Does Nobita Feel Jealousy or Admiration Toward Dekisugi Hidetoshi?

Here's the translation:

Hey! Talking about Nobita and Dekisugi, this is a particularly interesting topic in Doraemon. To be honest, Nobita's feelings towards Dekisugi can't be simply summed up with just the words "jealousy" or "admiration".

It's a very classic complex emotion dominated by jealousy, mixed with reluctant admiration.

Let's break it down from a few angles to make it easier to understand.

Main Component: Intense Jealousy (Makes up about 80%)

This is the easiest part to understand and the most obvious in the story. Why is Nobita jealous of Dekisugi?

1. The Core Reason: Shizuka! Let's be blunt, nine times out of ten, Nobita's jealousy is tied to Shizuka. Dekisugi is practically perfect:

   • Top Student: Can discuss homework and tackle difficult problems with Shizuka.
   • Wide Interests: Can cook, knows astronomy, loves reading – can bake cakes and stargaze with Shizuka.
   • Popular: Gentle personality, handsome, liked by both teachers and classmates.

   Every time Nobita wants to ask Shizuka out, only to find her happily doing homework or baking cookies with Dekisugi, that sense of defeat and jealousy practically oozes off the screen. He's jealous that Dekisugi gets to spend so much "high-quality" time with Shizuka so "naturally," time that Nobita himself can't be part of.

2. The Ultimate Form of the "Ideal Child Next Door" Dekisugi is literally the perfect template for the "ideal child from next door" that all parents talk about. He's not just smart; he's athletic and has an impeccable personality. This very "perfection" is a huge source of pressure and comparison for Nobita, who's full of flaws. Nobita's jealousy is also a kind of frustrated anger at his own perceived inadequacies.

Secondary Component: Unavoidable Admiration (Makes up about 20%)

Even though Nobita constantly thinks about using gadgets to "get one over" on Dekisugi, deep down he knows Dekisugi is genuinely impressive.

1. Objective Recognition of Excellence Nobita might be lazy, but he's not stupid. He knows Dekisugi's vast knowledge and outstanding abilities are real. In many movie specials or short stories involving complex problems, when faced with a scientific puzzle or needing logical reasoning, everyone (including Nobita) often thinks of Dekisugi first as the go-to helper. This "he's the one to ask" mindset is itself a form of recognition and admiration.

2. Dekisugi's Personal Charm The most crucial point is that Dekisugi is never a bad person. He never bullies or mocks Nobita because of his own excellence. On the contrary, he's always gentle, friendly, and even actively invites Nobita to join them. When Nobita asks him questions, he patiently explains.

   This "impossible to hate someone so nice" feeling prevents Nobita's jealousy from turning into pure "hatred." When faced with an opponent who's so perfect yet so genuinely kind, besides feeling jealous, it's hard not to feel a twinge of reluctant admiration deep down, thinking, "Well, he really is a good guy."

To Sum It Up

So, Nobita's feelings towards Dekisugi are like a specially mixed drink:

• The Base: A thick jealousy-infused vinegar, sour and bitter.
• The Top Layer: A light foam of admiration, acknowledging the other's excellence.
• The Stirring Straw: Shizuka, whose every action stirs the drink, constantly bringing the taste of jealousy back to the surface.

Put yourself in his shoes: if the person you liked had a "perfect rival" around them who was better than you at everything and genuinely nice to everyone, you'd probably be just like Nobita – grinding your teeth with jealousy one moment, yet forced to admit in your heart: "Man, that guy really is amazing!"

This complex emotion is also one of the reasons why the characters in Doraemon feel so real and relatable to our everyday lives.