In your opinion, what is the saddest moment in Doraemon?
Okay, this question is practically an eternal topic of discussion among Doraemon fans. While the series has many touching moments, when it comes to the "saddest," the answer in my heart is always the same.
Doraemon's Departure: An Unavoidable Farewell
In my view, the saddest moment in Doraemon is undoubtedly when Doraemon must return to the future and say goodbye to Nobita.
This scene appears in multiple versions across the manga and anime, but their core emotional impact is the same: filled with growth, reluctance, and a profound sense of "inevitability." This makes it even more heartbreaking than a simple parting or death.
Why is this moment the saddest?
Many might mention tear-jerkers like Nobita's Grandma or Nobita's Wedding Eve, which are indeed very moving. However, the sadness of "saying goodbye to Doraemon" strikes directly at the very foundation of the story.
1. The Inevitable Consequence of the Core Premise
We know from the very beginning that Doraemon comes from the future, and his mission is "to help Nobita achieve happiness." This naturally leads to the question: What happens when the mission is accomplished?
The answer is: He must leave.
This setup is like a ticking time bomb planted at the story's inception. We watch Nobita and Doraemon go through countless adventures together; their relationship has long surpassed "helper" and "helpee," becoming irreplaceable family and friends. Yet, the more Nobita grows and becomes independent, the closer he gets to the outcome they least want to face. This sense of destiny – "moving towards separation" – is the greatest source of sadness.
2. Nobita's Growth – So You Can Leave in Peace
In the classic chapter Goodbye, Doraemon, Doraemon finally has to return. Nobita is heartbroken and cries uncontrollably, but he suppresses his grief, wanting Doraemon to leave with peace of mind.
The most tear-jerking moment unfolds:
That night, Nobita encounters Gian alone outside. Gian bullies him as usual. But this time, Nobita doesn't run away, nor does he cry out for "Doraemon!" He gets up again and again, even beaten black and blue, determined to defeat Gian by his own strength.
Why does he do this? Because he wants to prove to Doraemon: "I can take care of myself even without you, so you can go back without worry."
This is no longer the cowardly Nobita who only relied on gadgets. This is his way of giving Doraemon the most poignant and heartfelt farewell gift. When Doraemon finds Nobita battered but satisfied, Doraemon silently stays by his side, tears streaming down his face. That scene, without a single line of dialogue, speaks volumes of reluctance and bittersweet relief.
(This scene is a classic in countless hearts)
3. "Liar's Juice" – Hope at the Brink of Despair
There's an even more heartbreaking version in the story Doraemon Comes Back, which takes place after Doraemon's departure.
After Doraemon leaves, Nobita's life returns to its starting point, but he strives to live independently. On April Fool's Day, Gian and Suneo trick him, falsely claiming "Doraemon is back," giving Nobita false hope.
Heartbroken, Nobita returns home and remembers a gadget Doraemon left behind – "Liar's Juice". Its effect is: after drinking it, everything you say becomes a lie (i.e., becomes the opposite of the truth).
In extreme sorrow and despair, Nobita utters the most insincere, yet most heartfelt words:
"Doraemon will never come back..."
As soon as the words leave his mouth, due to the potion's effect, the opposite happens – Doraemon really emerges from the closet. The two embrace and weep.
Why is this moment so sad? Because it pushes Nobita's despair to its peak. He must utterly abandon the hope that "Doraemon will return" in his heart and speak the most painful lie to achieve a miracle. This is a reunion bought with the deepest despair; the emotional tension is enough to make any viewer burst into tears instantly.
Conclusion
Therefore, Doraemon's departure is the saddest because it touches upon several fundamental emotional points:
- The Price of Growth: Growth means farewells, saying goodbye to the people or things we depend on and cherish.
- Proof of Love: Nobita proves his love for Doraemon in his own way – not by clinging, but by saying, "For your sake, I am willing to let go."
- Impact on the Audience: For those of us who grew up watching Doraemon, Doraemon feels like a part of our own childhood. His departure also symbolizes the end of our own childhood.
This moment is the most profound and concentrated expression of the theme of "love, growth, and farewell" in the entire Doraemon story.