Which character is manga artist Fujiko F. Fujio's favorite?

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Answer: Okay, regarding the question of which character Fujiko F. Fujio-sensei liked the most, it's a really interesting one that many Doraemon fans discuss. While we can't 100% get inside the author's head, based on his interviews during his lifetime and various materials, the answer is actually quite clear.

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The Answer: Nobita Nobi (のび太)

You might be a bit surprised, wondering why it's not the universally beloved Doraemon? Don't worry, let me explain it to you, and you'll understand.

Why Nobita?

You can think of Nobita as a kind of "avatar" or "projection" of Fujiko-sensei himself.

1. Nobita reflects the author himself Fujiko F. Fujio-sensei mentioned in many interviews that he was very much like Nobita as a child. He himself admitted that he wasn't good at sports, was a bit introverted, wasn't a top student, and loved daydreaming and reading comics all day. So, Nobita's flaws – like laziness, cowardice, and being overly dependent – are actually very real human weaknesses. Fujiko-sensei wasn't mocking him, but rather depicting an imperfect, yet very real, ordinary child. This child was his own former self. Creators always have a special affection for characters similar to themselves.

2. Nobita is the true core of the story Although the manga is titled Doraemon, think about it: who is the starting point for almost every story? It's Nobita.

   • Because Nobita gets bullied by Gian, he needs a gadget.
   • Because Nobita fails a test, he needs help.
   • Because Nobita wants to go somewhere to play, an adventure begins.

   Doraemon is the "all-purpose solution," but Nobita is the one "posing the problem." Without Nobita's various troubles and wishes, Doraemon's pocket loses its meaning. Therefore, the character of Nobita carries the emotional weight and driving force of the entire story.

3. Nobita represents the author's values: Kindness matters more than intelligence Despite all his flaws, Nobita has one invaluable virtue – kindness.

   • He genuinely feels sad for a stray cat or dog.
   • He tries to help others in trouble, holding no grudges (even if he messes up in the end).
   • In The Long Stories (the movies), Nobita is always the one who shows the greatest courage and compassion at critical moments.

   Through Nobita, Fujiko-sensei wanted to tell all readers: A person doesn't have to be smart or strong, but they must have a kind heart. This is the core message he most wanted to convey, and Nobita is the perfect vessel for this idea.

What about Doraemon?

Of course, Fujiko-sensei also liked Doraemon very, very much. But the nature of these two "likes" is somewhat different.

• His liking for Nobita is more like affection and empathy for his own child, or for that inner child part of himself.
• His liking for Doraemon is more like an embodiment of an ideal. Doraemon is the "ideal friend" in his mind, representing hope, the future, and unconditional love.

To summarize

So, you can understand it like this:

Doraemon is the "ideal companion" Fujiko-sensei created to give to all children like Nobita. Nobita is the "self" in Fujiko-sensei's heart – imperfect, needing care, but possessing an incredibly kind spirit.

Therefore, when it comes to the character he favored most deeply and had the strongest feelings for, it is undoubtedly that lovable yet frustrating Nobita Nobi.