What are the widely circulated fake endings in Doraemon, and what is the officially recognized ending?

Hello! It's great to chat with you about this topic. The "ending" of Doraemon is practically a shared "childhood mystery" for our generation. Many have heard some heartbreaking versions, but the truth is actually quite heartwarming.

Let me break it down for you in plain language: those widely circulated fake endings versus the official stance.

About Doraemon's Ending: The "Legends" We Believed and the Official "Answer"

When it comes to Doraemon's ending, it's a real breeding ground for urban legends. As kids, we probably all heard a few versions, some incredibly sad, tricking many out of their tears. Let's look at the most widespread fake endings:

1. The Most Famous & Heart-Wrenching: The "Vegetative State/Autism" Ending

This version has several variations, but the core is similar:

Synopsis: Actually, Doraemon doesn't exist, nor do the magical gadgets or adventures. Everything is just a dream of the protagonist, Nobita. In reality, Nobita is a child in a vegetative state (or with severe autism) lying in a hospital bed. He imagined Doraemon, the all-powerful companion, to find some joy and companionship in his fantasy world.
The Classic "Dead Battery" Branch: In this version, Doraemon is real, but one day he suddenly runs out of power and stops moving. Nobita faces a cruel choice: replace the battery, but Doraemon would lose all memories of their time together; or leave Doraemon as he is, waiting for future technology. To allow his friend to wake up "whole," the once lazy Nobita starts studying diligently. He eventually becomes a top scientist, repairs Doraemon himself, and says, "Doraemon, I'm home."

The Truth Is: Though filled with tragedy and motivational elements, making it spread widely (many even believed it), this ending is completely fake! It was created by a Japanese university student named "Tajima Yasue" in 1986 as a doujinshi (fan comic). Its powerful storytelling led to it being mistakenly passed off as the official ending.

2. The More "Sci-Fi" Ending: The "Time Police" Ending

Synopsis: Doraemon comes from the future. His use of future gadgets to interfere with the past actually violates "Time Laws." Eventually, the Time Patrol (the Time Police) discovers this. They send agents to the present, arrest Doraemon as an illegal robot, and forcibly take him back to the future. Nobita can only say goodbye in tears.

Truth is: This ending sounds more plausible than the "Vegetative State" one, but it is also fake. It feels more like a fan's logical extrapolation based on the Doraemon universe, not the work of the original author.

So, What is the Official Ending?

The answer might surprise you:

There is no official, definitive, single final ending for Doraemon.

The reason is simple and a bit sad: the original author, Fujiko F. Fujio, passed away while the manga was still serialized and couldn't personally conclude this great story.

However, Fujiko-sensei did create several short stories that can be seen as "endings." These are official and widely considered the closest versions to an ending.

Officially Recognized "Ending-like" Stories

The two most famous ones form a pair:

"Farewell, Doraemon" (Tankōbon Vol. 6)
- Story: Doraemon must return to the 22nd century that night for some reason. Nobita is heartbroken and cries, but he doesn't want Doraemon to worry about him. To prove he can manage on his own, he challenges the bully Gian alone that night. Though beaten badly, he refuses to give up and eventually makes Gian admit defeat. Doraemon, watching secretly, sees this and can finally leave, reassured and with tears in his eyes.
- Significance: This chapter is incredibly moving, showcasing Nobita's growth and their deep friendship. Many consider it the spiritual "true ending."
"Doraemon Comes Back" (Tankōbon Vol. 7)
- Story: This is the sequel to the above story. After Doraemon leaves, Nobita tries to be strong but misses him terribly. On April Fool's Day, Gian and Suneo trick him. Heartbroken, he remembers a gadget Doraemon left behind – the "Liar's Juice" (Uso 800). Drinking it makes everything you say become a lie. In despair in his room, Nobita says, "Doraemon will never come back..."
- Result: Because of the juice's effect, this statement becomes a lie, so... Doraemon "POOF!" really comes back! They hug each other, and the story concludes perfectly.

Together, these two chapters form a beautiful "Farewell - Growth - Reunion" story loop. They can be seen as a temporary ending while cleverly allowing the story to continue. Many Doraemon anime episodes and movies have adapted this storyline.

To Summarize

Fake Endings: The "Vegetative State," "Autism," "Taken by Time Police," etc., endings circulating online are all fake. They are fan creations or urban legends.
Official Ending: There is no final, definitive ending. However, the official stories "Farewell, Doraemon" and "Doraemon Comes Back" are the widely accepted, heartwarming "quasi-endings."

In fact, Fujiko-sensei himself expressed a desire for Doraemon's story to keep growing alongside children, without a fixed endpoint. From this perspective, Doraemon's story never truly ends – and perhaps that's the best ending of all!