What Would Happen If Doraemon's Bell Was Stolen?

Okay, about what happens if Doraemon's bell gets stolen – this is a topic fans love to discuss! It actually has happened in the story, and there's even a whole movie dedicated to this major event.

Simply put, if the bell is stolen, two main things happen: one is functional, and the other is emotional/spiritual, with the latter being far more serious!

The Official Answer: Referencing the Movie Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum

This movie revolves entirely around "Doraemon's bell being stolen."

In the film, Doraemon's bell is stolen by a mysterious figure called "Phantom Thief DX." As soon as the bell is gone, Doraemon reacts dramatically. He instantly:

Becomes extremely panicked and confused: He loses all composure, seems utterly lost, and is completely unable to think clearly.
Starts acting like a normal cat: He becomes afraid of mice (though he usually is), even starts meowing, rolling around on the ground, and his intelligence and abilities drastically decline.

At first, everyone thought the bell must be some incredibly powerful gadget, hence Doraemon's intense reaction. But the movie reveals a deeply touching secret:

The bell he wears now is actually just an ordinary bell.

The real "Cat Summoning Bell" (a gadget that could summon all nearby cats) broke long ago. The current one is a replacement given to him by his little sister, Dorami. The reason he treasures it so much, valuing it even more than his own life, is entirely because it represents the emotional bond and precious memories between him and his sister.

For him, this is more important than any high-tech gadget. So, losing the bell is primarily a devastating emotional blow.

What actual functions does the bell have?

Although the movie states it's just a normal bell, throughout the Doraemon series, this bell has been attributed some special functions:

Summoning Mini-Doras (the main function): In many episodes, Doraemon shakes the bell to summon his helpers – the Mini-Dora army. These smaller Doraemon copies can repair Doraemon himself or carry out special tasks. Without the bell, this crucial way to call for help is lost.
Cat Summoning Function (original setting): As mentioned, its original setting was as a gadget called the "Cat Summoning Bell," which could attract all nearby cats. However, this setting was later overridden by the "broken" explanation.
Mini Camera/Recorder: In some early manga or anime settings, the bell was occasionally depicted as having camera or recording functions, but this wasn't a commonly used feature.

To Summarize

So, what happens if Doraemon's bell is stolen?

Functionally: He loses the ability to summon the "Mini-Doras," his important helpers.
Emotionally/Spiritually (this is key!): He immediately "crashes," falling into extreme panic and confusion. His behavior regresses to that of an ordinary, somewhat silly cat. This isn't because the bell itself has some mind-controlling magic, but because the bond of sibling affection with Dorami, embodied in the bell, is irreplaceable to him.

So, even though it's just a small bell, for Doraemon, it's part of his identity and the most tender, precious treasure in his heart! Anyone who dares to touch it is essentially issuing the greatest challenge to Doraemon and Nobita's group.