How Does Doraemon Define the Word 'Friend'?

DoraemonDefinition of FriendAnime PhilosophyInterpersonal RelationshipsCultural Analysis
Created At: 8/10/2025Updated At: 8/17/2025
Answer (1)

Hey! I'm really happy to chat about this topic. The concept of "friendship" in Doraemon is truly one of the warmest and most central parts of the work.

Fujiko F. Fujio never had Doraemon define "friend" like reading from a dictionary in the manga. Instead, he vividly brought the word "friend" to life through one story after another. If I, as a long-time fan, had to summarize it, "friends" in the world of Doraemon probably look something like this:

A Friend Is: Unconditional Companionship and Support

This is first embodied in the relationship between Doraemon and Nobita.

Think about it, what kind of person is Nobita? Lazy, cries easily, poor grades, bad at sports, always relying on others. In the real world, someone like this might struggle to make friends.

But what does Doraemon do?

  • You mess up, I help clean up. Nobita gets a zero on a test and gets scolded by his mom? Doraemon pulls out the "Memory Bread." Nobita gets bullied by Gian? Doraemon angrily pulls out a gadget to help him get even.
  • You're not alone. No matter how big the trouble Nobita faces, or even just tiny, trivial worries, Doraemon is always the first listener and supporter. Him just sitting beside Nobita, listening to him cry, is itself a powerful force.

This companionship isn't because "you're excellent, so I'll hang out with you," but rather "because you are you, I am here." This is probably Doraemon's most fundamental, and most moving, interpretation of "friend."

Simply put: A friend is the one willing to lend a hand and listen to you vent, no matter how much you suck.

A Friend Is: Accepting Your Imperfections, Including Arguments and Forgiveness

If Doraemon and Nobita represent idealized friendship, then the group of Nobita, Gian, Suneo, and Shizuka is very real.

  • Gian (Takeshi Goda): Bullies Nobita daily, steals his comics and toys, and frequently "treats" him to a beating.
  • Suneo (Honekawa Suneo): Loves to show off, always flaunting his new toys in front of Nobita, and often joins Gian in mocking him.

Does this look like friendship? Not really. But the amazing part is here:

Whenever it's time for a movie special, when they all go on adventures to other worlds and face real danger, you discover:

  • Gian is always the bravest. He'll stand in front of Nobita, shouting "I'll protect Nobita!" The contrast between his usual "bullying" and this moment of "protection" is stark, making you feel that deep down, he considers Nobita one of his own.
  • Suneo, though cowardly, never betrays. He might cry out in fear, but ultimately, he always chooses to stand with the group.

Their friendship is full of flaws – jealousy, showing off, bullying – but it also has a bottom line. After fights and arguments, the next day on the vacant lot baseball field, they still gather together. This cycle of "today we're enemies, tomorrow we're still pals" is very close to our real childhood experiences.

Simply put: True friends know all your flaws, will argue with you, but when it really counts, they'll absolutely be on your side.

A Friend Is: Shared Experiences Make True Friends

Friendship in Doraemon isn't built on empty words, but forged through shared experiences, time and time again.

  • From small things like doing homework together, playing baseball, chatting in the vacant lot.
  • To big adventures like traveling back to the Cretaceous to see dinosaurs, fighting aliens in the depths of space, or battling side-by-side in the demon world.

These shared memories, whether joyful, thrilling, or embarrassing, are like invisible threads binding them tightly together. The value of friendship is precisely embodied in these unique "we did this together..." experiences.

Simply put: A friend is the one with whom you share the most "exclusive memories."

A Friend Is: For You, I Am Willing

This is the highest level of friendship – empathy and sacrifice.

The most classic examples are the stories "Farewell, Doraemon" and "Doraemon Comes Back."

When Doraemon has to return to the future, his biggest worry is Nobita. He's afraid Nobita will be bullied after he leaves. And Nobita, wanting Doraemon to leave with peace of mind, challenges Gian alone late at night. He gets beaten badly but refuses to give up, finally winning once through his own strength.

He didn't do it for himself, but to reassure his faraway friend.

This feeling of "I want you to be okay, even when I'm not there" and "To put your mind at ease, I'm willing to become better" is the most radiant part of friendship.

Simply put: A friend is someone who genuinely cares for your well-being and is even willing to change or sacrifice for you.

To Sum Up

So, in the world of Doraemon, "friend" isn't just a noun; it's more like a verb. It represents a series of actions and emotions:

  • Accompany
  • Support
  • Forgive
  • Experience
  • Protect
  • Sacrifice

It's not a label worn on the sleeve, but something woven into every time a gadget is pulled out, every time they fight side-by-side, every argument made up, and every tearful goodbye. It ultimately condenses into the simplest yet most powerful sentence:

"Don't worry, you're not alone."

Created At: 08-10 06:04:20Updated At: 08-10 09:30:57