Top 12 Most Touching Doraemon Episodes

One of the most heartfelt episodes, Night at the Galactic Railway is an unforgettable journey filled with emotions, shared by Nobita and his friends Jaian, Suneo, Shizuka, and Doraemon. The story offers meaningful life lessons, especially about kindness and the deep friendship among the group.

The story begins when Suneo brags about a luxury train trip he is taking, making Nobita feel jealous and upset. As usual, Doraemon doesn't support this behavior, but Nobita accidentally finds a ticket to the Galactic Express that Doraemon had dropped. He joins the adventure with Shizuka, Jaian, and Suneo, and the four embark on the journey together.

The train is managed by a robot conductor, and strangely, the only passengers on the ancient, worn-down train are the group and the conductor. As the train begins to experience power surges and strange phenomena, the group feels uneasy and asks the conductor what’s going on. The conductor reveals that ever since an incident involving “that thing,” no one uses this type of train anymore. The trip was the final one for the Galactic Express. On the return leg of the journey, an accident occurs when Suneo and Jaian play around and are nearly caught in a deadly collision with a high-speed train. Just in time, Doraemon appears to save them, realizing that Nobita had used his ticket.

As the group thinks they are out of danger and about to head home safely, a devastating meteor shower begins. Meanwhile, the luxurious train they encountered earlier has been caught in the disaster. Nobita and his friends decide to risk their lives to save the passengers of the luxury train. The daring rescue operation ends successfully, but the group’s challenges don’t stop there. A massive asteroid is heading straight for the Saburo train. If it hits, the consequences would be catastrophic. To avoid disaster, a cannon shot needs to hit the asteroid’s center, and Nobita, with his surprising marksmanship, is tasked with this important job. He successfully makes the shot, and the group celebrates in triumph.

The adventure concludes, leaving lasting memories for everyone involved. It becomes the most heroic journey ever undertaken by the Saburo train, marking its final, unforgettable voyage. The passengers will never forget the trip, even though no future journeys will ever be quite the same.

The Heartfelt Rebirth of Doraemon is the title of Episode 102 in the Doraemon animated series, and it's part of a special annual episode aired every year on September 3rd, Doraemon’s birthday.

Doraemon Ep 102 tells the touching story of Doraemon's 'rebirth'. The episode begins with Doraemon on his way back to the future when he meets Dopaemon, a more talented and successful robot. Feeling inferior to Dopaemon, Doraemon grows sad about his own imperfection. During this moment of self-doubt, Doraemon is suddenly kidnapped by a mysterious man while at the Masushiba robot factory, without knowing why.

Meanwhile, Nobita and his friends Jaian, Suneo, and Shizuka are playing together when Dorami and Sewashi unexpectedly arrive from the time machine, delivering the news about Doraemon's mysterious disappearance. After learning the news, the group sets off for the future to find Doraemon. It is here that Nobita begins to recount the story of how Doraemon was created, revealing that during his assembly, a lightning strike had hit Doraemon, causing him to lose an important screw, which explains why he is clumsy and less efficient than other robots.

In their search for Doraemon, the group faces numerous challenges. With the help of Dopaemon and another cat robot friend of Doraemon’s, they track down the location of Doraemon. Despite their best efforts, they are unable to find him, and the mystery deepens. After much investigation, they deduce that only the Masushiba factory could be where Doraemon is being held, so they continue their journey with renewed determination.

At the same time, Doraemon is being thoroughly examined by a top-tier robot inventor who plans to 'rebuild' him, offering him a new life in order to perfect him like other robots. Despite having the chance to become a flawless robot, Doraemon feels sadness and regret rather than joy. He longs for the memories of his time with Nobita, and the thought of losing those precious moments fills him with sorrow. Thus, Doraemon refuses the procedure, even as the inventor pushes forward.

In the final moment, just as Doraemon is about to undergo his transformation, Nobita appears and the two share a heartfelt conversation. The bond of friendship between them moves the inventor so deeply that he agrees to cancel the rebirth. He recognizes that Doraemon’s most valuable 'screw' is not a mechanical part, but the friendship and emotions he shares with Nobita.

Doraemon - Doranuki in the Dark & The Mischievous Ferret is a special episode in the annual Doraemon birthday series, marking the 80th anniversary of the birth of the creator of the manga, Fujiko Fujio.

The episode opens in space, where a young girl named Nina is on a mission to eliminate an entity called Moku – a monstrous creature that can grow to gigantic proportions, wreak havoc, forget everything, and cause great destruction. Nina is also a fan of the popular TV character Paaman.

The story begins when Nobita, Doraemon, Shizuka, Jaian, and Suneo visit a mountain and meet Nina. They decide to use one of Doraemon’s gadgets to build a treehouse where Nina can stay and complete her mission. During this time, Suneo and Jaian share some strange occurrences that have been happening in the city, with a giant purple ferret being the main suspect. Nina reveals that Moku is responsible for these strange events, but no one knows yet who has been possessed by Moku.

The situation intensifies when Nobita notices Doraemon acting strangely, such as constantly hiccupping and eating more than usual. It becomes clear that something is wrong when Nobita sees Doraemon leave the house in the middle of the night and transform into a giant purple ferret, wreaking havoc on the mountain. Doraemon is in a state of confusion, shifting between his normal self and a monstrous version of himself, trying to capture Moku, but failing despite asking his sister Dorami for help.

In the end, to save Doraemon and return him to normal, Nobita and his friends, along with Nina and Dorami, work together to capture Moku. However, it's difficult to approach Doraemon, who is now in his giant ferret form. Just when all hope seems lost, the heroic Paaman – Nina’s idol – appears, and together they manage to capture the dangerous Moku entity.

Doraemon wakes up to the relief of everyone, especially Nobita, and Nina successfully completes her mission while fulfilling her dream of meeting Paaman. The episode ends with a warm birthday celebration for Doraemon.

Continuing with another special short episode, Doraemon's 100-Year Memory Box was created to celebrate Doraemon's 100th birthday and is sure to stir up emotions for all viewers.

The story begins with Nobita, Jaian, Suneo, and Shizuka planning to bury a memory box, with the idea that they will dig it up in the future and it will be a priceless treasure. Nobita finds a round box belonging to Doraemon to use for this task. However, after burying it, Doraemon arrives and explains that the box is actually a special gadget called the Memory Box, functioning like a time machine. Once buried, it travels back to a set time and delivers its contents to the designated recipient. Unfortunately, the group’s belongings are mysteriously sent 100 years into the past (due to Nobita accidentally pressing a button), and Nobita and Doraemon must travel back to retrieve the box, where they meet their ancestors and friends from the past.

After their journey, Nobita comes up with the idea to send a gift to Sewashi 100 years in the future, and Doraemon agrees. At this moment, Doraemon recalls a happy memory from his own early days, but he forgets it just as quickly. Doraemon later realizes that instead of sending a gift to Sewashi, Nobita sent a photo of them together and a letter congratulating Doraemon on his birth. This revelation worries Doraemon, as the photo shows him with broken ears and a pale blue color, which could cause the newly created Doraemon to experience a crisis and change the future. Therefore, Nobita and Doraemon embark on a mission to prevent the memory box from delivering the gift to Doraemon a century later.

The journey is full of challenges as they are constantly hindered by suspicious figures and red lights. The real danger occurs when Nobita and Doraemon sneak into Masushiba Corporation—the place where Doraemon was created—and are mistaken for intruders. They are thrown into a storage basement to be melted down with other scrap, with only Nobita able to escape because Doraemon, being a metal robot, is stuck due to magnetic forces. Nobita refuses to leave Doraemon behind and, in a last-ditch effort, uses his wits to save them both from the deadly furnace—proving the strength of their friendship.

After escaping, they continue their search for the memory box, finally breaking into a room where they can confront the box. In a rare moment of competence, Nobita helps them find a hidden passage and races to stop the box. Just as the box is about to deliver its contents, they are stopped by a security robot, but Doraemon is able to act in time. In a final twist, as the photo is about to be taken by the future Doraemon, a mouse chases after him, and in the chaos, the current Doraemon retrieves the photo. The box now only contains the letter Nobita wrote for the newborn Doraemon: 'Happy Birthday, Doraemon.' This simple message fills the young Doraemon with happiness, even though he doesn’t know who sent it. The current Doraemon also recalls that cherished memory and thanks Nobita for the letter, while Nobita expresses his gratitude to Doraemon for always being there for him.

In a special episode celebrating Doraemon's annual birthday, The Great Escape from Arigato Prison is undoubtedly one of the most touching Doraemon episodes to date.

The story begins with Nobita, the lazy and clumsy boy, being scolded and punished for his mistakes. In his frustration, Nobita uses Doraemon’s emergency pouch to take out the “What If” phone and wishes for a world where no one ever scolds anyone again, despite Doraemon’s warnings. As a result, the world changes, and no one is allowed to reprimand anyone anymore. Even a professor who usually lectures people advises others not to get angry or criticize anyone.

With no consequences, Nobita acts irresponsibly and does whatever he pleases, causing Doraemon to grow disappointed and eventually retreat to the future. However, Doraemon and another robot teacher are suddenly arrested and sent to Arigato Prison for their past offenses of scolding others, a serious crime in the future. Arigato Prison is full of inmates who have been jailed for criticizing others, and they are forced to work tirelessly in diamond mines for the corrupt prison warden and the professor’s descendants. In the prison, Doraemon meets an old robot, a former lecturer, and another robot responsible for fixing other people’s mistakes. Together, they form an alliance to escape, despite the difficulties. Luckily, the old robot has spent 30 years digging a secret tunnel, and now it is time to put it to use.

Meanwhile, Nobita starts to feel guilty and wants to make things right. Unfortunately, the “What If” phone has been stolen by the professor’s descendant. While waiting for Doraemon to return so they can celebrate his birthday, Dorami urgently informs them of the situation. So, Nobita and the others set out to rescue Doraemon, with the help of the robot teacher’s student. Unsure how to infiltrate the prison, Nobita comes up with the idea to enter the emergency pouch and use Doraemon’s magical gadgets to get inside alone, not wanting to drag anyone else into danger. Using the gadgets, Nobita finds Doraemon and the other prisoners, but they are caught in the act of trying to escape. The group manages to break free and make it to the surface, but the danger isn’t over when a massive stone ant robot, symbolizing the prison, begins to come to life like a giant monster.

In their most desperate moment, Suneo, Shizuka, Jaian, and Dorami, along with the robot teacher’s student, arrive to save the day. However, they struggle to control the giant stone ant robot. Just in time, the old robot and the robot who fixes mistakes manage to deactivate the prison doors, allowing the oppressed prisoners to escape. The prisoners, fueled by years of anger, succeed in taking down the giant robot. Meanwhile, the professor’s descendant, after a fencing duel with Doraemon, is frustrated and trapped by his own rules, arrested by the prison system. Eventually, Nobita restores the world to its original state, realizing that people scold him out of love and concern for his well-being.

The birthday party for Doraemon is held once more in the past, and the world returns to normal, as though nothing unusual had ever happened. The professor is back to his normal self, and though Nobita is still scolded, he feels warm and happy despite a tinge of sadness.

Released in 2000 and based on the original short stories by Fujiko Fujio, Doraemon - A Memory of Grandma remains one of the most emotionally impactful episodes of the series due to its heartfelt message.

One beautiful morning, while Nobita and Doraemon were helping his mother clean the storage room, Nobita stumbles upon an old teddy bear, Kuma. This bear was a gift from his grandmother when he was little, and seeing it brings a flood of memories. Moved, Nobita decides to travel back in time to visit his grandmother once again.

In the past, Nobita meets his young mother, who catches him sneaking around. He also gets a chance to take revenge on the young Jaian and Suneo, who once stole his candy. At the same time, he encounters young Shizuka, who helps him out. However, as he looks from a distance, Nobita realizes how thoughtless and unkind he was toward his grandmother, which fills him with regret and sorrow. He recalls the time when his grandmother carried him to buy the Kuma bear, only for him to later tear it apart because she couldn’t afford fireworks. This memory deeply pains Nobita, and he picks up the bear with a heavy heart. To his surprise, young Suneo and Jaian step in to defend the bear, and this act of kindness moves Nobita, making him realize that they, too, were good friends.

Determined to return the bear, Nobita goes back to the past, but he’s caught again by his young self and mother, who become suspicious. In a panic, he runs to his grandmother’s room, where she covers for him. He confesses that he’s Nobita from the future, and to his relief, his grandmother believes him, perhaps having suspected it all along. Nobita apologizes and promises to fulfill her wishes. When he returns to the present, he is overjoyed to see that his mother has mended the Kuma bear, filling him with gratitude and happiness.

Not a special episode, nor an adventurous tale, but Doraemon Ep 211 - Shizuka and the Ancient Cherry Blossom Tree is one of the most beautiful and emotionally moving short films in the series.

The story begins with Jaian climbing an old cherry blossom tree and breaking a branch, which upsets Shizuka. Soon after, a worker appears, announcing that the tree will be cut down to make way for a new road. This news shocks Shizuka, who has many fond memories of the tree from her childhood.

Feeling helpless, Shizuka asks Doraemon and Nobita for help. They initially succeed in stopping the workers from cutting down the tree using Doraemon’s gadgets. However, anticipating that the tree would still be cut down, the group decides to move the ancient cherry blossom tree to Taika Mountain, a place where it would be safe. To their surprise, the tree only circles around the neighborhood, revisiting old friends before returning to the schoolyard, where it had grown for years, and where it would be felled the following day.

With no other options, Doraemon calls upon the spirit of the tree, an elderly spirit who is as ancient as the tree itself. Doraemon persuades the spirit to follow him, and the spirit praises Taika Mountain as a beautiful place. Yet, he reveals that the tree does not need to go there. The tree’s memories and happiness are rooted in the place it has always known, surrounded by the children who had grown up with it. The most important thing is not where the tree lives, but the joy it finds in its memories with the children. Shizuka begs the tree to go with them, and the spirit replies that the tree’s happiness lies in its home, where it can live with its cherished memories. As the tree relives its past, the group of friends gathers under the cherry blossoms, illuminated by the moonlight and surrounded by falling petals. Nobita and his friends smile through their tears, offering the tree one final gift.

This episode carries deep meaning, touching on the importance of nature, memories, and the joy of living in harmony with the environment.

Unlike other short episodes or special birthday celebrations for Doraemon, Doraemon - The Day Nobita Was Born is a deeply emotional short film celebrating Nobita’s own birthday, leaving viewers with a powerful sense of reflection.

The story begins with Nobita eagerly awaiting birthday wishes, only to be reprimanded by his mother for failing to complete his homework. She allows him to take a break but insists he finish his summer homework later. However, in his frustration and desire to play, Nobita ends up upsetting both his parents, who scold him severely. Feeling down on his special day, Nobita makes an impulsive decision to run away from home.

He first visits Shizuka’s house but feels out of place when he sees her mother adjusting her dress for a ballet lesson. He then goes to Suneo’s house, where Suneo is busy assembling a robot and being fed by his mother, making Nobita feel even more isolated. Finally, he visits Jaian’s house, where Jaian is being forced to deliver packages, but Nobita is struck by the kindness and concern Jaian’s mother shows him despite her usually strict demeanor. Feeling abandoned, Nobita sits alone by the riverbank. It is then that Doraemon arrives, and Nobita asks him a heartfelt question: “Were my parents happy when I was born?” To answer this, Doraemon and Nobita travel back to the day of his birth.

On that fateful day, Nobita witnesses his father rushing home from work, full of excitement, having just learned that his wife had given birth to him. In his eagerness, Nobita’s father forgets that both his wife and baby are still in the hospital. After a gentle reminder from Nobita, his father rushes to the hospital, unable to contain his joy. At the hospital, Nobita witnesses the overwhelming love and affection his parents have for him, even though, as a newborn, Nobita was far from perfect. This leads to a humorous but touching moment when his father scolds him for calling himself ugly. Nobita also learns that his parents had high hopes for him from the very beginning, naming him “Nobi Nobita” in the hope that he would grow up to be someone useful to society and live a meaningful life. This realization motivates Nobita to reflect on his behavior and resolve to change for the better. He plants a young tree and returns to the present.

In the present day, Nobita’s tree has grown tall and strong, and as a heavy rain falls, he sees his worried parents searching for him. They apologize for their harsh words earlier, and Nobita feels remorse for how he had treated them. When he returns home, his best friends Suneo, Shizuka, and Jaian are waiting to celebrate his birthday with him. A warm, heartfelt party ensues, filled with love from both his parents and his friends.

This episode stands as a testament to the deep moral and emotional value of family bonds, growth, and the realization of one’s responsibilities in life.

• Stand by Me Doraemon - Doraemon: Best Friends Forever: A 3D Japanese animated movie released in 2014, directed by Yamazaki Takashi and Yagi Ryūichi. Based on several short stories from the original Doraemon manga, this film was edited into a full feature film to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the late author Fujiko F. Fujio’s birth.
• Nobita in Nobita’s Heart
• The Snowman! We Will Never Forget You!
• The Snowman Comes to the City
• Doraemon: New Nobita and the Iron Men - Wings of Angels
• Doraemon Also Wants a Mother

One of the special episodes celebrating Doraemon's birthday, Battle!! Robot Dog vs Robot Cat runs for 44 minutes, offering viewers an unforgettable emotional experience.

The episode begins in the future, the 22nd century, where the robot manufacturing company M.S. decides to recall all the robot cats, including Doraemon, in favor of a new robot breed—Robot Dogs—intending to increase their profits.

Back in the present day, Doraemon returns, eager to celebrate his birthday. Nobita, too, has prepared a special gift for him. However, after being scolded by his teacher at school, Nobita, as usual, comes home crying, only to find himself hugging a Robot Dog named Wonderful instead of Doraemon. Doraemon returns to find Nobita quietly doing his homework under Wonderful's watchful eyes, feeling upset at being replaced.

Things take a darker turn when Doraemon discovers that the Robot Dog empire is advancing even in the present time, and he receives a distress call from his sister Dorami and their old friends. He must save them and all the robot cats from this threat, no matter the cost, and also find the Nobita he once knew.

After finishing his homework, Nobita senses something is wrong and, with Sewashi's help, travels to the future to rescue Doraemon. Robot Dog Wonderful, tricked by Sewashi, discovers the gift Nobita planned to give Doraemon—a photo album filled with their memories. Touched, Wonderful decides to help Nobita and the robot cats, defecting from the Robot Dog side.

In the future, Nobita pleads with the council to cancel the order to recall the robot cats and must take an exam on all subjects to save Doraemon. Despite his lack of knowledge and physical limitations, Nobita perseveres and, with his deep friendship with Doraemon, manages to overcome his own weaknesses. However, this does not guarantee the robot cats' safety, as the M.S. CEO manipulates public opinion to favor robot dogs over cats.

The final showdown with the CEO becomes inevitable. With Wonderful’s cunning and Doraemon’s gadgets, aided by Nobita and Sewashi, they foil the CEO’s plans using Doraemon’s legendary “headbutt technique.”

The episode concludes with a celebration of the robot cats' birthday as the robot council acknowledges their essential role in family life. The Robot Dogs are not recalled but instead chosen by families based on their skills, particularly Wonderful’s intelligence. Everything ends happily, except for Nobita, who is left to finish his homework—according to Wonderful, all the efforts to save the robot cats were to ensure Nobita completes his tasks. Naturally, this is a playful lie to spare Wonderful from embarrassment.

Doraemon Ep 224 is widely regarded as one of the most touching episodes, showcasing the deep value of friendship in the series.

Continuing the special episodes celebrating Doraemon's birthday, episode 185, titled A Long Day for Doraemon, is one of the most touching and memorable episodes, earning praise from viewers of all ages.

The notorious and dangerous robot criminal Gencha has just completed a bank robbery but failed to escape the future police, who capture and severely injure him. He is taken to a robot hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Doraemon and Nobita are in another one of their typical arguments, this time over doughnuts. Seizing the opportunity, Nobita asks Dorami, Doraemon's sister, to take him somewhere, allowing him to secretly prepare a birthday gift for Doraemon. Dorami convinces Doraemon to go for a routine health check-up, and coincidentally, the hospital room where Doraemon is being treated happens to be the same one where the criminal Gencha is recovering.

Through a slip-up involving Doraemon's magic pocket, Gencha switches bodies with Doraemon. Now, Gencha inhabits Doraemon's body, while Doraemon is trapped in the body of the wanted criminal. From here, the story takes off. In Doraemon's body, Gencha returns to the 20th century with Nobita to hide, but during his time there, surrounded by the peace of nature and the warmth of friendship, he begins to change. He starts to enjoy moments like playing baseball with Nobita and is moved by the bond of friendship, which he never had before.

Meanwhile, in Gencha’s body, Doraemon is on the run, constantly being hunted. He seeks help from Sewashi, Nobita’s great-grandson, but his true identity is hard to prove due to his criminal appearance. Doraemon faces numerous dangers, from electric shocks to being cornered, but he remains determined to return to his true self and restore his friendship with Nobita. In the process, he finds a ruby that Nobita needs, and this small gesture reminds him of their deep bond.

In the end, the power of their friendship wins, as Nobita’s understanding and trust in Doraemon touch Gencha’s heart. Realizing the importance of love and affection, Gencha decides to return to his original form and start a new life, having learned a valuable lesson from his time with Nobita and Doraemon.

Indeed, Doraemon Ep 185 is an emotional episode that brings tears to anyone who watches it, showcasing the admirable friendship between Doraemon and Nobita, and the surprising kindness of the seemingly villainous Gencha.

Doraemon Ep 62 is a heartfelt short film based on a chapter from the sixth volume of the Doraemon manga. During the adaptation, several new details were added, making the story even more emotional and deepening the admiration for the beautiful friendship between Nobita and Doraemon.

On a regular day, Nobita is bullied by the giant Jaian and rushes home, hoping to borrow one of Doraemon's gadgets to fight back. However, today is different. Doraemon doesn't offer his usual support. Instead, he tells Nobita that he must return to the future—this time for good, leaving Nobita behind.

Crushed by the news, Nobita runs away in tears, struggling to accept the reality. After some reflection and a heart-to-heart with his father, Nobita comes to terms with Doraemon's departure. He resolves to cherish every moment he has left with him.

To bid farewell, Nobita's family hosts a special dinner, complete with Doraemon's favorite dish—doughnuts—and a heartfelt thank you from his parents. That night, under a beautiful moonlit sky, neither Nobita nor Doraemon can sleep. Nobita comes up with an idea to reassure Doraemon: he challenges Jaian to a baseball match, determined to prove that he can manage on his own, even without Doraemon's help. Unaware of the challenge, Doraemon searches for Nobita and finally finds him victorious, despite being injured. Doraemon tends to his wounds and watches him fall asleep. The next morning, Nobita wakes up to find that Doraemon is gone, leaving behind a special gadget—the lie pill, which makes whatever is said turn into the opposite of the truth.

After Doraemon's departure, Nobita is not as strong as the night before. When Jaian and Suneo tell him that Doraemon has returned, Nobita rejoices—only to realize it was an April Fool's prank. Devastated, Nobita takes the lie pill in a moment of frustration and pranks Jaian and Suneo. But his joy is short-lived as he begins to miss Doraemon, and in an accidental confession to his mother, he unknowingly declares that Doraemon will never return. To his surprise, Doraemon reappears—this time, as a mechanical version, the result of the lie pill's effects. Both friends make a promise to stay together forever.

This touching film showcases the enduring friendship between Nobita and Doraemon, leaving an emotional impact on all who watch it.