by After more than two decades of entertaining Indian audiences on television, Doraemon is finally heading to cinemas across India.
The highly anticipated Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil, the 45th feature film in the long-running Doraemon movie franchise, will be released nationwide in India on October 2, 2026. The film will be available in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, giving fans in different parts of the country the opportunity to experience Doraemon, Nobita, Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo on the big screen. Select theatres will also offer the movie in 4DX.
The India theatrical release is being handled by TV Asahi and PVR INOX Pictures, while Black White Orange (BWO) is leading the film’s India marketing, fan-engagement, and consumer-experience campaign.
The release is particularly significant because Doraemon has been a familiar part of Indian television culture for more than 20 years. The upcoming theatrical launch gives longtime fans an opportunity to experience one of Doraemon’s latest adventures in a cinema environment while introducing the franchise to a new generation of children.
And the India connection does not end with the movie.
As part of the celebration, a special Doraemon episode set in India will also be broadcast in Japan in November. Titled “Namaste! Nobita, Studying Abroad in India,” the episode follows Nobita and Doraemon as they travel to Delhi after Nobita decides that he wants to experience studying abroad. The special will air on November 7, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. JST across the TV Asahi network of 24 stations.
Together, the theatrical release and the India-themed television special create a unique cross-cultural moment for the Doraemon franchise.
Doraemon Movie to Release Across India on October 2
The Indian theatrical release of Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026.
The film will be released in:
- Hindi
- Tamil
- Telugu
The theatrical release is being presented by TV Asahi in association with PVR INOX Pictures. Select 4DX cinemas will also screen the movie, giving audiences an opportunity to experience the underwater adventure with additional motion and environmental effects.
The movie is based on the world created by Fujiko F. Fujio and is a modern remake of the 1983 Doraemon film Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil.
The new film was released in Japan on February 27, 2026, and is the 45th theatrical feature in the Doraemon movie franchise. It reimagines the classic underwater adventure with updated animation, action, and a new cinematic presentation.
What Is Doraemon: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil About?
The story begins when Nobita and his friends cannot agree on where to go camping during their summer vacation.
Doraemon comes up with an unusual solution: instead of camping on land, the group decides to go underwater.
Using Doraemon’s futuristic gadgets, Nobita, Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo are able to explore the deep ocean as though it were a completely different world.
Their peaceful underwater adventure takes an unexpected turn when they discover a mysterious sunken ship and encounter a young man named El.
El is connected to the Mu Federation, an underwater civilization hidden beneath the ocean.
The underwater people have their own history, culture, and relationship with the surface world. However, they do not immediately trust Nobita and his friends.
The situation becomes even more dangerous when the legendary Devil’s Rock Castle begins to move.
What initially looks like an exciting camping trip quickly becomes a much larger adventure involving the fate of the underwater world—and potentially the entire Earth.
The story combines fantasy, science fiction, comedy, friendship, and adventure, making it suitable for both younger viewers and longtime Doraemon fans.
A Modern Remake of a 1983 Doraemon Classic
One of the most interesting aspects of the new movie is its connection to the original 1983 film.
Doraemon: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil revisits one of the classic long-form Doraemon adventures more than four decades after the original movie was released.
The new film retains the basic concept of Nobita and his friends discovering an unknown civilization beneath the ocean while introducing a modern visual style and updated storytelling.
The remake is directed by Tetsuo Yajima and written by Isao Murayama. The animation is produced by Shin-Ei Animation, the studio closely associated with the Doraemon anime franchise.
For older fans, this makes the movie both a new adventure and a return to a familiar part of Doraemon history.
For younger viewers who have never seen the original, it works as a standalone underwater adventure featuring the characters they already know.
Why the India Release Is Significant
Doraemon has had a strong television presence in India for many years.
For generations of Indian children, Doraemon and Nobita have been familiar faces on television. The series has also become part of the wider children’s entertainment landscape, with the characters appearing in merchandise, promotional campaigns, events, and other forms of entertainment.
The 2026 theatrical release takes that relationship to another level.
Instead of watching Doraemon at home, Indian audiences can now experience the franchise as a shared cinema event.
The movie’s release in three Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu—also reflects the effort to make the film accessible to audiences across different regions.
The campaign is being designed not only around movie theatres but also around malls, schools, digital platforms, outdoor advertising, retail, and experiential events.
Doraemon India Premiere Held in Mumbai
Ahead of the nationwide release, an India premiere was held on September 26, 2026, at Inorbit Mall Malad in Mumbai.
The event brought together Doraemon fans, children, families, media personalities, influencers, and other guests.
The atmosphere became especially lively before the screening, with fans gathering at the venue and celebrating their connection with the character.
A special moment came when the audience joined together to sing “Doraemon no Uta,” creating a nostalgic atmosphere for longtime fans.
Doraemon, Nobita, Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo also appeared at the event, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.
The premiere highlighted how the franchise has connected with multiple generations of Indian viewers.
The event also marked an important milestone for the film’s India campaign ahead of its October 2 nationwide theatrical release.
Doraemon’s India Campaign Goes Beyond Movie Theatres
The promotional campaign for the film is not limited to cinema advertising.
A nationwide campaign has been created to bring Doraemon into everyday spaces and allow fans to interact with the character before and around the movie’s release.
Mall activations and fan events are being held in different parts of India.
School-related programmes are also part of the campaign, giving children opportunities to interact with Doraemon through educational and experiential activities.
The campaign also includes digital media, radio, outdoor advertising, retail promotions, and other fan-engagement activities.
In addition, Doraemon-themed buses and auto-rickshaws are being used as part of the promotional rollout, bringing the character into city environments outside the cinema.
The campaign also includes a collaboration with Kidzania, adding an interactive edutainment component to the wider promotional effort.
This approach allows the movie to become more than a single theatrical release and instead creates multiple ways for families and children to engage with the Doraemon brand.
Select 4DX Screenings Will Add an Extra Experience
Another new addition to the India release is the availability of 4DX screenings at select theatres.
The format is designed to make the cinematic experience more immersive through moving seats and environmental effects.
For an underwater adventure featuring Doraemon and his friends travelling through the deep sea, this format can add another layer to the moviegoing experience.
Not every theatre will offer 4DX, so availability will depend on individual cinema locations and schedules.]
Doraemon and India Come Together Again in a New TV Special
The India connection becomes even more interesting with a new television special planned for Japan.
On November 7, 2026, TV Asahi and its network of 24 stations will broadcast:
“Namaste! Nobita, Studying Abroad in India”
The special follows Nobita after he sees a television advertisement promoting overseas study.
Nobita suddenly decides that studying abroad could be a great opportunity.
Doraemon is surprised by Nobita’s decision.
After all, Nobita is normally portrayed as someone who struggles with schoolwork and often lacks confidence.
However, Nobita explains that he wants to challenge himself somewhere where nobody knows him.
Doraemon then gives him a special gadget called the “Study Abroad Anywhere Name Tag.”
The gadget allows Nobita to study abroad for one day by writing his name and the country he wants to visit.
Why Does Nobita Choose India?
Nobita’s decision is inspired by a rather simple reason.
At the time he decides where he wants to study abroad, he happens to be eating curry.
That immediately gives him an idea.
He decides to travel to India because he wants to try authentic Indian curry.
Doraemon agrees to accompany him, and the two use the Anywhere Door to travel to Delhi.
Their arrival marks the beginning of a new India-themed Doraemon adventure.
The episode gives Japanese viewers an opportunity to see Nobita and Doraemon experience Indian culture, food, school life, and everyday surroundings through the playful style of the franchise.
Nobita Goes to School in Delhi
After arriving in Delhi, Nobita and Doraemon make their way to an elementary school.
Because they cannot speak the local language, they use another of Doraemon’s gadgets to communicate.
Nobita then changes into a school uniform and enters the classroom.
Doraemon is also present, but he has been made smaller using a gadget so that he can accompany Nobita without attracting attention.
At first, everything seems to be going perfectly.
Nobita’s classmates become interested in him, and they are impressed when he demonstrates his ability to make string figures.
Nobita becomes excited and thinks that studying abroad is going to be wonderful.
But his confidence does not last long.
Nobita’s Biggest Problem Is His Own Lie
Before travelling to India, Nobita has written an exaggerated profile about himself.
Instead of honestly describing his weaknesses, he claims that he is extremely talented.
His profile essentially presents him as a genius who is outstanding at everything, from academics to sports.
The problem begins when his new classmates believe him.
During a mathematics lesson, the students are working on difficult multiplication problems involving two-digit numbers.
Nobita is suddenly treated as though he should be an expert.
He now has to live up to the impressive image he created for himself.
The situation quickly becomes a comedy of errors.
What started as Nobita’s attempt to reinvent himself in a foreign country suddenly turns into a difficult challenge.
The special will explore what happens when Nobita’s exaggerated claims collide with reality.
A Cross-Cultural Doraemon Adventure
The upcoming Japan special is notable because it connects directly to the growing popularity of Doraemon in India.
The theatrical release introduces Indian audiences to the latest Doraemon movie, while the television special introduces Japanese audiences to an India-themed Doraemon story.
In this way, the two projects create a connection between the franchise and India from both sides.
The movie’s Indian release focuses on an underwater adventure involving Nobita, Doraemon, and their friends.
The television special focuses on Nobita’s experience in Delhi.
Although the stories are completely different, both highlight one of the defining ideas behind Doraemon: travelling to unfamiliar places and discovering new experiences.
Doraemon’s Long Relationship With Indian Audiences
Doraemon’s popularity in India has developed over many years.
The television series has introduced the characters to multiple generations, with many longtime viewers now watching the franchise alongside younger family members.
That gives the theatrical release a strong nostalgic element.
Older viewers who grew up watching Doraemon can now take younger family members to the cinema and experience a new adventure together.
The theatrical campaign has also been designed to combine this nostalgia with new experiences for today’s children. Industry representatives have described the release as an opportunity to create a shared big-screen experience for families and longtime fans.
The Movie’s Music and Creative Team
The Japanese version of the movie features a new theme song titled “Honto” by sumika.
The song was released alongside the movie’s promotional campaign and complements the film’s themes of friendship and adventure.
The movie is directed by Tetsuo Yajima, with a screenplay by Isao Murayama.
The main Japanese voice cast includes:
- Wasabi Mizuta as Doraemon
- Megumi Ohara as Nobita
- Yumi Kakazu as Shizuka
- Subaru Kimura as Gian
- Tomokazu Seki as Suneo
- Shoya Chiba as El
The film is produced by Shin-Ei Animation.
What Makes This Movie Different?
The underwater setting is one of the film’s biggest attractions.
Doraemon stories often take Nobita and his friends into unusual environments, but the deep ocean provides a particularly mysterious setting.
The characters encounter unfamiliar creatures, an underwater civilization, and a mysterious castle.
The story also introduces the Mu Federation and its relationship with people from the surface.
As the mystery surrounding Devil’s Rock Castle develops, the characters are forced to work together.
This allows the film to combine large-scale adventure with the friendship and teamwork that are central to the Doraemon franchise.
Release Details
Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil
India Release Date: October 2, 2026
Languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu
Format: Theatrical release, including select 4DX screenings
Indian Theatrical Release: TV Asahi and PVR INOX Pictures
Film: 45th Doraemon theatrical feature
Original Japanese Release: February 27, 2026
Director: Tetsuo Yajima
Screenplay: Isao Murayama
Animation Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
Original Creator: Fujiko F. Fujio
India Special Episode Broadcast Details
“Namaste! Nobita, Studying Abroad in India”
Broadcast Date: November 7, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. JST
Network: TV Asahi and its network of 24 stations
Setting: Delhi, India
Main Characters: Doraemon and Nobita
The story begins when Nobita decides to study abroad and uses Doraemon’s special study-abroad gadget.
After choosing India because he wants to try authentic curry, Nobita travels to Delhi with Doraemon.
At school, his exaggerated self-introduction causes unexpected problems when his classmates believe he is a genius.
The episode combines comedy, school life, Doraemon gadgets, and Nobita’s attempt to adapt to a completely new environment.
Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil marks an important new chapter for the franchise in India.
After more than 20 years of television popularity, Doraemon is finally receiving a nationwide theatrical release in India, allowing fans to experience the characters on the big screen in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Select 4DX screenings will also offer an additional immersive option.
The film itself is also significant because it reimagines the classic 1983 Undersea Devil adventure as the 45th Doraemon feature film. The new version combines the familiar characters and basic premise with updated animation and a modern cinematic presentation.
Meanwhile, the India-themed television special “Namaste! Nobita, Studying Abroad in India” gives Japanese viewers their own opportunity to see Nobita and Doraemon explore India.
From Nobita’s decision to study abroad to his hilarious attempt to impress his new classmates, the special promises a typically Doraemon-style mixture of comedy, gadgets, friendship, and unexpected problems.
The two releases also demonstrate how Doraemon continues to connect audiences across countries and generations.
For Indian fans who have spent years watching Doraemon on television, October 2, 2026, will offer the chance to experience the blue robotic cat’s latest adventure on the big screen.
And for Japanese viewers, November will bring a completely different Doraemon adventure—one that takes Nobita and Doraemon to Delhi.
With the theatrical campaign already expanding into malls, schools, outdoor promotions, retail experiences, and city-wide Doraemon branding, the India release is being presented as a broad fan experience rather than simply another animated movie release.
