Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend (2008)
Original Title: 映画ドラえもん のび太と緑の巨人伝 (Eiga Doraemon: Nobita to Midori no Kyojinden)
Directed by: Ayumu Watanabe
Written by: Higashi Shimizu
Music by: Kan Sawada
Produced by: Shin-Ei Animation
Release Date (Japan): March 8, 2008
Runtime: 112 minutes
Language: Japanese
Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Adventure, Environmental
International Release Titles & Dates
| Country | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend | March 8, 2008 |
| 🇮🇳 India | Doraemon The Movie: Nobita Aur Hara Bhara Giant | 2009 (Hungama TV) |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | โดราเอมอน ตอน ตำนานยักษ์เขียว | Late 2008 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 도라에몽: 진구와 초록거인전 | September 2008 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend | 2009 |
Full Plot Summary
The film begins with Nobita discovering a small, withered sapling on the roadside. Feeling sorry for it, he brings it home and names it Kibō (which means “hope” in Japanese). With Doraemon’s help, he uses a gadget called the Tree Nurturing Light and a special plant-animal converter tool to give Kibō human-like consciousness and form. Kibō becomes a small green boy with plant features and a kind personality.
Kibō starts to live with Nobita and quickly bonds with Doraemon and his friends. Despite his unusual appearance, the children accept him. However, the presence of Kibō does not go unnoticed. Unknown to the group, there exists a Green Planet, a world where plant-like beings (called Greenians) live in harmony with nature. This planet’s council views humans as a danger to nature due to deforestation and pollution.
When Kibō’s presence is detected, the Greenians send an envoy to Earth. Eventually, Kibō is taken back to the Green Planet where the Greenians plan to judge humanity. They view humans as destructive and decide to execute a plan to eliminate humanity in order to protect the universe’s ecological balance.
Nobita, Doraemon, and their friends travel to the Green Planet using Doraemon’s gadgets. There, they plead for peace, but the Greenians are unmoved. The story takes a deeper emotional turn when Kibō — conflicted between his love for Earth and loyalty to his own kind — risks his life to protect Nobita and the others.
During a climactic confrontation, a massive Green Giant is awakened, meant to destroy the Earth. However, Kibō’s selfless act and Nobita’s genuine love for nature and life finally change the hearts of the Greenians. Realizing not all humans are bad, the Green Planet halts its mission. Kibō stays behind to become a symbol of peace between Earth and the Green Planet.
The movie ends with a hopeful tone as Kibō bids farewell, and Nobita returns to Earth — more aware and appreciative of nature than ever.
Voice Cast (Japanese) of doraemon nobita and the green giant legend
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Doraemon | Wasabi Mizuta |
| Nobita Nobi | Megumi Ōhara |
| Shizuka Minamoto | Yumi Kakazu |
| Gian (Takeshi) | Subaru Kimura |
| Suneo Honekawa | Tomokazu Seki |
| Kibō | Mayu Wakisaka |
| Elder of Green Planet | Toshiyuki Nishida (special guest) |
Key Highlights & Fun Facts
- 🌱 Environmental Theme: This film was created with a clear message about the importance of protecting nature, promoting awareness among children about pollution, deforestation, and coexistence with nature.
- 🎬 28th Doraemon Film: This was the third Doraemon movie after the voice cast and animation style were revamped in 2005.
- 🌳 Kibō’s Name: The word “Kibō” means “hope,” symbolizing the central theme of the film — hope for peace between nature and mankind.
- 🧪 Gadgets Used: Tree Nurturing Light, Plant-Human Converter, Time Machine, and many more feature prominently, showing Doraemon’s tech blending with moral lessons.
- 🎨 Animation Style: The film features beautifully drawn forest worlds, vibrant alien plants, and green landscapes — a departure from the urban backgrounds typical in Doraemon films.
Reception & Box Office
- Japan Box Office: ¥3.48 billion (~$33 million USD)
- One of the Top 10 domestic Japanese films in 2008
- The movie was well-received by families and praised for its emotional storytelling, themes of environmentalism, and Kibō’s character design.
Awards & Recognition
- 🏆 Japan Environment Ministry praised the film for contributing to environmental education.
- 🎗️ Featured in Green Earth Film Festival in Asia.
- 👪 Nominated for Best Animated Film (Tokyo Anime Awards 2009).
Home Media & Streaming
- DVD/Blu-ray (Japan): Released July 2008
- India TV Premiere: Aired on Hungama TV (Hindi Dub) in 2009
- Streaming: Available on Japanese platforms and DVD in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, and English-dubbed in some regions.
