Doraemon: Nobita’s Chronicle of the Moon Exploration (2019)
Original Title: 映画ドラえもん のび太の月面探査記 (Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Gekijōban Tsuki Men Tansa-ki)
Directed by: Shinnosuke Yakuwa
Written by: Midzuki Tsujimura
Music by: Takayuki Hattori
Produced by: Shin-Ei Animation
Release Date: March 1, 2019 (Japan)
Runtime: 111 minutes
Language: Japanese
Genre: Animation, Sci-fi, Adventure, Family
International Release Titles & Dates
| Country | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Doraemon: Nobita’s Chronicle of the Moon Exploration | March 1, 2019 |
| 🇮🇳 India | Doraemon The Movie: Nobita Chandra Parv Par Gaya | 2020 (Disney India) |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Doraemon Movie: Nobita’s Chronicle of the Moon Exploration | June 2019 |
| 🌏 English-speaking | Doraemon: Nobita’s Chronicle of the Moon Exploration | Various (2019-2020) |
Plot Summary (Full)
The story begins with Nobita learning about the mysterious side of the Moon after he hears about a strange phenomenon called the “Moon Rabbit.” When Nobita insists that rabbits live on the Moon, he is laughed at by his classmates, especially Suneo and Gian.
Frustrated and determined to prove his point, Nobita asks Doraemon for help. Doraemon, as always, pulls out one of his futuristic gadgets — this time, the “Divergent View Badge,” which creates reality based on what a person believes. Using the badge and the “Space-Time Excavator,” they create a civilization of moon rabbits on the dark side of the Moon, building a new Moon World with fantasy and science combined.
Soon, the group (Nobita, Shizuka, Gian, Suneo, and Doraemon) travel to this new Moon World. They meet an actual boy from the Moon named Luca, who belongs to a mysterious race known as the Espal — evolved beings who have special abilities like telepathy and teleportation. Luca, along with his three Espal companions, are actually refugees hiding from a sinister force.
Things take a turn when Diabolo, a dictator from another planet, discovers the Espal on the Moon and wants to capture them for their powers. Diabolo uses illusion and mind control to manipulate people and invades the Moon World with his army. With help from Doraemon’s gadgets, teamwork, and courage, the group must fight to protect Luca and his kind.
The climax sees Nobita and his friends band together to battle Diabolo, risking their lives and putting their friendship to the test. The message of the movie becomes clear: the strength of belief, imagination, and unity can create miracles. In the end, the Espal find peace and freedom, and the Moon World remains as a symbol of hope and dreams.
Japanese Voice Cast of Doraemon: Nobita’s Chronicle of the Moon Exploration (2019)
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Doraemon | Wasabi Mizuta |
| Nobita Nobi | Megumi Ōhara |
| Shizuka Minamoto | Yumi Kakazu |
| Takeshi (Gian) | Subaru Kimura |
| Suneo Honekawa | Tomokazu Seki |
| Luca | Jun Shison |
| Diabolo | Masaki Suda (Special Guest Role) |
Unique Facts & Behind-the-Scenes
- 📖 First Doraemon movie to be based on an original screenplay by a novelist, Mizuki Tsujimura, a famous Japanese author known for works like Lonely Castle in the Mirror.
- 🛰️ The movie mixes fantasy with hard sci-fi themes, referencing concepts like lunar gravity, evolution, and quantum teleportation.
- 🐇 The idea of moon rabbits is inspired by East Asian folklore, where people believe a rabbit lives on the Moon pounding mochi.
- 🎨 The film uses a slightly darker tone and more complex storytelling than typical Doraemon movies, appealing to older fans and kids alike.
- 🎥 This was the 39th theatrical Doraemon film, following a long legacy of beloved annual movie releases since 1980.
Reception & Box Office
- Japan Gross: Over ¥5.0 billion (~$45 million USD)
- Box Office Rank (Japan 2019): Among the top 10 highest-grossing domestic films
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: Audience Score (unofficial): 85%
Critics and audiences praised the movie’s emotional depth, animation quality, and fresh storytelling approach. Luca became one of the most memorable guest characters in Doraemon movie history.
Awards & Nominations
- Japan Academy Prize (2020) – Nominated for Best Animation of the Year
- Mainichi Film Awards – Special Mention in Animation Category
- Children’s Jury Award – International Tokyo Anime Fair
📦 Home Release & Streaming
- Blu-ray/DVD: Released in Japan on August 7, 2019
- Streaming: Available on Amazon Prime Japan, and aired on TV Asahi
- India: Premiered on Disney Channel India in Hindi
