Photo/Illutration The “Doraemon: Door to the Future” monument is unveiled at Miyashita Park in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Dec. 1. (Nobuo Fujiwara)

Doraemon, one of the most iconic characters in the world of anime and manga, was honored with a massive monument featuring bronze statues of Doraemon and other characters on Dec. 1 in a project planned in a Tokyo park to mark the 50th anniversary of its creation.

The day was the 88th anniversary of the birth of its creator, the legendary Fujiko F. Fujio.

“Doraemon: Door to the Future” in the ward-run Miyashita Park in the capital’s Shibuya Ward measures 5.8 meters in diameter and is almost 4 meters tall. 

Planned and donated to the Shibuya ward office by Fujiko Pro Co., the monument is testimony to the enduring popularity of the “Doraemon” manga series that started its run in 1970 and marked its 50th anniversary in 2020.

Officials said its height of 3.921 meters was inspired by Doraemon, a 129.3-centimeter tall robotic cat from the future who has a special pocket from which he produces secret gadgets.

The monument also features 10 other of Fujiko’s characters, including Nobita, Perman and Korosuke, in addition to seven gadgets such as the Anywhere Door.

“We hope (the monument) will be held dear by many people and help promote the city’s pride,” said Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe.

Fujiko Pro President Kazuhiko Akatsu added that he would be “happy if children from across the world come to see the monument in the middle of Shibuya,” which he described as a mature international city, and “are inspired to read Fujiko’s comics.”

The company said it will donate Fujiko’s publications to elementary and junior high schools and other facilities in the ward.

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