But things get strange immediately.
For over four decades, the blue robotic cat from the 22nd century has been a cornerstone of Japanese pop culture. Among the sprawling universe of Doraemon films—which range from prehistoric adventures to underground kingdoms—one entry stands out as a unique hybrid of classic American Western mythology, interstellar mystery, and psychological horror. Released in 1996, Doraemon: Nobita and the Galaxy Super-express (Eiga Doraemon: Nobita to Ginga Ekusupuresu) is the 17th film in the long-running franchise.