Doraemon Movie 45 kicks off summer entertainment season for Vietnamese children

The latest Doraemon movie, titled ‘Doraemon: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil,’ earned nearly VND38 billion (US$1.4 million) during its three-day early screening period, setting a new opening record for the long-running Doraemon franchise in Vietnam.

The movie will officially open nationwide on Friday, following special preview screenings held last Saturday and Sunday.

Alongside the film’s release, a series of themed activities have been launched in Ho Chi Minh City to engage fans.

Since last Saturday, a giant six-meter Doraemon figure has been installed at Crescent Mall’s lakeside area in Tan My Ward, becoming a popular check-in spot for families and children.

Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in the city center has also been transformed with Doraemon-themed decorations inspired by the film’s underwater setting, offering spaces for reading, photography, and play.

Organizers said these activities will continue throughout the summer, creating a ‘Doraemon month’ for fans.

Additional free events are planned at shopping centers during weekends and on International Children’s Day on June 1.

Doraemon Movie 45 is a remake of the classic 1983 animated feature and marks the 45th installment in the franchise’s 2D theatrical series.

Set during a summer adventure beneath the ocean, the story follows Doraemon, Nobita and their friends on an underwater picnic where they discover a sunken ship and encounter El, a mysterious boy from the Mu Federation.

The group is then drawn into an adventure involving an ancient underwater kingdom and a curse linked to a demonic castle threatening humanity.

Compared with the 1983 original, the new version features an expanded storyline with additional dramatic and emotional elements.

The character El also plays a more central role, adding greater depth to the narrative.

One of the film’s standout features is its release in 4D format, a first for the Doraemon 2D movie series.

Advanced projection technology brings the ocean world to life with vivid colors, sweeping visuals, and immersive effects such as motion, water sprays, and wind, enhancing the audience’s experience.