50-year-old Japanese comic series Doraemon a smash hit in pandemic

Nov 30, 2020 | News On Japan

Nov 30, 2020 (Japan Today) - Pandemic-induced school closures saw Japanese children discover the charm of the 50-year-old popular comic series Doraemon, which proved a smash hit this year, according to its publisher.

More than 5 million comic books and other publications featuring the robotic cat were printed in the 12 months to November, Shogakukan Inc said. Of the 45 volumes of the comic books, Volume 1 logged sales of more than 11,000 copies in March alone, a single-month record in the 21st century.

In Japan, most elementary, junior high and high schools were closed between March and May due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

During this period, the country's publishing industry saw brisk sales of children's books and comics, with Doraemon a particular favorite, the Tokyo-based publisher said in a press release.

Adding to the popularity was the issuance in December last year of "Volume 0," a special edition that contained 6 variations of the first Doraemon episode, which was drawn by manga artist Fujiko F Fujio (1933-1996), the company said.

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