Doraemon Features Taro Hakase's Innovative 'Anything Violin'

Mar 16, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Violinist Taro Hakase has crafted a new secret gadget for the TV anime "Doraemon," called the "Anything Violin."

In the episode "Shizuka's Baked Sweet Potato Symphony" airing on TV Asahi at 5:00 p.m. today, March 16, a character inspired by Hakase, named "Hikase Taro," makes an appearance. This marks Hakase's first attempt at voice acting for this character.

The story begins when Shizuka's violin, intended for a performance at a cherry blossom viewing party, gets broken. To cheer up Shizuka, Doraemon presents the "Anything Violin," a secret gadget shaped like a violin bow. This gadget can turn anything, such as a badminton racket or a tree branch, into a violin by simply holding it like a violin and playing with the bow, producing the sound of a violin. Upon hearing that "Hikase Taro" is shooting a promotional video nearby, Doraemon comes up with an idea, leading to a "wonderful trajectory" involving Shizuka and Hikase under the fully bloomed cherry blossoms at the climax.

Hakase was delighted with the character "Hikase," modeled after himself, and surprised the staff with his natural rhythm and ease in voice acting, despite it being his first time. In addition to "Shizuka's Baked Sweet Potato Symphony," the broadcast slated for Saturday afternoon, March 16, will also feature "Rampage! The Handmade Giant Robot," depicting Nobita's commotion as he strives to build a giant robot.

Currently, theaters nationwide are screening the movie "Doraemon: Nobita's Earth Symphony." In anticipation of the release of this music-themed film, the "Dora Dora♪Symphony Orchestra" was formed, gathering children from across the country. Hakase has been appointed as the special supporter for the orchestra, providing the song "Kimi no Pocket" for the "Dora Dora♪Symphony Orchestra."

Source: Natalie

Toyota to Launch Self-Driving Taxis in 2027

Toyota Motor will begin operating fully autonomous taxis in 2027 through a partnership with U.S. self-driving technology company Waymo, marking a major step in the Japanese automaker's efforts to expand driverless transportation services.

Mount Fuji Puts on First Snowcap

Mount Fuji has received its first snowcap of the season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on October 30, after temperatures at the summit plunged to minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, marking the arrival of winter conditions on Japan's highest mountain.

Chinese Female Spy Suspected of Targeting Nvidia Chief

U.S. intelligence agencies suspect that a Chinese female intelligence operative developed a close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in an attempt to obtain confidential corporate and U.S. government information, according to a report published by The New York Times on October 29th.

Japan Blocks Websites Leaking GMO Personal Data

The Japanese government has asked major telecommunications operators to forcibly block access to websites believed to contain personal information stolen in a cyberattack on GMO, it emerged on October 29th, as authorities moved to prevent further exposure of sensitive data online.

Typhoon No. 31 Heads Toward Japan's Remote Islands

Typhoon No. 31 was located near Minamitorishima Island in the Pacific Ocean, as of 3 a.m. on October 30, and was expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo over the October 31-November 1 weekend while maintaining very strong intensity, bringing a growing risk of dangerously high waves, powerful swells and extremely rough seas.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals Secrets Behind Mario

Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator behind globally popular franchises including Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, reflected on nearly 50 years of game development after being named a recipient of Japan's 2026 Order of Culture in October, revealing how Mario's original gameplay emerged from a simple idea and why he believes artificial intelligence could encourage a deeper understanding of human creativity.

Japan's Pop Culture Goes Worldwide

Japanese flea market app operator Mercari opened an exhibition in Tokyo's Harajuku district on October 28, recreating the rooms of fictional overseas fans of Japanese anime, manga and other pop culture to highlight how ordinary secondhand goods in Japan have become treasured collectibles around the world.

Top rated Ukrainian dating sites: compare the best platforms

Aggregated user ratings, review platforms, and community scorecards provide initial direction for Western singles seeking connections across Eastern Europe.

Ashita no Joe Creator Tetsuya Chiba Dies at 87

Tetsuya Chiba, the acclaimed manga artist best known for the popular boxing series "Ashita no Joe" and the first manga creator to receive Japan's Order of Culture, died on October 22 at a hospital in Tokyo from myelodysplastic syndrome, a disorder affecting blood cell production. He was 87.

Ano Reveals Message Behind New Theme

Japanese singer-songwriter ano has revealed the personal message behind her new song "23ji" (11 PM), which became the ending theme for TBS's nightly news program News23 in October, saying she hopes the music reaches people who feel excluded from society and reminds them that even days without visible achievements are not meaningless.

A Rainy Train Window in Japan, Reimagined Through Seedance 3.0

The view is partly hidden by a reflection: a sleeve, the edge of a seat, and a faint strip of light inside a train. Outside, rain softens the buildings into darker shapes. I would use that quiet moment as the beginning of a proposed travel film inspired by an evening rail journey in Japan.

Mascots Face Off in Japan's Highest Court

A long-running legal battle between two nearly identical Japanese mascots, Chiitan and Shinjo-kun, is heading to the Supreme Court after the city of Susaki in Kochi Prefecture announced on October 21 that it had appealed a ruling ordering it to pay 18.87 million yen in damages to the operator of Chiitan.

A day with Rina Hashimoto | 橋本梨菜

Hashimoto Rina (橋本梨菜) is a gravure model and idol. She is an original member of sherbet and a former member of SKETCH.

< 2 3 4 5 >