Doraemon Features Taro Hakase's Innovative 'Anything Violin'

TOKYO, Mar 16 (News On Japan) - 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

Kyoto Raises Lodging Tax as Peak Travel Season Begins

Kyoto City significantly raised its lodging tax from March 1st, increasing the maximum charge per person per night from 1,000 yen to as much as 10,000 yen, in a move aimed at tackling overtourism and funding the preservation of cultural assets, even as questions remain about its impact on visitors and the local economy.

Foreign Visitors and Ex-Rescuer Pull 80-Year-Old Woman From Hakuba Crashed Car

A former emergency responder and foreign tourists worked together to rescue a woman in her 80s who was trapped inside an overturned light vehicle in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture.

Tokyo Metro Begins Touchless Ticket Gate Trial

Tokyo Metro and Toshiba have launched Japan’s first demonstration test allowing passengers to pass through ticket gates without touching them by using their smartphones’ Bluetooth function.

Himeji Castle Hikes Admission Fee for Non-Residents

The admission fee for the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, was revised on March 1st for the first time in 11 years, introducing a dual pricing system that significantly raises costs for visitors from outside the city.

Australian Girl, 8, Dies After Snowmobile Overturns in Hakuba

An eight-year-old Australian girl died after a snowmobile overturned in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, at around 11 a.m. on February 28th, with authorities investigating the cause of the accident.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Japan Welcomes March with Spring Performances

March began with clear skies and springlike warmth across much of the Pacific side from the Kanto region westward, as seasonal festivities unfolded nationwide to mark the arrival of a new month.

Shogakukan Under Fire for Manga Author Appointment

Shogakukan has come under mounting criticism after it was revealed that its manga app “Manga One” appointed a male manga artist as the original author of a new serialized work despite being aware of his past sexual misconduct, prompting the publisher to apologize and announce on March 2nd that it would establish an independent third-party committee to investigate the matter.

AKB48 Visits Golf Course

AKB48 set out to uncover examples of digital transformation in everyday settings, visiting a golf course in Ibaraki Prefecture and a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Nihonbashi, where cutting-edge technology is reshaping both leisure and tradition.