The anime series Doraemon, based on the original manga by Fujiko F. Fujio, aired a special episode on November 7 titled 「ナマステ！のび太、インドに留学」 (Namaste! Nobita Studies Abroad in India). The episode was produced to commemorate the first-ever screening of Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita’s Great Battle of the Mermaid King in India.

The Fourth Entry in the “World Doraemon Series”

The special serves as the fourth installment of the World Doraemon Series. The story begins when Nobita — who can never seem to get anything right — spots a TV commercial recruiting students for study-abroad programs and decides he wants to go overseas. Doraemon produces a secret gadget called the Dokodemo Ryūgaku Nafuda (Study-Anywhere Name Tag), which allows Nobita to study abroad for a single day. Since he happens to be eating curry at the time, Nobita chooses India as his destination, and the two head off to a school in Delhi.

Adventures in India

At the school, Nobita is praised for his cat’s cradle skills, which delights him — but he struggles badly with math lessons that are considerably harder than what he faces back in Japan. To make matters worse, he writes a blatant lie in the profile section of his name tag, claiming to be “a once-in-a-century genius.” His classmates take it at face value, leaving Nobita with no way to back out of the situation.

The episode also features additional secret gadgets: the Itadaki Koban, which shrinks Doraemon down so he can secretly support Nobita, and the Honyaku Konnyaku Lassi Flavor, a translation tool with an India-themed twist.

Hindi Lesson and a Second Episode

The recurring segment “Let’s Talk to the World! Doraemon’s Fluency Course” introduces Hindi, one of the languages spoken in India, tying in with the episode’s theme. The November 7 broadcast also includes a second episode, 「チクタクボンワッペン」, which centers on Nobita and Gian.