Honestly, if you grew up with the blue robotic cat, you probably have a specific "vibe" in mind when a new movie drops. You expect the gadgets. You expect Nobita to cry for help. You expect a journey to some far-off land. But Doraemon: Nobita's Space Heroes, the 35th entry in this massive franchise, hit a bit differently when it landed in 2015. It wasn't just another "save the world" trope; it was a weirdly meta commentary on the superhero genre that felt surprisingly fresh for a series that’s been around since your parents were in diapers.
It’s funny.
Most people dismiss these annual films as mere toy commercials, but director Yoshihiro Osugi actually tried to weave something about the nature of "fake" versus "real" bravery here. The plot kicks off because the kids are obsessed with a TV show called Miracle Force Blast. They aren't trying to be heroes at first. They’re just bored. They’re basically playing dress-up with Doraemon’s "Burger Director" gadget, which is essentially a sentient film projector that creates a simulated movie world.
Think about that. They think they’re on a movie set. In reality? They’re getting dragged into a genuine interstellar conflict involving the planet Ratchet and a group of space pirates who want to suck the energy out of a sun.
The Weird Charm of the Burger Director
One of the coolest things about Doraemon: Nobita's Space Heroes is the Burger Director itself. It’s this round, grumpy-looking robot that looks like a literal hamburger. It’s not just a tool; it’s a plot device that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The kids think the explosions are special effects. They think the villains are just actors in high-quality suits.
This creates a massive amount of tension.
When Suneo and Gian are "acting" out their fight scenes, they’re doing it with a level of confidence they never usually have. Why? Because they think there's a safety net. It’s a brilliant psychological play by the writers. It asks the audience: is courage still courage if you don’t realize you’re in danger? Eventually, the "director" stops directing, and the realization that their lives are actually on the line hits like a ton of bricks. That’s the moment the movie stops being a parody and starts being a classic Doraemon adventure.
✨ Don't miss: Adam Scott in Step Brothers: Why Derek is Still the Funniest Part of the Movie
The Power Sets: Not Your Average Avengers
In this film, the kids get specific "Space Hero" suits that enhance their natural abilities or, in some cases, poke fun at them. It’s not a one-size-fits-all power boost.
- Doraemon gets a super-strength punch, which is a bit of a throwback to his earlier robotic specs.
- Nobita ends up with the power of... cat's cradle? Yeah, string tricks. It seems useless. It sounds like a joke. But in true Fujiko F. Fujio fashion, that specific skill ends up being the technical "save" later on. It’s a nice nod to the fact that Nobita isn't just a loser; he has these weirdly specific talents that actually matter.
- Shizuka controls water. It fits her "clean" obsession perfectly.
- Gian is pure brute force. No surprises there.
- Suneo gets drills. It’s a very "mecha anime" trope, which suits his tech-obsessed personality.
The animation by Shin-Ei Animation for these sequences is actually quite fluid. While it’s not Ghibli-level detail, the 2015 production value holds up. They used a lot of bright, saturated colors for the planet Ratchet to contrast with the more muted tones of Nobita’s neighborhood.
Why the Villain "Icarus" Matters
The antagonist in Doraemon: Nobita's Space Heroes isn't just a monster. The Space Pirates—led by Icarus—are essentially corporate strip-miners on a galactic scale. They find planets, drain their "Planetary Energy," and move on. It’s a pretty dark concept for a G-rated movie.
There’s this one character, Aron. He’s the one who actually brings the kids to his planet. He’s the "true" hero of the story in many ways because he’s been fighting a losing battle alone. When he sees Nobita and the gang "filming" their movie, he mistakes their play-acting for genuine legendary prowess.
The relationship between Aron and Nobita is the emotional core here. Aron is desperate. Nobita is a fraud (unintentionally). Watching that dynamic collapse and then rebuild into a genuine partnership is where the movie finds its heart. It deals with the burden of expectations. Aron expects gods; he gets fifth-graders.
Technical Specs and the 35th Anniversary
You have to remember that this film was a celebration. Being the 35th movie in the franchise is a huge deal in Japan. Because of that, the marketing was everywhere. The theme song, "360°" by Miwa, was a massive hit. It’s incredibly catchy and perfectly captures that "let's go on an adventure" feeling that defines the series.
🔗 Read more: Actor Most Academy Awards: The Record Nobody Is Breaking Anytime Soon
The box office reflected this hype. It earned over 3.9 billion yen. In the context of 2015, that was a massive win, proving that even after three decades, the formula wasn't stale. It actually outperformed several major Western animated releases in the Japanese market that year.
Is it actually a good movie?
Depends on what you want.
If you're looking for a deep, philosophical deconstruction of the superhero mythos like The Boys, obviously you're in the wrong place. But if you want a film that understands the childhood desire to be "special," it hits the mark. The pacing is a bit erratic in the middle—sometimes the travel scenes drag—but the final showdown on the pirate ship is genuinely exciting.
It’s also surprisingly funny. The "Burger Director" constantly being annoyed by the kids' bad acting provides a layer of humor that adults can appreciate. We’ve all been in that position where we’re trying to get something done while surrounded by chaos.
Common Misconceptions About Space Heroes
One thing that bugs me is when people confuse this with Nobita's Little Star Wars. They are completely different movies. Little Star Wars (both the 1985 version and the 2021 remake) is about a shrunken-down revolution. Doraemon: Nobita's Space Heroes is about the art of filmmaking and the transition from "pretend" bravery to "real" bravery.
Another mistake? Thinking you need to have seen the previous 34 movies to understand this one. You don’t. These films are designed to be standalone. All you need to know is that Doraemon has a pocket with infinite gadgets and Nobita is a kind-hearted kid who usually fails at school. That’s the baseline. The movie does the rest of the heavy lifting for you.
💡 You might also like: Ace of Base All That She Wants: Why This Dark Reggae-Pop Hit Still Haunts Us
How to Experience the Story Today
If you're looking to dive into this specific corner of the Doraemon universe, you aren't limited to just the film.
- The Manga Adaptation: There is a manga version illustrated by Mugiwara Shintaro. It follows the movie's plot closely but adds a few bits of internal monologue that help clarify why the kids are so convinced the movie isn't real for so long.
- The Nintendo 3DS Game: Yes, there was a tie-in game. It’s a standard action-adventure title where you can play as the different heroes. It’s mostly for completionists, but it’s a fun way to explore the planet Ratchet more deeply.
- The Soundtrack: Kan Sawada’s score is underrated. He uses these sweeping orchestral themes that make the space sequences feel much bigger than they are.
What You Can Learn from Nobita’s Journey
There is a genuine takeaway here. Most of us feel like Nobita—unqualified, scared, and maybe a bit of a "faker." The movie argues that the "fake" part doesn't matter as much as the "showing up" part.
When the kids realized they weren't on a movie set, they could have run. They had a time machine and a door that could take them anywhere. But they stayed. Not because they were superheroes, but because they had become friends with Aron.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Newcomers
If you're planning to watch or re-watch this, keep an eye on the background details during the "filming" scenes. The way the Burger Director manipulates the environment is a clever nod to how actual film production works—using forced perspective and "invisible" supports.
For parents, it’s a great jumping-off point to talk about the difference between what we see on screens and what happens in real life. It’s a media literacy lesson wrapped in a colorful space adventure.
Don't skip the end credits. In typical Doraemon fashion, there are little vignettes and a teaser for the next movie that provide a nice "cool down" after the high-stakes finale.
The movie is currently available on various streaming platforms depending on your region (often found on Netflix or Amazon Prime in Asian territories). If you're in the West, you might need to look for official DVD releases or specialized anime distributors. It’s worth the hunt if you want a feel-good story that doesn't take itself too seriously but still manages to say something meaningful about courage.
To get the most out of Doraemon: Nobita's Space Heroes, watch it alongside the original Little Star Wars to see how the franchise's approach to space travel has evolved over thirty years. You'll notice a massive shift from "hard sci-fi" influences to a more "fantasy-superhero" aesthetic, reflecting the changing tastes of audiences in the mid-2010s. Pay attention to the way the gadgets have become more "sentient" over time, moving from simple tools to characters in their own right.