Current location:world >>
VOX POPULI: Like Nobita in ‘Doraemon,’ we should never give up on ourselves
world5People have gathered around
IntroductionNobita, one of the main characters of the “Doraemon” manga series, is a complete underachiever who j ...
Nobita, one of the main characters of the “Doraemon” manga series, is a complete underachiever who just can’t do anything right.
He receives a zero on tests, gets bitten by dogs and has his new comic book snatched by Gian, the neighborhood bully.
But for all his adversities and goof-ups, Nobita never gives up on life, which is his greatest asset.
A few times every year, he makes up his mind to “become a better person than now” and surprises his mom by sitting at his desk to do his homework.
Come to think of it, Nobita may, in fact, be a very strong character, deep down.
In a magazine interview, Fujiko F. Fujio (1933-1996), the creator of Doraemon, once likened a classic barber’s pole with a helical spinning stripe to people.
People think they are moving upward in pursuit of their dreams, like the stripe. But that is an illusion--they are actually stuck where they are, just as the pole remains stationary.
“In the end, they even forget their ‘dream of going up,’” explained the cartoonist. “What I hope is that they will instead find inspiration in people who can keep cheerfully pursuing their dreams despite their failures and never give up on themselves.”
I am pretty certain he had Nobita in mind.
Graduation season is nearing and many high school students will be saying their goodbyes in early March.
Some may be moving on with renewed hope, while others may be facing disappointing transitions.
To each their own.
When you are young, you probably believe that the first step you take now will determine the course for the rest of your life.
But that is not true at all. The important thing is to never give up on yourself.
After borrowing “Fanta Glasses” from Doraemon, Nobita becomes able to commune freely with animals and plants like in fantasy tales, and he lovingly grows a dandelion.
When the last dandelion fluff flies away on a gentle spring breeze, Nobita asks, “Where do you intend to go?”
The fluff answers, “I don’t know--but I’ll definitely become a beautiful flower somewhere.”
Good luck and Godspeed to all young travelers.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 20
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Insight news portal”。http://northkorea.whetstonetavern.com/html-41e199952.html
Previous:Mother throws her disabled six
Next:WNBA to begin full
Related articles
Tourism festival spurs consumption in Shanghai
worldCultural and tourism consumption boomed during the three-week Shanghai Tourism Festival, with the ci ...
【world】
Read morePaulo Dybala mocks Matteo Guendouzi by during ill
worldPaulo Dybala mocked Matteo Guendouzi by showing him his shinpad during an ill-tempered Rome derby on ...
【world】
Read moreOJ Simpson's time in Hollywood: A look back at The Naked Gun star's hit movie career
worldOJ Simpson died at age 76 from prostate cancer on Wednesday, April 10 - almost 30 years on from the ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Surprise! Zendaya unveils SECOND red carpet look at Met Gala as she wows in corseted off
- Grand National Festival horse Giovinco dies after falling mid
- Ivan Toney and Brentford teammate Nathan Collins have a heated argument on the pitch
- Dua Lipa flaunts her incredible figure in a thong bodysuit as she shares behind
- Brandon Nimmo's 3
- James Corden FINALLY gets approval to demolish his Oxfordshire home after months of delays
Latest articles
Apple debuts divisive new 'Ozempic iPad' Pro to mixed reaction
Beijing court jails Chinese
The players with the most free
In Pictures: Rare celestial event totally eclipsed by thick cloud in Hong Kong
Shanghai Shenhua soars as Changchun Yatai struggles in Chinese Super League
The players with the most free
LINKS
- China International Digital Economy Expo 2023 Kicks off
- World Robot Conference 2023 Opens in Beijing
- Arxan in N China's Inner Mongolia: An Increasingly Popular Tourist Destination
- Heritage Protection Breathes New Life into China's Millennia
- Couples Get Married on Qixi Festival in China
- Ten 'Comfort Women' Still Living on Chinese Mainland
- Hotline Provides Legal Advice and Hope for Women in Need
- China Takes 5th Consecutive Women's Team Title in Asiad Table Tennis
- Beijing Has One Museum for Every 100,000 People
- Guilin Makes Outdoor Sports New Name Card for Tourism