Doraemon is a beloved manga series that has shaped the childhoods of countless readers, not just in Japan but worldwide. The story of clumsy Nobita and the robotic cat Doraemon from the 22nd century has become a symbol of friendship, kindness, and dreams. Yet within this colorful world, there’s a character often overlooked despite being a robot cat and even more perfect than Doraemon. That character is Dorami, the cute and talented yellow robot cat, Doraemon’s younger sister.
Many wonder: if Dorami is so exceptional, why is it Doraemon who was sent back to care for Nobita and help him change his future?
According to the manga and anime introductions, Dorami and Doraemon were made from the same type of refined oil, but with a difference: the top layer of oil was used to create Doraemon, while the more energy-rich and stable layer beneath was used for Dorami. Technically, this means Dorami operates with higher efficiency and intelligence than her brother.
Beyond that, Doraemon was once struck by lightning, damaging a screw inside him, which caused him to become a “defective” robot prone to silly malfunctions, especially at crucial moments. Doraemon often uses cheap or second-hand gadgets from the future’s black market, which sometimes break mid-use. In contrast, Dorami has the latest, highest-quality gadgets, and her working style is systematic, thoughtful, and reliable, completely opposite to her clumsy blue brother.
In the anime version directed by Shizuka Fujimoto (also known as the “Mizuta version”), Dorami first appears in the episode “Nobita’s Hiking Submarine,” which introduces this golden robot cat. At that time, Sewashi, Nobita’s great-great-grandchild from the 22nd century, was skeptical of Doraemon’s abilities. He thought Doraemon was too clumsy and often argued with Nobita, fearing that if things continued this way, the Nobi family’s future couldn’t be changed. So Sewashi considered replacing Doraemon with Dorami, the smarter, more careful, and serious version.
And the truth is, Dorami truly is the ideal caretaker. While Doraemon tends to solve Nobita’s problems directly with gadgets, Dorami’s serious and responsible nature leads her to use gadgets as tools to encourage Nobita to think and work hard on his own. For example, instead of fixing things directly, Dorami often brings out a Mini Invention Machine, guiding Nobita to build things like a Cockroach-Chasing Hat or a Four-Season Garden, helping him develop independence and creativity.
On another occasion, when Nobita couldn’t finish his running exercise at school, Doraemon might have handed him a pair of speed-boosting shoes. But Dorami took a different approach, using a motivational tool (like positive hypnosis) to help Nobita push past his limits and complete the run through his own effort. Dorami’s serious, meticulous personality and her philosophy of “education through encouragement” make her a model of a true child-rearing robot, helping Nobita grow rather than just rely on gadgets.
However, in the end, Nobita’s companion remains Doraemon, not Dorami. Why? Because Dorami is too perfect, like a professional nanny who knows everything and is very caring but distant. Meanwhile, Doraemon and Nobita share something in common: imperfection. A lazy boy and a clumsy robot cat, both prone to mistakes and fears, but that’s what makes them understand and empathize with each other. Their relationship feels more like friendship than one-sided care, allowing Nobita to truly mature through his struggles.
In a special story, Nobita once tried to have Dorami replace his brother but quickly realized, “Dorami doesn’t understand me like Doraemon does!” The golden robot cat is too perfect and lacks that simple empathy.
You might not know this, but the title of “child-rearing robot” actually belongs to Doraemon. In Fujiko F. Fujio’s original manga, Dorami was designed as a “housekeeping robot,” responsible for cooking and cleaning, but often mixed up gadgets, creating funny and awkward situations. Later anime versions upgraded Dorami’s image into a smart, sharp, and perfect little robot cat, which differs somewhat from the original concept.
So functionally, Doraemon is the educational robot, while Dorami is the housekeeping robot. Both have their own roles, and Nobita’s bond with Doraemon is the most fitting choice for the story.
Moreover, the deeper reason is that if Dorami, the capable, quick-witted, and perfect sister, had been the main character, the Doraemon series might have lost half its humor and warmth. After all, what fans love about Doraemon is not his perfection but his imperfect, clumsy nature combined with his wholehearted devotion to his friends.
What about you? If you had to choose, would you want Dorami or Doraemon as your guardian?