It all began with the giant cat in Shinjuku in 2021, and since then, 3D billboards showcasing a variety of characters and stars – including Yayoi Kusama for her 2022 Louis Vuitton collaboration – have popped up across Tokyo and Osaka. Now, even Doraemon is joining the trend, making a 3D appearance on two mega-screens – one in Shinjuku and another in Osaka’s Umeda.
For a limited two-week period, Doraemon stars in a 30-second ad celebrating the 100th anniversary of Shogaku Ichinensei, a long-standing Japanese publication for first-grade elementary school students. This special May/June issue is set to hit newsstands on April 11.
In the ad, Doraemon’s appearance will be soundtracked by the song ‘Bokutachi no Start’, created exclusively for the publication’s centenary celebration and performed by singer-songwriter Sayaka Yamamoto.
So, keep an eye out for the 3D Doraemon on the Cross Shinjuku Vision billboard opposite Shinjuku Station’s east exit in Tokyo, and the Dip Vision billboard in front of Osaka’s Umeda Station, between March 31 and April 1. The world-famous blue cat robot will appear twice every hour from 7am to 1am in Tokyo, and 7am to 11pm in Osaka. Do note that during certain times of day, the ad will be displayed in silent mode.
More from Time Out Tokyo
It's official – the 2025 cherry blossom season in Tokyo has now begun
9 Tokyo restaurants named in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list
Here are 9 less crowded places in Tokyo for cherry blossoms
See all the spring flowers in bloom at Garden Necklace Yokohama for free
Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Phoenix’ exhibition offers a journey through time and eternity
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.