Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil is set to release in Indian theatres on 2 October 2026, bringing the beloved robotic cat's signature 'anywhere door' to the big screen for the first time in 20 years. The film will screen in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, making it accessible to fans across multiple regions of the country.

About the Film

Based on the original manga by FUJIKO F FUJIO, the legendary creator of the Doraemon franchise, the film follows Doraemon and his friends on a grand underwater adventure centred on themes of friendship, courage, and discovery. The story builds on the core premise of the series — an earless robotic cat from the 22nd century who travels back in time to help a young boy named Nobita Nobi navigate everyday life.

The Doraemon manga spawned a sweeping media franchise, adapted into three separate anime television series in 1973, 1979, and 2005, captivating generations of readers and viewers worldwide.

Who Is Bringing It to India

The theatrical release is being jointly led by TV Asahi and PVR INOX Pictures, India's leading theatrical distribution studio. Fan engagement, consumer experience, and promotional activations are being handled by Black White Orange (BWO), India's leading licensing and brand consulting agency, with strategic consulting and market advisory support from Happening 365 Synergies.

Maiko Sumida, Head of Animation Sales and Development, International Business Department, TV Asahi, said: 'We are honored to finally bring Doraemon to the big screen in India after 20 years. In this movie, Doraemon and his friends set off on a grand adventure in the deep ocean. We hope children across India — as well as those who grew up with Doraemon — will enjoy this special journey together with them.'

Fan Engagement and Campaign Rollout

As part of the nationwide Doraemon campaign, the character will make its first public appearance in India at CORE, the pop culture festival organised by BWO, scheduled for 20 and 21 June 2026 at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai.

Mitali Desai, COO and Co-founder of Black White Orange (BWO), said: 'Doraemon has enjoyed an incredibly special connection with Indian audiences for generations, and we are excited to bring this new theatrical adventure to fans across the country in a truly immersive way.'

Why This Release Matters

Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR INOX Pictures, described the release as part of a broader commitment to bringing globally loved stories to Indian audiences. 'Doraemon is a character that has transcended generations and holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Indian fans. At a time when the growing popularity of anime and Japanese storytelling continues to find passionate audiences across India, we are delighted to bring this film to theatres across the country and create a shared big-screen experience for families, children, and longtime fans alike,' he said.

This release arrives as anime titles have increasingly found strong theatrical traction in India, with franchises such as Dragon Ball and Demon Slayer drawing sizeable audiences in recent years. A wide multilingual release for Doraemon signals growing industry confidence in the genre's commercial viability beyond metropolitan centres.