Recently, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has called for a ban on popular Japanese manga and anime series Doraemon for its “harmful impact on children.”
“Cartoon channels on 24 hours are having a negative impact on the educational and physical well-being of children,” Read the resolution.
However, this is not the first time that this Cartoon series has come under scrutiny and condemnation.
In the past, India’s Ashish Chaturvedi, whistleblower of Vyapam scam, had also called for a ban on the cartoon. “When I saw a young boy imitating ‘Nobita Nobi’ (the main character of Doraemon) I clapped for him. But, I was completely shocked when his parents said that he was so addicted to Doraemon and they have not been able to get him out of ‘Nobita’ he was aping. He keeps asking for gadgets or hoping for a miracle to happen, just like Nobita,” said Chaturvedi
Furthermore, in 2014, Chinese newspapers cautioned their countrymen against Doraemon saying, Beware of this “blue fatty” — the Japanese are exporting their values through him. Three major Chinese newspapers fired accusations against Doraemon for its “political overtones” and being a tool of Japan’s “cultural invasion.”
Similarly, the Doraemon’s ‘Nobita’ has been a source of controversy and uneasiness among the Pakistani parents as well.
Parents have alleged that the cartoon series is indoctrinating children and making them lazy. The main character of the cartoon series, Nobita has been criticized for being lazy and using ‘nonexistent’ gadgets that execute his works magically.
Parents have also accused the cartoon series of exposing romance to children of tender age. The two main characters of the cartoon, Nobita and Shezuka, are often showed as romancing with each other. Parents have condemned the cartoon for showing unsuitable scenes and lines. The lines such as “Shizuka, tum tou raat ko ghar pe akeli hogi na? Main ajaun ta ke tumhain darr na lagey?” have alarmed the parents.
Furthermore, parents have complaint that the cartoon is having harmful impact on the cultural values which expects children to respect their parents. For example, when Doraemon gives a gadget to Nobita, he tests it on his mother. When something happens to the mother, he says ‘Maa tum abi tak nai sudhri’. And then goes on to his love Shizuka and if that gadget harms her, he throws away the gadget crying, ‘Shizuka Mujh se naraz hogai’. Also calls his mother ‘Ghamandi’.
The teachers have also expressed their concerns regarding the language young students were adopting from the cartoon series’ characters. “The cartoon is justifying laziness,” said a teacher.
Earlier, Parhlo.com, a youth based viral content website, had also published several articles addressing the negative impact the cartoon series was having on the young minds.
