Doraemon: Nobita and the Haunts of Evil

Doraemon: Nobita and the Haunts of Evil, released in 1982, is the third feature film in the long-running Doraemon franchise. Produced by Shin-Ei Animation and directed by Hideo Nishimaki, the film was conceived during the height of the franchise's popularity in Japan, following the successful transition of the manga series to the silver screen. It reflects the signature tone of the series, blending lighthearted science fiction adventure with themes of environmental discovery and childhood friendship.

The film's narrative, which follows Nobita and his friends as they discover a mysterious uncharted jungle, was heavily influenced by the pulp adventure stories popular at the time. The animation and character design remained faithful to creator Fujiko F. Fujio’s original manga aesthetic, emphasizing expressive, simplified shapes that allowed for fluid physical comedy. Upon its release, it was well-received by Japanese audiences, solidifying the film series as an annual cultural tradition for families and helping to establish the adventure-focused genre tropes that would define subsequent Doraemon movies.