In a groundbreaking announcement that marks a significant milestone for one of anime’s most beloved franchises, the 2026 Doraemon film will become the first movie in the series’ storied 45-year history to offer immersive 4D screenings. According to Anime News Network, Eiga Doraemon: Shin Nobita no Kaitei Kiganjō (Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil) will feature both MX4D and 4DX technologies when it opens in Japanese theaters on February 27, 2026, bringing a revolutionary multi-sensory experience to fans of the iconic blue robot cat.
A Franchise First: Diving Into 4D Technology
The announcement, revealed through a new trailer and poster on January 27, 2026, represents a historic moment for the Doraemon franchise. For over four decades, the series has captivated audiences through traditional theatrical presentations, but this marks the first time that fans will be able to experience Nobita’s adventures through cutting-edge 4D cinema technology. The staff also released a dedicated video guide explaining the 4D screening experience using both competing MX4D and 4DX systems.
What exactly can audiences expect from these immersive screenings? The 4D viewing experience will feature synchronized motion seats that move in perfect harmony with the on-screen action, along with an array of environmental effects including simulated smells, vibrations, lighting effects, wind, and water spray. Imagine feeling the ocean spray as Doraemon and his friends explore the underwater world, or experiencing the rumble of mysterious creatures lurking in the depths—all while your seat moves in sync with their adventures.
Understanding 4DX and MX4D Technologies
For those unfamiliar with these immersive cinema formats, both 4DX and MX4D represent the cutting edge of theatrical entertainment, transforming passive movie-watching into an active, multi-sensory experience. 4DX, developed by South Korean company CJ 4DPlex, and MX4D, created by MediaMation Inc., both augment films with practical effects that extend beyond the screen.
These technologies have been successfully implemented for major Hollywood blockbusters and select anime releases in recent years, but their application to the Doraemon franchise represents a significant expansion of 4D technology into one of Japan’s most cherished family entertainment properties. The underwater setting of this particular film makes it an ideal candidate for the full spectrum of 4D effects—water sprays can simulate ocean environments, motion seats can replicate the sensation of swimming or riding in Doraemon’s gadgets, and scent generators can evoke the mysterious atmosphere of undersea kingdoms.
Remaking a Classic: The 1983 Original
The 2026 film serves as a remake of the classic 1983 movie Doraemon the Movie: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil, which has remained a beloved entry in the franchise for over 43 years. This makes it the 45th 2D anime film in the Doraemon theatrical series (not counting the 3D CG Stand By Me Doraemon films), marking a significant milestone in the franchise’s evolution.
The original 1983 film took audiences on an underwater adventure exploring the mythical lost civilizations of Mu and Atlantis. The remake promises to bring this classic story to a new generation with updated animation, modern storytelling sensibilities, and now, the added dimension of 4D immersion. The plot centers on Nobita and his friends who, disagreeing over summer vacation camping plans, decide to camp in the middle of the ocean at Doraemon’s suggestion. Using secret gadgets like the “Underwater Buggy” and the “Tekio Light,” the group embarks on an undersea camping adventure where they encounter various creatures and mysterious underwater civilizations.
Creative Team and Voice Cast
Helming this ambitious project is director Tetsuo Yajima, known for his work on Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle and Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us. Yajima has extensive experience with the Doraemon franchise, having directed episodes of the television anime and contributed to previous films including Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s New Great Adventure into the Underworld (2007), Doraemon the Movie: Nobita and the Steel Troops: The New Age (2011), and Doraemon: Nobita’s Earth Symphony (2024). The screenplay is penned by Isao Murayama, another veteran of the television anime with credits including Witchy Precure!, Star Twinkle Precure, and Bakugan.
The voice cast includes new additions that bring fresh energy to the underwater adventure. Shōya Chiba voices El, a soldier of the Mu Federation tasked with keeping watch over Doraemon and his friends when they arrive at the ocean floor. In an interesting creative choice, Ryō Hirohashi provides the voice for the Mizunaka Buggy (Underwater Buggy), the amphibious vehicle that serves as one of Doraemon’s secret gadgets—giving personality to what would traditionally be an inanimate object.
Why 4D Matters for Anime
The decision to bring 4D technology to Doraemon represents more than just a gimmick—it signals the anime industry’s continued embrace of innovative exhibition formats to enhance storytelling and attract audiences to theaters in an era of streaming dominance. While 4D screenings have been offered for various anime properties in recent years, including special attractions at Universal Studios Japan, a full theatrical release with nationwide 4D availability for a major franchise film represents a significant investment in the technology’s potential.
The underwater setting of New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil provides natural opportunities for 4D effects to enhance the narrative experience. Ocean environments allow for creative use of water effects, the sensation of diving and swimming can be conveyed through motion seats, and the mysterious atmosphere of lost underwater civilizations can be amplified through lighting, fog, and scent effects. For younger audiences especially, the combination of Doraemon‘s imaginative storytelling with tangible physical sensations could create lasting memories that traditional screenings cannot match.
The Doraemon Legacy
Since the first Doraemon theatrical film debuted in 1980 with Nobita’s Dinosaur, the franchise has released an annual movie that has become a cultural institution in Japan, typically opening in March to coincide with spring break. These films have collectively grossed billions of yen and attracted hundreds of millions of viewers over more than four decades, making Doraemon one of the most successful anime franchises in history.
The series, created by Fujiko F. Fujio, follows the adventures of Nobita Nobi, an underachieving elementary school student, and Doraemon, a robotic cat from the 22nd century who travels back in time to help him. Armed with an endless supply of futuristic gadgets from his four-dimensional pocket, Doraemon helps Nobita navigate childhood challenges, though their adventures often spiral into grand-scale escapades involving time travel, parallel dimensions, and lost civilizations.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Theatrical Anime
The introduction of 4D screenings for the 2026 Doraemon film could potentially influence how other major anime franchises approach theatrical releases. If successful, it may encourage other long-running series to experiment with immersive formats, particularly for films with action-heavy sequences or unique environmental settings that lend themselves to sensory effects.
For fans planning to experience the film, theaters offering 4D screenings typically charge premium ticket prices compared to standard 2D or 3D presentations, reflecting the additional technology and maintenance required. However, for families and longtime Doraemon enthusiasts, the opportunity to experience this franchise first in such an innovative format may prove irresistible.
Conclusion
As Eiga Doraemon: Shin Nobita no Kaitei Kiganjō prepares to make history as the first Doraemon film with 4D screenings, it represents both a celebration of the franchise’s past and a bold step into its future. By reimagining a beloved 1983 classic with modern animation techniques and cutting-edge exhibition technology, the film promises to deliver an experience that honors the series’ legacy while embracing innovation. When the film opens on February 27, 2026, audiences will have the unprecedented opportunity to not just watch Doraemon’s underwater adventure, but to feel like they’re truly part of it.
Whether this marks the beginning of a new era for Doraemon theatrical releases or remains a special one-time experiment, it undeniably represents a significant moment in the franchise’s 45-year cinematic history. For fans who have grown up with Doraemon’s adventures, experiencing them through the immersive power of 4D technology offers a fresh way to connect with characters and stories that have been cherished across generations.