10 Books/Manga Like Doraemon
Doraemon is a well-beloved childhood favorite of many anime and manga fans. It was written and illustrated by Fujiko F. Fujio and was serialized in 1969. The series follows the daily adventures of a boy named Nobita and his robot cat companion Doraemon. The story was praised by many for its compelling humor, excellent educational value, and heartwarming nature. It’s spawned multiple anime, films, and merchandise and still pushes out content today despite it being released many decades ago.
If you’re in the mood for more sci-fi, slice-of-life, or comedic-themed books/manga that offer a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 10 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up with Doraemon. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, comment below and let us know!
Crayon Shin-chan – Yoshito Usui
Similarities – Slice of Life & Comedy
Crayon Shin-chan is a touching comedy series that many folks read or watched during their childhoods. While its content may not be to everyone’s liking, considering its protagonist Shinnosuke’s habits, it’s another tale with enough laughs and joyous content to warm your hearts. The story examines Shinnosuke’s daily life as he and his friends get into all types of mischief.
Like Doraemon, this story contains a great humor variety in the form of exaggerated expressions, witty jokes, and funny scenarios. From Shinnosuke showing his rear-end at people to Doraemon pulling Nobita into absurd scenarios with his futuristic gadgets, both stories deliver a good and varied portion of laughs to keep you going.
Considering both works have become cultural phenomenons over the years, you’re bound to have a stellar time reading through Crayon Shin-chan.
Dead Dead Demon’s Dededestruction – Inio Asano
Similarities – Sci-fi, Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Dead Dead Demon’s Dededestruction (DDD) may appear different on the surface, but upon closer inspection, readers will pinpoint several connections between the two. For instance, both series center around the lives of ordinary people navigating extraordinary circumstances in a world affected by outside forces.
In Doraemon, Nobita and his friends encounter various futuristic gadgets that help them solve everyday problems. DDD’s protagonists must tackle the problems that arise from an alien invasion.
Moreover, both manga highlight why it’s important to establish incredible bonds with people. Nobita learns valuable lessons by exploring different areas with Doraemon. As for DDD’s cast, they learn to confront issues regarding the alien invasion and themselves by uniting under a common cause.
If you’re looking for a sci-fi story with a great cast and a unique sci-fi world, check this one out.
The Wonderful World of Sazae-San – Machiko Hasegawa
Similarities – Slice-of-Life
For those who adored examining the fruitful lives of Nobita and Doraemon, The Wonderful World of Sazae-san should excite you. As the title suggests, the story revolves around the lives of Sazae and her family. The situations Sazae and her family experience are humorous and heartwarming. Many of their situations will remind folks of the times they spent lollygaging with their loved ones.
It will remind Doraemon fans of the joyous endeavors Nobita and Doraemon experience together, even though their journeys are taken to greater heights. The characters in Sazae-san are memorable and enjoyable to follow. From Sazae’s lovable personality to her father Namihei’s mischievous nature, you’ll adore seeing what each character brings to the table.
With its joy and charm, you’re bound to adore the silly and harmonious adventures Sazae and her family experience in this work.
Me & Roboco – Shuuhei Miyazaki
Similarities – Atmosphere, Characters, Slice-of-Life
Me & Robocco is a slice-of-life comedy with lovable robotic characters, great life lessons, and enjoyably imaginative storytelling. Like Doraemon, this tale combines aspects of humor, adventure, and heart to give readers a heartwarming and comical experience. It follows Bondo and his robot maid Roboco as they go on exciting quests together.
This dynamic duo’s endeavors mirror Nobita’s silly ventures with Doraemon. On that note, Doraemon and Roboco are likable robot companions who bring joy and laughter to their human counterpart’s lives. They do so by providing our protagonists with valuable lessons and guidance, making them notable additions to these respective tales.
If you’re after another sci-fi-themed slice-of-life series with similar character dynamics, check out Me & Roboco.
Astro Boy – Osamu Tezuka
Similarities – Sci-fi & Themes
Astro Boy is a classic sci-fi action series known for its silly characters and for helping shape anime and manga into the phenomenon it is today. It’s set in a world where robots coexist with humans. It tackles themes like AI, ethics, and technology’s hold on society. As for Doraemon, it showcases how Doraemon’s futuristic gadgets interfere with Nobita’s mundane life.
Like Fujio, Tezuka uses Astro Boy’s sci-fi setting to entice fans to contemplate about his character’s world and its issues. Astro is a phenomenal robot protagonist like Doraemon too. He’s a powerful and compassionate hero in his universe. Through his point of view, the manga explores topics such as identity and empathy, making matters feel more complex than it has any right to be.
Like Doraemon, Astro serves as a beacon of hope, and readers will resonate with the actions he displays in his series. While this story is more action-packed in comparison, it contains enough similarities to hold fans’ over.
Ninja Hattori-kun – Fujiko F. Fujio
Similarities – Comedy, Characters, Slice-of-Life
Ninja Hattori-kun is another child-friendly work from the gentleman who brought you Doraemon. This manga examines the life of a young ninja named Hattori, who attends a school with others like him. Their group often gets into trouble with rival Koga ninja and his sidekick, leading to many hilarious situations.
Despite both story’s different settings, Doraemon and Ninja Hattori-Kun have many things in common. From their focus on young protagonists’ daily lives to their emphasis on comedy and fun, you’ll love the mischief Fujio cooks up in both tales.
Hattori finds himself in a splendid supportive role similar to Doraemon. He’ll utilize his ninja expertise to assist a boy named Kenichi with his issues. This mirrors how Doraemon uses his futuristic gadgets to solve issues and to make Nobita’s life more interesting. At the same time, both characters often lead their male partners into problematic situations. These circumstances will never fail to put a smile on readers’ faces as each matter gets more amusing than the last.
If you’re okay with Ninja Hattori-kun’s less futuristic setting, then you’re in for a blast with this one.
Asari-chan – Mayumi Muroyama
Similarities – Slice-of-Life & Comedy
Asari-chan is a slice-of-life manga series that can be a hassle to complete. It’s over 1,000+ chapters long and details the life of its young female protagonist Asari as she goes about her day with her friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Like Doraemon, this story contains a wide array of characters, each with their own quirks, personalities, and appearances to help them stand out.
Furthermore, both stories implement compelling humor to push their narratives forward. Muroyama relies on Asari’s lively persona to carry readers through each short story she presents in her work. Asari’s playful persona often leads to humorous misunderstandings and comical interactions that’ll leave readers giggling in joy over her antics.
No child-friendly work would be complete without delving into important life lessons and values. Like Doraemon, Asari-chan highlights why it’s important for someone to be determined, honest, and caring. Through Asari’s eyes, you’ll remember why displaying acts of kindness toward others can often lead you toward a better and more fulfilling life.
For those seeking a similar blend of humor, friendship, and life lessons, give some of its chapters a read.
Mumurin – Yuuki Iwai
Similarities – Sci-fi, Comedy, Slice-of-Life
If Asari-chan’s vast array of chapters is a daunting task to you, then Mumurin might be a great option for you. It’s only 36 chapters long and delivers a story with a likable protagonist and a charming narrative with valuable life lessons.
In Mumurin, we follow Mumurin, an alien, whose infatuated with space travel but crash lands on Earth. He ends up in an elementary school student named Kota’s room. This leads to various funny and wholesome shenanigans taking place between our two leads.
Like Doraemon’s character, Mumurin is a small and mischievous creature with a caring attitude. Mumurin and Kota form a solid connection over time, similar to how it took Nobita a good while to strengthen his connection with Doraemon. In addition to exploring themes like friendship and teaching readers why it’s best to be considerate of others, Mumurin is a nice, child-friendly work that’ll appeal to Doraemon enthusiasts.
Takopi’s Original Sin – Taizan 5
Similarities – Sci-Fi & Themes
Chinpui – Fujiko F. Fujio
Similarities – Comedy
Reeling things back toward the wholesome spectrum, we’d like to recommend Fujio’s Chinpui. This supernatural comedy follows Eris, as she’s confronted by strange aliens from the planet Mal. They want Eris to marry their prince, but she refuses, resulting in one of them staying behind. Therefore, the story focuses on Eris’s daily endeavors with her new alien companion.
Like Doraemon, this tale contains fabulous humor. The humor varies from comical banter amongst the cast to humorous situations caused by our human protagonist’s otherworldly companions.
Chinpui leans heavily toward the episodic spectrum, giving readers a refreshing yet relatable morsel of content to digest per chapter. Both stories touch upon valuable lessons involving friendship and the importance of making solid decisions.
If you’re looking for another story that’s from the same mind behind Doraemon, check out Chinpui.
So there we have it, our 10 books/manga to read after you’re caught up with Doraemon.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!