Go Tokyo Your Experience
When discussing Nobita’s school performance in “Doraemon,” it’s universally acknowledged that he struggles significantly. His abysmal test scores and frequent tardiness, often resulting in hallway punishment, are well-known. Recently, Japanese netizens have been discussing whether Nobita’s poor grades and habitual lateness might be linked to one underlying issue: his home being too far from school. How much does the distance between home and school impact one’s attitude towards learning? Let’s delve into the analysis provided by Japanese netizens.
Nobita’s Frequent Tardiness
Nobita’s regular punishment for being late to school is a common theme in “Doraemon.” A Japanese netizen, nicknamed “Onigiri,” sparked a heated discussion on X (formerly Twitter) about Nobita’s persistent tardiness.
“Onigiri” shared an illustration by Tsutomu Shibayama, the seasoned director of the “Doraemon” TV series and numerous movies, depicting the city layout from the show.
The map clearly shows that Nobita’s house is located near the bottom right corner, while the school is at the top left, with about five blocks in between. This observation led many netizens to conclude that the long distance is a major reason for Nobita’s consistent lateness.
Additionally, some netizens noted that academic performance seems to inversely correlate with distance from school. Dekisugi and Shizuka, who live closest to the school, are top students, followed by Gian and Suneo, with Nobita living the furthest away. The theory is that shorter commutes leave more time for studying and rest.
Interestingly, the vacant lot where the main characters often gather is closest to Nobita’s house. This led some to speculate that the group might be accommodating Nobita’s location for their gatherings.
Netizens’ Reactions
Netizens have had varied reactions to this discussion:
“It is kind of far… (laughs)”
“With that distance and his habit of oversleeping, it’s no wonder he can’t make it on time.”
“That could also explain why Dekisugi is such a good student.”
“For an elementary school student, that distance is quite challenging.”
“The school is further than I expected, and the hill isn’t right behind it either. There’s quite a distance.”
“It looks like about 1,200 to 1,500 meters on foot, which is pretty far for an elementary student.”
“The shortest route from Nobita’s house to the school gate passes about 30 houses (mostly detached with yards), which should be around 800 to 1,000 meters. While it’s far, it’s probably still within the school district.”
“It might be less than a kilometer, which takes about 15 minutes on foot for a child. It’s not too far but not close either. Someone like Nobita, who often oversleeps, should ideally live closer to school. By the way, the city map in the show looks like this.”
“Given this distance, Nobita’s home might be out of the school district. It seems his parents wanted him to attend a better school with students like Dekisugi and Shizuka. They likely relied on Doraemon for the distance problem.”
“Everyone being considerate and choosing to play near Nobita’s house is really sweet.”
“Gian and Suneo even pass the vacant lot to fetch Nobita. How considerate!”
“The settings have evolved quite a bit since the early days. (Though this map doesn’t match the show’s depiction.)”
Conclusion
So, do you live farther from your school than Nobita? Have you felt that your grades were affected by the distance? The discussion sheds light on how commute distances can impact students’ school performance and punctuality, with insights from fans providing a deeper understanding of Nobita’s daily struggles.