The streets of Tsim Sha Tsui were abuzz with excitement this past weekend as the highly anticipated “100% Doraemon & Friends” exhibition kicked off, drawing legions of devoted fans to marvel at the iconic robotic cat and his magical gadgets.
The ticketed exhibition, housed within the sleek confines of K11 Musea, opened its doors to eager crowds on Saturday, with some fans arriving as early as 6 a.m. to secure their place in line. Among them was a young couple, second in the queue, who recalled fondly how they grew up watching Doraemon’s adventures and dreamed of using his time-traveling abilities to revisit the past.
“The excitement was palpable,” said one visitor, who admitted to plans of spending around HK$3,000 on merchandise, with the “Anywhere Door” ranking as his must-have item. A mainland tourist took her devotion to new heights, splurging a whopping HK$6,400 on souvenirs for herself and her friends.
Outside the ticketed exhibition, the free-entry zone at the Avenue of Stars offered its own dazzling display, featuring a towering 12-meter inflatable Doraemon sculpture – the tallest of its kind in the world – surrounded by 34 life-sized, 1:1 scale statues of the lovable cat and 10 of his companions.
The indoor exhibition itself promised an immersive experience, with an exclusive animated short film, interactive installations, and 17 sets of sculptures showcasing the series’ iconic characters and gadgets. But the real showstopper was the sculpture park, which unveiled 36 never-before-seen, life-sized Doraemon sculptures, including 13 movie-inspired designs and 23 whimsical transformations, such as the Sweet Potato Doraemon and the Nobita-Doraemon hybrid.
Despite the exhibition’s extension until August 18 due to overwhelming public demand, all tickets have already been snapped up. However, those eager to bask in the Doraemon fever can still make online reservations for the free-entry zone.
As one fan aptly summed up, “Doraemon has been a part of our lives for generations, and this exhibition is a dream come true for every fan. It’s a must-see spectacle that transports us right into the world of our beloved robot cat.”
