Shougakukan Apologizes for Inappropriate Expression in Doraemon

by ap19
Apr 23, 2012 3:27 PM | 22 Comments

According to narinari.com, Shougakukan made an official apology after finding "an expression inappropriate for kids' anime" in the 1979 version of Doraemon. The "inappropriate expression" consisted of a 2-second scene, in which the word "condom" could be read in katakana, while the surrounding language implied sexual behavior. Shougakukan explains this scene as a "doodle" by the staff members of the time. The DVDs containing this scene were released on Novemeber 18th, 2009 and February 25th, 2011, and Shougakukan also apologized for "not being able to grasp the situation for such a long period of time."

The current DVD stock in stores and rentals will be replaced, and exchange support will become available for customers.

Source: narinari.com, image of scene (Japanese)

20 of 22 Comments Recent Comments

I think I've read about this. I was like.. WTH??!!

Apr 24, 2012 9:40 AM by tsubasalover

Hearing this news some kids may search for that scene lol ..

Apr 24, 2012 2:29 AM by TrOjAnHoRsE

Saying sorry is all well and good, but a product recall is just a little over the top. The word "condom" is unlikely to destroy innocent childhoods...

Apr 24, 2012 2:19 AM by Nayukuo

Those box-sets are antiques now. The value has increased further thanks to this hype.

Apr 24, 2012 12:42 AM by BoaCC

Too late. I'll never forgive them for that tasteless "doodle"

Apr 24, 2012 12:13 AM by Sir_Lexa

Hmm, I don't really know how to feel about this, on one hand I guess it's good to apologize if you feel it is needed, but on the other hand, it's not like hiding sexual stuff in kids animation is anything new, just look at a lot of the infamous clips in Disney movies so if they were apologizing just because someone wanted them too, they've got plenty more to complain about.

Apr 23, 2012 10:59 PM by ShadowGilgamesh

Ok, if anyone did get offended by this, they are on a "die in a fire" list for being worthless and annoying people.

Otherwise this is really funny.

Apr 23, 2012 9:02 PM by kkslider5552000

That's a clever way to say "Hey everybody go and buy Doraemon on DVD!". :D

Apr 23, 2012 8:15 PM by GundamGod

it's never too late to apologize i say

Apr 23, 2012 7:37 PM by Mr_Gutts

childhood ruin

anyone?

Apr 23, 2012 6:07 PM by tembikai

lmao exchanging dvds for a 2 second scene which you probably never noticed

Apr 23, 2012 5:55 PM by foot_licker

I think the kiddies who saw this back in 1979 probably know what condoms are by now.
...Probably.

Apr 23, 2012 5:37 PM by SurferDude

This apology was wasted, it's nearly 40 years too late.

Apr 23, 2012 5:06 PM by Hoppy

they should promote it as a rarity instead.

Apr 23, 2012 5:01 PM by kisami

Don't worry, Doraemon will still be one of the children's favorite TV show. (I hope).

Apr 23, 2012 4:59 PM by CapnDavid

Them apologizing this late is just going to draw more attention to it regardless lol. Better just learn from the mistake and move on. Guess not..

Apr 23, 2012 4:29 PM by Fateism

Well since this is a 30 year old issue, how about we ask the people who watched this if that scene warped and twisted their innocent minds and forced them to later become prostitutes and meth addicts hiding from the law while running from their debt.

Then we'll know if an apology was even necessary.

Apr 23, 2012 4:23 PM by Malware

maybe its me, but does anyone find this stupidly unnecessary? i mean it was a hell of a long time ago.

but if this got ppl to STFU than good job on him

Apr 23, 2012 4:22 PM by supermegasonic

whoa kind of late there lol

Apr 23, 2012 4:14 PM by KinkyMegane

Japan's awesomeness.

Apr 23, 2012 4:13 PM by -MgZ_

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