Doraemon celebrates its 50th birthday with a Gucci collaboration

Following a series of fun yet glamorous collaborations with Pokemon GO and The North Face, Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele has selected the ever-popular Japanese manga Doraemon for the House’s latest collection.  

The beloved character, a cat-robot sent from the 22nd century, Doraemon chronicles the adventures of fun and mischievousness with his BFF, Nobita, as they navigate the world with the gadgets stored in his pouch. Since its debut in the 70s, artist Fujiko Fujio’s round blue feline robot has become an international sensation and cultural icon spanning several generations. 

The Doraemon x Gucci Epilogue collaboration comes just in time for Chinese New Year 2021, which commences on February 12, and also celebrates the manga’s 50th anniversary. With over 50 different products, a number of red-themed garments and accessories will surely help bring forth an auspicious 2021. 

Each item in the capsule bears the classic Doraemon figure in a range of playful and cheerful poses, from sleeping to partying in the garden, providing an affable contrast to the brand’s classic GG monogram pattern, and trademark green and red stripe accents.  

The Gucci 2021 Chinese New Year collection features its own sustainable packaging which includes fully recyclable green bags and matching swing tickets to commemorate the cartoon’s big 50. Doraemon will also take over the storefront facade and street art installations in major cities across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.  

In Shanghai and Hong Kong, the fun-loving cat will star in two Gucci Artwalls where he will post over the iconic GG motif, bringing the collection to larger-than-life scale. Check out the Doraemon x Gucci Pin coming to Harbour City Atrium January 20 through February 21 in Hong Kong, and Macau Galaxy Pearl Lobby from January 20 through February 21. 

Internationally, Gucci fans can view and purchase the items on Gucci’s digital channels and select stores worldwide. The House also sought to make the experience as futuristic and accessible as possible, with Gucci Pins, a new experience inspired by the digital pins on digital interactive maps, that creates immersive shopping experiences in several cities. In the Gucci App, users can scan the Gucci ArtWalls and the dedicated packaging to discover a special Doraemon choreography. 

Fashion has long had a fondness for manga and anime, and frankly it makes sense: classic, high street brands mixed with the world’s most beloved, imaginative manga characters sounds all “gucci” to us.  

See a selection of products from the Gucci x Doraemon collection:

See the full Gucci x Doraemon collection

See also: Where to find The North Face x Gucci collection in Hong Kong