Doraemon, the beloved Japanese anime series that has been a weekend staple on Indonesian television for more than three decades, has quietly exited the broadcast schedule of national channel RCTI at the close of 2025, leaving fans and viewers in disbelief and sparking a social media uproar.
End of an Era for Indonesian Viewers
For generations of Indonesian children and families, Sunday mornings were synonymous with the blue, time-traveling robot cat from the 22nd century. The show, which follows Doraemon’s adventures with the accident-prone Nobita Nobi and friends, began airing on RCTI in the early 1990s and quickly became a cultural fixture.
However, viewers noticed at the end of December 2025 that Doraemon had vanished from RCTI’s programming lineup, a disappearance confirmed by the broadcast schedule on the station’s official RCTI+ streaming app. The show has not reappeared in its traditional Sunday morning time slot through early January 2026.
Despite its long run, no official statement has been released by RCTI explaining the reasons behind the removal or whether the show will return in the future, leaving fans to speculate on contract negotiations or broader changes in programming strategy.
Fans React with Nostalgia and Disappointment
Social media quickly became a hub for reactions, with thousands of posts on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) expressing nostalgia, disappointment, and calls for the show’s return. Many fans lamented the absence of a series they say played a significant role in their childhoods.
One fan wrote, “Please re-air Doraemon on RCTI,” while another commented, “Since Doraemon stopped airing, RCTI isn’t exciting anymore,” echoing sentiments of viewers who tuned in specifically for the anime each week.
On X, the entertainment news account @IndoPopBase, which has gained wide circulation, stated that Doraemon had “officially ended its run on RCTI after nearly four decades.” This post sparked further discussion, with many users sharing memories and debating whether the show’s removal could be permanent.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
While Doraemon continues to air in other markets and remains widely available on streaming platforms, its withdrawal from RCTI marks the end of a defining era in Indonesian broadcast television. The series, originally broadcast in Japan on TV Asahi in 1979, has enjoyed global popularity thanks to its imaginative storytelling, humor, and lessons about friendship, resilience, and problem-solving.
For many Indonesians, the robot cat’s departure from TV screens symbolizes more than just a programming change; it represents the closing of a nostalgic chapter that began with school-age viewers and extended into adulthood.
What Lies Ahead?
As it stands, RCTI has yet to clarify whether Doraemon will return under a renewed contract or if its removal is part of broader changes in audience consumption patterns, especially as younger viewers increasingly turn to digital streaming services.
Until an official announcement arrives, Doraemon’s fate on Indonesian television remains a topic of lively discussion among fans, many of whom are left holding onto cherished memories of one of animation’s longest-running icons.
By – Sonali