He is cute, the theme song is super catchy and the gadgets he can conjure up from his pocket are unbelievably cool. If you grew up watching Doraemon – in any language – you can’t help but feel a frisson of excitement that the robotic blue cat is here in Malaysia.

From a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F Fujio in the late 1960s, Doraemon has become one of Japan’s biggest comic exports and its cultural icon, and spawned its own anime series, with a cult following around the world.

Now, to mark the year 2012, to which the 22nd-century Doraemon is sent, Doraemon World comes to life in full colour at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands in an extravaganza featuring musicals, carnivals, fairs, parades, an expo and more spread out over 15,000 sq ft.

With a life-sized town straight out of the colourful comic world, one can literally (almost!) experience the world of schoolboy Nobita Nobi, whom Doraemon helps become a better person in order to improve the fortunes of his descendants. Visitors and fans have the chance to journey through the town and relive their favourite moments from the series. Whether it’s messing around at the playground with Nobita, Gian, Shizuka and Suneo or enjoying dorayaki at the many themed food stalls throughout the arena, this is certainly a unique opportunity to get immersed in the world of the earless cat.

This paradise is not only for children either (though they will enjoy a vast number of activities including Doraemon sand art, figurine painting and customised gadget carnival booths). It’s for the teen that unwittingly came across the videos on YouTube, the youth that saw his parents’ old comic books and the adult that sat glued to the TV screen every week wondering what sci-fi toy Doraemon would call forth next from his fourth-dimension pocket.

At the sneak peek held at Pavilion KL’s Tokyo Street last month, during which Doraemon and friends emerged via the “Anywhere Door”, Japanese Ambassador HE Shigeru Nakamura delivered a heartfelt speech on the bubbly cartoon character, bestowing his full blessings on the project and throwing in some fun anecdotes of his children’s experiences with the character throughout the years.

So do take a drive up to Genting Highlands and take the “Time Tunnel” to visit the Doraemon of your childhood in this exceptional celebration of the time-honoured, much loved and bouncy character.

Doraemon World 2012
When: 23 Jan - 5 Feb
Where: Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands
Admission: RM35 (adults), RM30 (children)