Models of the famous Japanese animation character, Doraemon, and his friends, at Haidian Youth Palace in Beijing, on Wednesday, July 4, 2007.

Remember that fat Japanese cat-robot Doraemon who has an "anywhere door" to take his friends to anywhere they want? The magic door and Doraemon visited Beijing on Wednesday.

Models of the world-famous Japanese animation character and his friends were displayed in Beijing's Haidian Youth Palace for a press conference promoting a Doraemon exhibition which opens next month.

From August 11 to 26, Beijing fans will be able to have a memory flashback at the exhibition, where they get access to interactive games and toys which appeared in the animation series.

Shanghai will host the Doraemon exhibition from July 14 to 29.

On December 1, 1969, Doraemon arrived and soon became one of the most recognized faces in Japan.

He was created by animators Hiroshi Fujimoto who died in 1996 and Akido Motoo.

In the 1970s, the Doraemon animation series was a big hit which lasted even until the 1990s.

There are hundreds of cartoon volumes and TV sitcoms, and a few movies based on the stories.

Date: August 11 - 26, 9:30am - 6:30pm
Venue: Beijing Haidian Exhibition Center
Entrance: 50 RMB
Ticket Hotline: 8408 5551
 
(CRI.com July 6, 2007)