After finally giving this "reimagining" a fair shot, I’m here to say:
But if you want to cry your eyes out and believe in the kindness of robots (and humanity), watch Nobita and the Steel Troops 2 (Winged Angels) . nobita and the steel troops 2
If you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s, the name "Pippo" (or "Riruru" depending on your dub) probably triggers a specific kind of childhood melancholy. The original Nobita and the Steel Troops (1986) is often hailed as a masterpiece of the Doraemon franchise—a dark, philosophical war drama disguised as a kids' cartoon. After finally giving this "reimagining" a fair shot,
In Winged Angels , the antagonist is a robot named "Riruru" (a scout robot who looks like a winged angel). Here is the kicker: The film spends almost as much time with Riruru learning about human kindness as it does with Nobita. The climax isn’t about blowing up a fortress; it’s about an existential crisis of conscience. It asks the question: Can a machine programmed for war choose peace? 4. The "Goodbye" Scene Will Destroy You You know the scene. The one where the robots have to leave. The original had the famous line: "Even though we are apart, our friendship will never be erased." In Winged Angels , the antagonist is a
Winged Angels flips the script. Without spoiling the ending, the film introduces a time paradox that makes the sacrifice feel more personal. I won’t lie—I’m a 30-year-old man, and I had to pause the movie because I was crying so hard. It’s not sad; it’s bittersweet in a way only Doraemon can pull off. The original dragged a bit in the middle with war sequences. This version is tighter. It cuts some of the militia subplots and focuses on Nobita's loneliness. The message remains powerful: Technology isn't evil; the lack of empathy is. The Verdict If you want the gritty, heavy metal, cold-war anxiety of the 80s, watch the 1986 original. It’s a classic.
It’s a rare remake that justifies its existence. It doesn't replace the original; it sits right next to it on the shelf, offering a different flavor of heartbreak.