From Doraemon To Shinchan: How Cartoons Became My Greatest Teachers

When Teacher’s Day comes around, we often thank our elders, mentors, or even friends for the lessons they’ve given us. But how often do we pause to thank the fictional characters who, through their humour and unforgettable stories, managed to teach us some of life’s biggest lessons?

My earliest memories are nestling in front of the television screen, where I would sit for hours, completely lost in the world of cartoons. Those days were truly magical, the kind of enthusiasm we carried for our favourite shows that somehow doesn’t seem to exist anymore.

Even with endless commercial breaks and the same episodes being aired again and again, our eyes would still sparkle watching it. If my parents switched off the TV or changed the channel midway, I’d simply run over to a friend’s house to finish the episode. That was our childhood; simple, chaotic, and full of little joys.

Those were the days when there was just one device at home to watch everything. The remote was a battlefield, and whoever won it ruled the house. The disappointment of missing your favourite show, the scowls and sulks that followed, it all feels like a distant memory now. But cartoons weren’t just about laughter and fun. They quietly slipped in life lessons in the lightest, most heartwarming ways. And perhaps, that makes them teachers in their own right.

Doraemon: The Pyaara Sa Chamatkar

Take Doraemon, for instance, a show we all adored. Nobita, the main character, was far from perfect. He failed his tests, got scolded all the time, and couldn’t play sports or even save himself from danger. Yet, he remained the unforgettable main character because of his soft heart and his constant effort to become better, no matter how many times he stumbled.

Almost every episode began the same way: Nobita pleading with Doraemon for a gadget to get things done. And while those magical tools brought him quick fixes, the ending usually reminded us that shortcuts never truly worked. The moments when Nobita chose to try, to put in real effort, were the ones that turned him into a true hero.

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Isn’t that just like life? We all feel tempted by the easier route. But does it ever guarantee us real success? And even if it does, isn’t it only for a short while? If Teacher’s Day is about thanking those who guide us, maybe Nobita deserves a little gratitude for teaching us perseverance, and Doraemon for teaching us the importance of responsibility.

Tumko Hasa Dega Shinchan!

And then there was Shinchan. His fan base has always been loyal, and no matter how old we are, it’s still a show we can watch on loop. Shinchan was a complete goofball, armed with sarcastic humour and mischief. His lighthearted banter with those around him showed us that staying relaxed often makes life a lot less stressful. The way he would suddenly switch costumes, break into silly dances, and make us laugh reflected the carefree essence of childhood itself.

Today, when parents expect their children to excel at everything, Shinchan feels oddly relevant. In the race to raise prodigies, his larger-than-life persona reminds us that being easygoing doesn’t make you childish; it makes you human. Sometimes, laughter and lightness are just as important as ambition and achievement.

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Looking back, maybe the biggest lesson cartoons gave us was this: the harder path may be slower, but it always leaves us with a story worth remembering. And the lighter path, filled with laughter and silliness, reminds us not to lose our joy in the process.

Views expressed by the author are their own.