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.
But unlike lazy remakes that just update the animation, this one changes the plot significantly. The original was a cold war allegory about machines forgetting their humanity. Winged Angels shifts the focus to emotion and family . The villain isn't just a rogue supercomputer; there’s a tragic human element this time that feels surprisingly relevant in the age of AI. The heart of the story remains the same: Nobita finds a giant robot foot, builds the rest of the body from a sphere, and names the robot "Pippo" (Zanda Claus in some versions). The robot is amnesiac, gentle, and childlike. nobita and the steel troops 2
However, Winged Angels adds a layer of intimacy. The bond between Nobita and Pippo feels more tactile. The new animation (by Shin-Ei Animation) is stunning—fluid, bright, and expressive. When Pippo smiles, you feel it. When he cries (and yes, he cries), it’s devastating. In the 1986 film, the antagonist was a machine logic: "To save humanity, we must enslave it." Cold, efficient, terrifying. If you grew up in the 90s or
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) . The original was a cold war allegory about
So, when Nobita and the Steel Troops 2 (officially Doraemon: Nobita's New Steel Troops: ~Winged Angels~ ) dropped in 2011, fans were skeptical. A remake? Why mess with perfection?
