Doraemon: Nobita and the Haunts of Evil

The film opens with a dog wandering the streets of Tokyo who unexpectedly convinces a larger dog to run off. Nobita is pressured by Gian and Suneo to join an expedition to an unexplored part of the world for spring break, so he pleads with Doraemon for help. Doraemon reveals a gadget capable of taking pictures of the African continent, kickstarting the journey.

Nobita's attempt to shoo away the stray dog backfires when his mother loses her purse, and the dog helps her find it. Impressed by the dog's loyalty, Nobita's mother agrees to keep him as a pet. They name the dog Peko to honor its helpful deed.

After the trip planning, Peko stays behind to search through the photos and uncovers a mysterious giant statue hidden in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dekisugi helps them deduce that the statue's location is shrouded by thick fog that bars exploration, a fog Doraemon's satellite pictures ignore. Excited by the possibility, Nobita, Doraemon, and friends decide to expedition to Congo with Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo.

The group consults Dekisugi and confirms the plan to explore the fog-bound region for the statue. Doraemon, Nobita, Shizuka, Gian, Suneo, and Peko prepare for the journey and set out with high hopes. They reach the starting point of the expedition.

On the first day, the group's reliance on Doraemon's gadgets irks Gian, who storms off and vows not to return. The rest press on, trying to prove they can handle the mission without him. The departure foreshadows the upcoming challenges and tensions.

That night, the mysterious statue visits Gian in his bedroom, speaking of hidden treasures and challenging him to prove he can be a true man before vanishing. The encounter unsettles him but plants a seed of curiosity. He decides to rejoin the group the next day.

The next day Gian re-joins and insists that Doraemon leave behind all gadgets. The group travels a crocodile-infested river aboard a makeshift ship, but a crash into a rock damages their craft and the Anywhere Door is eaten by crocodiles, forcing them to seek help from a nearby native village.

The village elders explain that the road to the statue goes through a lion-filled savanna and a deep gorge, and warn that defying the path could anger their village. The group's confidence wavers, especially Gian who once again tests the locals' patience. That night, the party camps and faces their precarious situation without Doraemon's gadgets.

In the savanna, the statue reappears and drives the lions away, signaling a turning point. At the gorge's bottom, Peko reveals his royal canine lineage and explains the conspire of Daburanda and Dr. Kos to conquer the world. Doraemon and friends decide to rescue Burusasu and Chippo, while Spiana remains captive in Daburanda's palace.

Burusasu mentions a prophecy that ten travelers will move the statue's heart to save the palace, but the group realizes only five travelers are present. Doraemon uses the Anticipating Promise Machine to satisfy their hunger and promise to fulfill the vow the following day. The group steels themselves for the looming confrontation.

The night erupts into battle as a second Doraemon-Nobita group arrives, armed with gadgets to aid in the fight against Daburanda's army. Nobita faces Saberu with the Denkomaru sword, barely prevailing before Dr. Kos's aerial fleet forces a retreat. The heroes push toward the statue's heart, determined to reach the mechanism.

The groups converge at the statue's heart, the mechanism activates, and the statue comes alive to defeat Dr. Kos and his army. Daburanda flees toward the palace, attempting to seize Princess Spiana, but Peko uses the statue to rescue her and restore order to the kingdom. Peko is proclaimed rightful ruler, and Doraemon provides a new Anywhere Door for the return home.

Back home, the friends realize they still owe the promise from the Anticipating Promise Machine and head toward the Time Machine to travel back in time to aid their past selves in entering the statue. They prepare to fight Daburanda's army again, ensuring the statue's heart would be moved. The film ends with their resolve to repeat the mission to protect the statue.