The atomic cat without any ears.
Created by the manga team Fujiko Fujio in 1969, the story of Doraemon involves an robot atomic cat from the future that is sent back in time from the 22nd century by Sewashi to improve the lot of his great-great grandfather, Nobita, and thus improve the lot of his descendants.
Unfortunately such is the state that his descendants have found themselves in, the robot, Doraemon, is broken. His ears were eaten by a robot mouse, leaving him with severe musophobia. He is also rather panicky.
There was series made in 1973, which in echo of Lupin’s first series, failed to catch on. However a second series started in 1979 and this time ran until March 2005. Then 3 weeks later, a new Doraemon series, with a new cast, started.
Now, the popularity of Doraemon transcends the actual manga and anime. You see, Doraemon has acquired the position of icon. He could exist solely as merchandise now, without ever needing have another anime or manga made of him. In fact considering the Fujiko Fujio partnership split up in 1987 and co-creator Fujiko F. died in 1996, any new manga and anime made can be seen as part of that merchandising of the character.
Despite his popularity around the world, the cat hasn’t broken big into the Anglophone market as yet. Which is why the US government’s website for the FCC are using a blatent rip-off of Doraemon as it’s mascot without any problem. Supposedly Shogakukan and Fujiko Pro warned the FCC in 2004, but that cat is still there.
It is possible to see the show in English however as a few episodes and films have been fansubbed.
Dora-world
Doraemon on Wikipedia
Doraemon fansubs
FCC Kids Zone