Gian (Takeshi Goda) from Stand By Me Doraemon: A Guide to This Glico Japan-Limited Collectible Figure
A Classic Character from Japan’s Most-Loved Franchise
This figure depicts Gian — real name Takeshi Goda — one of the most recognizable characters in the Doraemon universe. The nickname “Gian” comes from the English word “Giant,” a nod to his imposing presence in the neighborhood. He is Nobita’s boisterous, strong-armed classmate: loud, domineering, and yet surprisingly loyal when it counts. He is also famous across Japan for one particular running gag — an unshakeable belief in his own singing talent, despite the evidence, which forces his friends to sit through his legendary recitals. That mix of bluster and warmth has made Gian a fan favorite for decades.
The figure captures him in a pose that suits his personality well: seated cross-legged, right fist clenched at his chest, projecting the confidence he’s known for. He wears his signature orange short-sleeve shirt with a purple zigzag pattern and purple trousers — exactly the outfit faithful to both the original manga by Fujiko F. Fujio and the long-running anime series. The Doraemon franchise dates back to 1969, when it first appeared in Japanese learning magazines, and the anime has been running in various forms since 1973. In Japan, it occupies a cultural space comparable to how Western audiences relate to their own childhood classics.
The Stand By Me Films and This Style of Collectible
Stand By Me Doraemon was a landmark moment for the franchise. Released in 2014 and directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryuichi Yagi, it was a full 3D CG film that reimagined several of Fujiko F. Fujio’s short stories into a single emotional narrative. It earned over 8.3 billion yen at the Japanese box office — the highest-grossing Doraemon film ever made. A sequel, Stand By Me Doraemon 2, followed in 2020 under the same creative team. Both films were released theatrically across much of Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Based on available information, this figure most likely ties to the 2014 film, though a connection to the 2020 sequel cannot be fully ruled out.
The figure was produced by Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd., the Osaka-based food company founded in 1922. Glico has been including small toy premiums inside confectionery products since 1927, making them one of the oldest and most storied names in Japan’s food-toy culture. These “omake” (bonus) items exist within a distinct tradition that predates the better-known shokugan (food-toy) boom of later decades. Because Japanese consumer regulations limit how much a bundled premium can cost relative to the food product itself, these figures are compact by design — but they are crafted and painted pieces, not generic plastic. The “Japan Limited” designation reflects genuine regional exclusivity: this item was distributed solely through Japanese domestic retail channels as part of a confectionery purchase, which is the only way such pieces entered circulation.
Why Collectors Outside Japan Seek These Out
Doraemon’s reach extends well beyond Japan. The franchise has a deeply established fanbase across Southeast Asia and East Asia, and growing visibility in Western markets through platforms like Netflix has introduced the series to new audiences. For collectors, the appeal of a figure like this one lies in its specific context: it is tied to a culturally significant film release, produced by a brand with genuine heritage, and distributed through a channel — candy packaging — that kept the quantities modest and the international supply naturally limited. Gian himself draws particular interest among enthusiasts. As the series’ enduring “tough guy” who is also genuinely funny and occasionally tender, he occupies a unique space in the cast, and dedicated Gian collectors are a consistent presence in the Doraemon collector community worldwide.
Price: $13.76 | View on eBay
