The popular Japanese cartoon character "Doraemon" is getting an early start on his birthday celebrations. According to his profile, the robotic cat from the future was born on September the 3rd, 2112.

The popular Japanese cartoon character "Doraemon" is getting an early start on his birthday celebrations.

So in 2012, people across East Asia are holding a celebration for the centenary "Before" his birth. And it starts with an exhibition in Hong Kong this week.

100 life-size Doraemons were on display at the exhibition, each one holding one of the special gadgets that has appeared in the storyline.

Created in 1969, the story of Doraemon was originally published in a children’s magazine. It became wildly popular and went on to be published as comic books, and turned into television shows and films.

Sk Lam, Event Curator, said, "We found out that Hong Kong people love gadgets, not only the character itself, because the gadgets solve human problems. Sometimes we get this problem or sometimes we get this problem - the gadgets will help us. So for this event, I think gadgets are the key, on top of Doraemon. So we make real size Doraemon and also each of the Doraemon carries a different gadget."

The story sees Doraemon sent to the present day to improve the life of Nobita, a boy who always gets himself into countless awkward circumstances, and relies on Doraemon and his gadgets to get out of trouble.

As one of Japan’s most iconic animation characters, Doraemon is immensely popular throughout Asia.

Edwin Eng, Doraemon Fan, said, "It’s really like the Terra Cotta soldiers in Xi’an. It’s just an army of Doraemons. Each of them has its own distinct feature."

The exhibition will run until September 16th. It is free and open to the public.