Tamako Nobi, whose maiden name is Kataoka, is the mother of Nobita Nobi and the wife of Nobisuke Nobi in the Doraemon franchise. She is a stay-at-home homemaker who manages the household, handling cooking, cleaning, and budgeting, and she appears in the story far more frequently than her husband. Nobita inherits his appearance from her, including his round glasses. Her background is that of a traditional Japanese housewife, and she is the daughter of Mrs. Kataoka and the sister of Tamio Kataoka.

Tamako's personality is defined by a strict and serious demeanor, especially when it comes to her son's education and responsibilities. She is often hot-headed and quick to scold Nobita for his laziness, poor grades, and careless behavior, frequently sending him on shopping errands or punishing him for hiding his exam results. Beneath this stern exterior, however, she is a deeply caring and loving mother who genuinely worries about Nobita's future. She prepares his favorite snacks and lunches, cries with relief when he passes an exam, and becomes frightened when he runs away from home, praying for his safe return. Her love is expressed through action and discipline rather than overt sentiment, and she is known for strong maternal instincts and a kind heart, even though she can be critical and anxious when things do not go as planned.

Her primary motivation is Nobita's wellbeing and future success. She is serious about his studies because she fears his lack of effort will lead to a difficult life, and her discipline stems from genuine concern rather than anger. She also values order and responsibility within the family, pushing her husband to give up bad habits and relying on Doraemon for help with household tasks or advice on important matters. Her role in the story is that of a parental authority figure who grounds the series in everyday family life. She serves as a foil to Nobita's lazy and dreamy nature, creating much of the domestic conflict that drives Doraemon to use his gadgets to help Nobita avoid trouble or complete his chores. She also treats Doraemon as a member of the family, trusting him more than Nobita in some situations and seeking his guidance.

In terms of key relationships, Tamako's bond with Nobita is the most central. She pushes him to improve while quietly believing in his potential, and their dynamic balances her strictness with his carelessness. Her relationship with her husband is one of mutual support, though she often scolds him for his own shortcomings. With Doraemon, she shows remarkable acceptance and trust, extending her nurturing care beyond her biological son. She is also the daughter-in-law of Nobita's late grandmother and maintains ties with her own mother, Mrs. Kataoka, who appears occasionally in stories involving the past.

While Tamako's core personality remains consistent throughout the series, there is occasional development in the depth of her warmth and vulnerability. In the early manga, she was depicted as somewhat more gentle and understanding, but over time she became known for her stricter side. Nonetheless, later stories and films increasingly highlight her emotional fragility, her quiet worries, and her pride in Nobita when he succeeds. She is a realistically flawed character who represents the universal parental struggle of balancing discipline with love.

Tamako's notable abilities include her skill in managing the home, her quick thinking in crises, and her capacity to adapt to the extraordinary situations that arise from Doraemon's gadgets. She is also shown to be afraid of animals, a minor weakness that adds to her relatability. Despite her stern reputation, she is one of the most human and emotionally grounded characters in the series, embodying the quiet, often invisible labor of parenting.