Tamako Nobi, born Tamako Kataoka, is the mother of Nobita Nobi. She appears as a slim woman wearing rounded glasses, though her specific look varies slightly across adaptations; her hair color evolved from brown in the 1973 anime to black in later versions, aligning with the manga and family consistency.

Her personality is defined by strictness, particularly regarding Nobita's academics and chores. She frequently scolds him over poor grades, neglected homework, or skipped duties, often imposing punishments like reduced pocket money. Though stern, she possesses deep maternal concern for her son's well-being. Financial responsibility is paramount to her; she routinely denies requests for non-essential items like computers or pets, prioritizing household stability.

Tamako exhibits a quick temper when provoked and an intense fear of insects, especially cockroaches, triggering frantic reactions akin to Doraemon's fear of mice. This sometimes leads to comedic situations. Curiously, her criticisms of Nobita's laziness and untidiness clash with her own childhood behavior. Past episodes reveal she was often admonished by her mother for avoiding chores, sneaking out to play, and keeping a messy room – a history that embarrasses her.

As the primary homemaker, she manages cooking, cleaning, and errands, often delegating shopping tasks to Nobita, who frequently forgets. She maintains familial order and discipline. Her maiden name, Kataoka, originating from random kanji selections by the author, is noted for its unconventional sound.

Within the family, she is married to Nobisuke Nobi and part of a lineage extending to Nobita's descendant, Sewashi. She interacts with Doraemon pragmatically, accepting him as a household member despite his robotic nature.