What is Domo-kun?
“A strange creature that hatched from an egg..“
Domo Kun was created in 1998 as NHK’s satellite broadcast mascot, Domo has been gaining great popularity worldwide. A series of Domo Kun puppet animations, newly made for overseas markets, has been sold in more countries than “Oshin,” NHK’s popular 1980s morning drama series.
NHK's Mascot
Why a character with the shape of a sofa cushion and a gaping smile, looking run-down and laid-back and saying nothing but his name domo, is so popular?
Domo Kun first appearance was in short stop-motion sketches in December 1998 to mark the 10th year anniversary of NHK’s satellite broadcasting. The Domo sketches are about the relaxed days of Domo Kun, a strange creature that hatched from an egg that had fallen into a cave where an old rabbit named Mr.Usaji or in the original Japanese version, Usajii which in Japanese translates to “old rabbit,” was leading a secluded life.
Other characters appearing in the sketches include a girl weasel named “Tashanna.” The main character Domo, is said to have been named “Domo Kun” as it became able to say only “domo” after a former NHK TV announcer Shizuo Yamakawa, who happened to be appearing on-screen after Domo Kun was hatched from his egg, uttered the word. The meaning of “domo” varies by Japanese context, but it often can be translated as “hello” or “thanks” & “kun” is a Japanese honorific or title given usually to young adults, similar to North Americas’ “Mr.” Domo Kun roughly translates to “Mr.Thank You” or “Mr.Hello.”
Even in this time when computer graphics are known as a universal solution, the creation of a puppet animation such as the Domo Kun stop-motion animations requires a lot of hands-on labor. Animators have to constantly change the position or pose of the puppets little by little to act out the scenes. Since the work requires a lot of money as well, Domo Kun animation sketches usually last for about six seconds. Even the longest version only lasted for about 30 seconds.
Domo Kun caught the eye of television program producers overseas, who asked NHK if it had more programs featuring the character Domo Kun. In response to the growing popularity of Domo Kun, NHK decided to make a Domo Kun television program. When it showed a five-minute pilot program a few years ago at an international trade fair of television programs, NHK was overwhelmed with inquires from foreign TV stations, particularly those specializing in children’s programs.
Having increased the number of characters in Domo Kun’s world, NHK made 26 two-minute episodes, mainly targeting the North American market. The first episode shows Domo Kun hatching inside Mr.Usaji’s hole.
Shows the mysterious Domo Kun hatching from an egg, inside Mr.Usaji's home.
Domo Kun, who originally started as a simple mascot, quickly grew to become a super star! with it’s own brand, TV show and merchandise
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Different?
A quick trip to Tashanna’s house strikes interest into both the minds of Mr.Usaji and Domo, Domo and Mr.Usaji realize a difference between the t.v in Tashanna’s house and Mr.Usaji’s. As Tashanna does confirm the difference Domo drifts off into fantasy land and thinks that the “difference” would be the ability to fly. As Mr.Usaji [...]
Don’t Sleep
In the world of Domo kun, Domo appears to have day and night mixed up as day’s go by he stays up all night and sleeps all day. In the night he stays up to watch interesting t.v programs(i wonder what it is that he’s watching) while keeping up Mr.Usaji , and during the [...]
Rain Song
This episode of Domo kun is a very calming one as a beautiful tune plays while Domo, Mr.Usaji, Maya and Mario sit inside on a rainy day watching TV. Domo feels like he should go get Tashanna to come and join them. Tashanna feels like something is wrong as she sits in her house [...]
Tashanna Sleeps
Domo Kun decides to visit new friend Tashanna today, I guess it’s to get to “know” her a little better. Domo brings flowers for Tashanna however it seems the need to be yummy in order for her to have any interest in them, poor domo. Then Tashanna offers Domo some high quality tea which [...]
Tashanna Enters
On another fun filled episode of Domo-Kun, Domo is outside Dominating the wild life outside of Mr.Usaji’s hole when a new face pops up. while Domo is pretty much stuck in shock the newcomer Tashanna’s first thought is that Domo is a strange chocolate which is a strange thought come to think of it, [...]
Domo Cooking 2000
Eight Domo Kun episode. Mr.Usaji is watching a food channel and sees a dish that interests him, so Domo Kun decides to make it! Sadly, the dish looks nothing like the one on TV, and it’s smell alone knocked Mario the bat down. Mr.Usaji looses his appetite from the dish alone, but Domo [...]
First Snow
Seventh Domo Kun episode. This is a winter special, in celebration of BS Satellites 10th year anniversary. Domo Kun wants to play but Mr.Usaji tells him he’s busy watching TV, Mario the bat does the same. being so focused to the television, Mr.Usaji & everyone else didn’t notice Domo had left. Mr.Usaji looks outside [...]
It’s Difficult to Go
Sixth Domo Kun episode. Domo Kun wants to get a job, particularly on on television. Domo tries to convince Mr.Usaji by showing him a few Domo versions as a anchor man, a rockstar and even an anime character, which I though as pretty awesome. Maya the bat steps in on Domo kun’s [...]
Domo VS Garera
Fifth Domo Kun episode. In this episode Domo Kun & Mr.Usaji watch a scary movie. The movie is similar to what we know as Godzilla, only the giant reptilian monster is called Garera. Mr.Usaji makes a rude and shallow remark regarding the giant Garera destroying buildings in a city, making a rude point [...]
1999 Space Travel
Fourth Domo Kun episode. In this episode Domo Kun & Mr.Usaji watch a TV show on space travel and the planet Jupiter. Domo Kun becomes interested in travelling into outer space and packs a travel bag. Domo Kun then tries to reach outer space by jumping and flapping his hands like a bird, [...]