“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 10^th 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.