Domo (NHK): Difference between revisions
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==Domo on the internet== |
==Domo on the internet== |
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[[File:God-kills-kitten.jpg|thumb|right|Domos chasing a kitten]] Domo became well known outside of Japan through a image [[public service announcement]] that circulated on the internet depicting Domos chasing a kitten with the words stating "[[Every time you masturbate... God kills a kitten]]." An article from ''[[ICv2]]'' stated "this phony PSA is quite out of character with Domo's image in Japan."<ref name="Animemated"/> |
[[File:God-kills-kitten.jpg|thumb|right|Domos chasing a kitten]] Domo became well known outside of Japan through a image [[public service announcement]] that circulated on the internet depicting Domos chasing a kitten with the words stating "[[Every time you masturbate... God kills a kitten]]." An article from ''[[ICv2]]'' stated "this phony PSA is quite out of character with Domo's image in Japan."<ref name="Animemated"/> |
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==See also== |
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* [[NTT_docomo#Mascot|Docomodake]] - [[NTT Docomo]]'s rival mascot |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 11:25, 31 October 2009
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Domo (どーもくん, Dōmo-kun) is the mascot of Japan's NHK television station, appearing in several 30 second stop-motion sketches shown as station identification during shows.
In 2006 Nickelodeon announced that it was to develop 26 two-minute shorts, Domo-kun for broadcast in the United States.[1][2] In December 2007 ICv2 announced that Nickelodeon would begin airing the shorts in early 2008.[3]
Target used the character as the theme of its 2008 Halloween promotions.[4] This included a number of Halloween-themed products, such as candy and toys. An original animation was created for Target, available on its website.
7-Eleven stores used the character in a promotion beginning October 1, 2009.[5][6]
Name
The name "Domo" was acquired during the second episode of his show in which a TV announcer said, "dōmo, konnichiwa" (どうも、こんにちは), which is a greeting meaning something along the lines of, "Well, hello there!", but which can also be interpreted as "Hello, Domo!", and thus is a convenient pun (dajare). The kun suffix on "Domo-kun," the name used to describe the character in the Japanese versions, is a Japanese honorific often used with young males.
Development
Tsuneo Gōda directs Domo episodes using stop motion animation. Gōda says that, by using this process, one can "create a work filled with feeling."[4]
Characters
Domo, the main character, is described as "a strange creature that hatched from an egg," [7] with a large, sawtoothed mouth that is locked wide open. Domo's favorite food is Japanese-style meat and potato stew, and he has a strong dislike for apples, because of an unexplained mystery in his DNA. Domo can only communicate via producing a low-pitched noise which sounds somewhat like his own name, but other characters appear to understand him. Domo is known to pass gas repeatedly when nervous or upset.[7] A Tokyopop press release of the Domo comic book states that "he communicates sotto voce with a verve that only his friends can understand."[8]
Domo lives in an underground cave with Mr. Usaji [7][9], known in Japanese-language versions as Usajii (うさじい), a portmanteau of the words usagi (うさぎ), (rabbit), and jii (じい) (old man, grandpa). Mr. Usaji is a wise old rabbit who has lived in a cave for decades, loves to watch television and drink astringent green tea.[7] Mr. Usaji is not into any "new" materials, and does not own a telephone.[7][9] In terms of fashion, Mr. Usaji focuses on materials instead of shapes. Mr. Usaji's favorite food is carrots, and his least favorite food is "something that is meaningless."[7]
Also in the cave live two bats, a mother named Maya [9] (Shinobu (しのぶ) in the Japanese version) and her child Mario (Morio (もりお) in the Japanese version). Maya suffers from alcoholism; her favorite foods are seasonal while her least favorite food is alcohol. Mario's favorite food is Japanese-style tomato spaghetti, while his least favorite food is shiitake mushrooms.[7][9]
The other main character in the shorts is a weasel girl named Tashanna [7][9] (Tā-chan (たーちゃん) in the Japanese version). Tashanna, 17 years old, is a weasel who aspires to be a fashion stylist or model in Tokyo and is always using technology (televisions, mobile phones, and cameras). In English Tashanna has a "weaselly accent" (いたちなまり, itachi namari) and ends her sentences with "y"s. In the Japanese version, she ends her sentences with "chi" (ち) [10]. She has not had a boyfriend in ten years and she is seeking a platonic boyfriend.[7][9] She has a passion for bidding in auctions, but she gives up by the end. Tashanna's favorite food is apricot and mint tarts, and her least favorite food is sea urchin.[7] The Japanese name originates from the word "multichannel" (多チャンネル, tachanneru) of digital broadcasting.
Bear Boy (Kogumagorō (こぐまゴロー)), also known as A Little Bear (くまのこ, Kuma no ko, literally "A bear cub"), is one of Domo's friends from the neighborhood; the timid cub enjoys playing baseball.[7][9]
Hee (Flower One (花一, Hanaichi)) and Haw (Flower Two (花二, Hanaji)) are pixie twins from a flower. Domo is the only individual who can see them.[9]
The Fox Trio consists of Esther (Esuko (エスコ)), Brother Fox (あにきち, Aniki-chi), and Fox Boy (Konjirō (コンジロー)). Esther, the youngest member, enjoys producing crocodile tears, plotting schemes, and causing havoc. Brother Fox, the eldest member, dutifully cares for his youngest siblings and feels upset when referred to as "short-legged" (短足, tansoku). Fox Boy, having a quiet demeanor, converses with Domo and Bear Boy and prefers to read.[7][10]
Hungry Bear (はらぺこぐま, Harapekoguma), a large and powerful bear, feels too hungry to take advantage of his strength.[7]
The Ghost (Hyūtarou (ヒュ~たろう)) randomly appears and disappears.[7][10]
Domo the Manga
Tokyopop publishes Domo the Manga, an original English-language manga series, in the United States and Canada.[11] The short stories were written by Clint Bickham and drawn by Rem, Lindsay Cibos, Jared Hodges, Sonia Leong, Maximo V. Lorenzo (in the special 7-11 edition only) and Erie Horita. [12]
Domo on the internet
Domo became well known outside of Japan through a image public service announcement that circulated on the internet depicting Domos chasing a kitten with the words stating "Every time you masturbate... God kills a kitten." An article from ICv2 stated "this phony PSA is quite out of character with Domo's image in Japan."[2]
See also
- Docomodake - NTT Docomo's rival mascot
References
- ^ "Errata: Anime on Nickelodeon." Anime News Network. May 5, 2006. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.
- ^ a b "Nickelodeon Gets Anime-Mated." ICv2. May 4, 2006. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.
- ^ "'Domo' to Air on Nick." ICv2. December 28, 2007. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.
- ^ a b "Halloween Costumes." Target Corporation. Accessed September 14, 2008.
- ^ "Domo-kun Themed Products." Retrieved on October 1, 2009
- ^ "Domo-Kun Comes to 7-11!" May 29th, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n English page. Domomode. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.
- ^ "TOKYOPOP PRESENTS: YEAR OF THE DOMO." Tokyopop. Retrieved on September 5, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Who?." Domo Nation. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.
- ^ a b c Japanese page. Domomode. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.
- ^ TOKYOPOP Presents: Domo the Manga." Tokyopop. Retrieved on September 5, 2009.
- ^ Hodges, Jared "[1]."