Domo (NHK)
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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 is developing 26 2-minute shorts of Domo for broadcast in the United States.[1][2] In December 2007 ICv2 announced that Nickelodeon would begin airing the shorts in early 2008.[3]
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[edit] Name
The name "Domo" was acquired during the second episode of his show in which a TV announcer said, "doumo, konnichiwa" (どうも、こんにちは?), which is a formal greeting meaning something along the lines of, "Well, hello there!", but which can also be interpreted as "Hello, Domo!", and thus is a convenient 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.
[edit] Background
Domo, the main character, is described as "a strange creature that hatched from an egg." [4] Domo's favorite food is Japanese-style meat and potato stew, and he has a strong dislike for apples, due to an unexplained mystery in his DNA. Domo-kun is known to pass gas repeatedly when nervous or upset. [4]
Domo lives in an underground cave with Mr. Usaji [5] [4], known in Japanese-language versions as Usajii (うさじい?), a portmanteau of the words usagi (うさぎ?), (rabbit), and jii-chan (じいちゃん?) (grandpa). Mr. Usaji is a wise old rabbit who loves to watch television and drink astringent green tea. Mr. Usaji is not into any "new" materials, and does not own a telephone. 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."
Also in the cave live two bats, a mother named Maya [5] (Shinobu (しのぶ?) in the Japanese version) and her child Mario (Morio (もりお?) in the Japanese version). Maya has a drinking problem; 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.[5][4]
The other main character in the shorts is a weasel girl named Tashanna [5] [4] (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) [6]. Tashanna's favorite food is apricot and mint tarts, and her least favorite food is sea urchin. [4] 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.[5][4]
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. [5]
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.[4][6]
Hungry Bear (はらぺこぐま Harapekoguma?), a large and powerful bear, feels too hungry to take advantage of his strength.[4]
The Ghost (Hyūtarou (ヒュ~たろう?)) randomly appears and disappears.[4][6]
[edit] Popularization on Fark
The popularization of Domo as an internet meme and cliché outside of Japan[2] is often attributed to a Fark thread from July 28th, 2001.[7] The thread became popular on the then-young site, prompted in part by its serendipitous ID number of 31337. From there, Fark users began using the image and likeness of the character in various image contests and as additional, humorous banter in threads.
[edit] References
- ^ "Errata: Anime on Nickelodeon," Anime News Network
- ^ a b "Nickelodeon Gets Anime-Mated." ICv2.
- ^ "'Domo' to Air on Nick." ICv2.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j English page, Domomode
- ^ a b c d e f "Who?," Domo Nation
- ^ a b c Japanese page, Domomode
- ^ FARK.com: (31337) Domo-kun the Japanese farting monster!., Fark
