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."
[1]
Characters :
Domo, the main character, is described as "a strange creature that hatched from an egg,"
[2] 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 by 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.
[2] A
Tokyopop press release of the Domo comic book states that "he communicates
sotto voce with a verve that only his friends can understand."
[3] Clint Bickham, the writer of the Domo comic book, said that to him Domo's expression is "a sort of cheery wonderment. Like when a kid wakes to a room full of presents on
Christmas day." While Domo's face has variants, to Bickham most of his expressions have "an underlying sense of fascination."
[4]
Domo lives in an underground cave with
Mr. Usaji,
[2][5] 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.
[2] Mr. Usaji is not into any "new" materials, and does not own a
telephone.
[2][5] 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."
[2]
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 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.
[2][5]
The other main character in the shorts is a weasel girl named
Tashanna [2][5] (
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] She has not had a boyfriend in ten years and she is seeking a platonic boyfriend.
[2][5] 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.
[2] 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.
[2][5]
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.
[2][6]
Hungry Bear (はらぺこぐま, Harapekoguma?), a large and powerful bear, feels too hungry to take advantage of his strength.
[2]
The Ghost (
Hyūtarou (ヒュ～たろう?)) randomly appears and disappears.
[2][6]
Domo on the internet and video games
Domo became well known outside of Japan through a
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."
[9]
Domo has 5 video games on the DSIware on the DSI Shop application for the
Nintendo DSi. The 5 games are Crash-Course Domo, Hard-Hat Domo, Rock-n-Roll Domo, Pro-Putt Domo and White-Water Domo.
[9]
