View source for Domo TV

{{About|the Nicktoons Network series|the Japanese commercials|Domo (NHK)|other uses|Domo (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image              = Nickelodeon Domo TV show intertitle.jpg
| caption            = Series intertitle
| genre              = [[List of children's animated television series|Children's animation]]<br/>[[Stop motion]]
| creator            = [[Tsuneo Gōda]]
| director           = Tsuneo Gōda
| producer           = {{Plainlist|
* Jules Borkent
* Debbie MacDonald
* Noriko Matsumoto
* Adina Pitt
}}
| executive_producer = Nina Hahn
| cinematography     = Kan Sugiki
| runtime            = 2 minutes
| company            = [[Nickelodeon Productions]]<br>[[NHK]]<br>Dwarf
| country            = United States<br>Japan
| language           = English<br />Japanese{{efn|name=Language|The show itself contains no spoken dialogue, but there are localised title cards for each episode and the theme song is recorded in two language versions: Japanese for Japan, and English for most other markets.}}
| num_seasons        = 1
| num_episodes       = 26<ref>{{cite news|title='Domo' Shorts to Air in U.S. on Nicktoons|url=http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/domo-shorts-air-us-nicktoons|work=License! Global|date=October 27, 2008}}</ref>
| network            = {{plainlist|
* [[Nicktoons (American TV channel)|Nicktoons]] <small>(U.S.)</small>
* [[NHK]] <small>(Japan)</small>
* [[Nickelodeon]] <small>(international)</small>
}}
| first_aired        = {{start date|2008|10}}
| last_aired         = {{end date|2009|2}}
}}
'''''Domo TV''''' is a [[stop motion|stop-motion animated]] [[children's television series|children's short television series]] produced by [[NHK]] and [[Nickelodeon]]'s [[Nicktoons (American TV channel)|Nicktoons]] network. The series consists of 26 two-minute episodes that were aired on Nicktoons in the United States and on Nickelodeon networks internationally. It was the Nickelodeon brand's first [[anime]] project and the second series after ''[[Kappa Mikey]]'' to be branded as a Nicktoons Network original program.

==Source material==
The series is based on [[Domo (NHK)|Domo]], a Japanese mascot character who had previously appeared in many short commercials for the [[NHK]] channel.

==Premise==
The series follows Domo and his friends—Mr. Usaji the rabbit, Tashanna the weasel, and two bats named Maya and Mario—on simple adventures devoid of dialogue. Each episode is about two minutes long and is entirely animated in stop motion. Nickelodeon made creative changes to the existing world of Domo for ''Domo TV'', such as new locations and an updated [[rock music|rock]]-inspired theme song.

==Production==
Advertised as a "venture into anime production"<ref name="ann" /> for Nickelodeon, ''Domo TV'' was first announced at the 2006 [[Tokyo International Anime Fair]] and began airing in 2008. A new short was aired every week in the United States for six months. After this time period, production of new episodes stopped. The final shorts aired in early 2009, followed by a series of advertisements for [[7-Eleven]] featuring Domo that were also broadcast on Nickelodeon. The entire series was released on DVD later that year.

==Characters==
*'''[[Domo (NHK)|Domo]]''' is a brown monster with an ambiguous expression who enjoys watching television and listening to rock music. He hatched from an egg and lives in a cave.
*'''Mr. Usaji''' is a wise rabbit with gray fur who lives with Domo and wears eyeglasses. He normally tries to provide Domo with advice.
*'''Tashanna''' is a yellow weasel who is an aspiring fashion model. She is obsessed with modern technology.
*'''Maya''' and '''Mario''' are two bats (a mother and a son, respectively) who live on the ceiling of Domo's cave.

==Production==
The series is based upon NHK's [[Domo (NHK)|official mascot Domo]], who serves as the main character. Production on ''Domo TV'' commenced in spring 2006 as part of Nickelodeon's "first venture into anime production."<ref name="ann">{{cite news|title=Nickelodeon to Co-Produce Anime|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-05-04/nickelodeon-to-co-produce-anime|work=[[Anime News Network]]|publisher=Protoculture Inc.|date=May 4, 2006}}</ref> The trade magazine ''[[ICv2]]'' noted in 2006 that the success of anime-inspired series on Nickelodeon—particularly ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''—likely influenced the network's decision to develop a true anime.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nickelodeon Gets Anime-Mated|url=http://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/8608/nickelodeon-gets-anime-mated|work=[[ICv2]]|publisher=[[Capital City Distribution]]|date=May 3, 2006}}</ref> At the time, Nickelodeon and Viacom's then-[[Senior Vice President]] Steve Grieder was planning to establish [[Viacom International]] as a global platform for international animation, including Japanese works.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gurman|first=Sarah|title=Nick Takes Japanese Plunge with Domo and Polygon Pictures|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/nick-takes-japanese-plunge-with-domo-and-polygon-pictures/|work=[[Animation Magazine]]|date=March 23, 2006}}</ref> The program was initially announced by Grieder at the 2006 [[Tokyo International Anime Fair]] as a way to "create Domo for U.S. audiences."<ref>{{cite news|last=Stewart|first=Lianne|title=Nick lands terrestrial airtime and co-development deals in Japan|url=http://kidscreen.com/2006/05/01/nickjapan-20060501/|work=[[KidScreen]]|publisher=Brunico Communications|date=May 1, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Guider|first=Elizabeth|title=Nickelodeon touts ties to Japan|url=http://kidscreen.com/2006/05/01/nickjapan-20060501/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|date=March 23, 2006}}</ref> Television director [[Tsuneo Gōda]] created the show.<ref>{{cite web|title=Komaneko: The Curious Cat|url=http://www.thecinematheque.ca/kibatsu-cinema-eccentricity-popular-culture-and-contemporary-japanese-film/komaneko-curious-cat|publisher=[[Pacific Cinémathèque]]|date=July 5, 2009}}</ref>

The characters in ''Domo TV'' are animated in [[stop motion]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Rusak|first=Gary|title=Nicktoons puts Domo on US airwaves|url=http://kidscreen.com/2008/10/24/domo-20081024/|publisher=[[Playback (magazine)|Kidscreen]]|work=Brunico Communications|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref> with some computer-generated imagery. The Tokyo-based animation studio Dwarf Incorporated built and animated the props used for each character.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dwarf: English Works - Domo|url=http://www.dw-f.jp/english/works/domo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130205315/http://www.dw-f.jp/english/works/domo.html|archive-date=January 30, 2010|publisher=Dwarf Inc.}}</ref>

==Merchandise==
[[Play Along Toys]] distributed a line of plush toys, action figures, and playsets to coincide with the U.S. debut of ''Domo TV''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grala|first=Alison|title=The Big Picture: Major Domo|url=http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=432746&ref=25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511191513/http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=432746&ref=25|work=License! Global|archive-date=May 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Howard|first=Theresa|title=Domo: Squarer than SpongeBob?|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2007-05-14-ad-mattress_n.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205052256/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2007-05-14-ad-mattress_n.htm|work=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|archive-date=February 5, 2017}}</ref> Domo was also used in [[Target Corporation|Target]] Halloween promotions during the show's run.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nemire|first=Jessica|title='Domo' Creators in S.F. To Announce Domo's Next Gig as Global NHK Mascot|url=http://archives.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2014/05/19/domo-creators-in-sf-to-announce-domos-next-gig-as-global-nhk-mascot|work=[[SF Weekly]]|publisher=San Francisco Media Co.|date=May 19, 2014}}</ref> On July 1, 2009, it was confirmed by [[TYO Animations]] that all 26 episodes would be released on DVD. They were made available as part of a three-disc [[box set]] that also included every Domo television spot that had been produced to that date.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Announcing the Debut of Domo-kun's First DVD!|url=http://group.tyo.jp/files/en/news/91/pdf/090701_domoDVD.pdf|work=[[TYO Animations]]|publisher=TYO Inc.|date=July 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722130129/http://group.tyo.jp/files/en/news/91/pdf/090701_domoDVD.pdf|archive-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref>

==Release==
In August 2007, it was announced that ''Domo TV'' would premiere on Nickelodeon in the United States in autumn of that year.<ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine|last=Ohtake|first=Miyoko|title=Hello, Domo!|url=https://www.wired.com/2007/08/hello-domo/|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|date=August 6, 2007}}</ref> The American release was pushed back multiple times, with [[Viacom Media Networks]] postponing the premiere to 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=NHK's Domo-kun to Invade Nickelodeon in Early 2008|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-28/nhk's-domo-kun-invades-nickelodeon-in-early-2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|publisher=Protoculture Inc.|date=December 28, 2007}}</ref> The first channels to launch ''Domo TV'' were Nickelodeon's international networks in Europe, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moody|first=Annemarie|title=Nicktoons TV Debuts U.S. Marketing Sensation Domo|url=http://www.awn.com/news/nicktoons-tv-debuts-us-marketing-sensation-domo|work=[[Animation World Network]]|date=October 23, 2008}}</ref> Beginning in October 2008, the program was aired on Nicktoons in the United States. A new short was aired every week for six months.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Ball|title=Domo Bows on Nicktoons|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/domo-bows-on-nicktoons/|work=[[Animation Magazine]]|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref> The New York-based company Big Tent Entertainment, which had previously collaborated with Nickelodeon on ''[[Miffy and Friends]]'', handled marketing ''Domo TV'' outside of Asia. After the series finished airing, Domo programs (including the television spots that the title character originated in) had been shown in over 170 regions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Domo at H&M|url=http://www.copyright-licensing.com/domo-at-h-m/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219163054/http://www.copyright-licensing.com/domo-at-h-m/|archive-date=December 19, 2016|work=[[Copyright Licensing Agency]]|publisher=[[Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society]]|date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> The series itself had been translated into 17 different languages for various Nick outlets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nick Takes Domo International|url=http://www.bigtent.tv/press/pr_10_06_dm_AM.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410004424/http://bigtent.tv/press/pr_10_06_dm_AM.html|archive-date=April 10, 2016|work=Big Tent Entertainment|date=October 11, 2006}}</ref>

Nickelodeon also broadcast a three-part commercial advertising ''Domo TV'' products at [[7-Eleven]] in October 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Domo takes over 7-Eleven|url=http://www.toonbarn.com/nickelodeon/domo-takes-over-7-eleven/|work=ToonBarn|date=October 10, 2009|access-date=April 10, 2017|archive-date=December 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227183807/http://www.toonbarn.com/nickelodeon/domo-takes-over-7-eleven/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===International broadcast===
{|class=wikitable
|-
!width=190|Country/Region !!width=200| Channel
|-
| {{USA}}
|[[Nicktoons (United States)|Nicktoons Network]]
|-
| {{CAN}} 
|[[Nickelodeon (Canada)|Nickelodeon]]
|-
|{{GBR}}
|[[Nicktoons (UK and Ireland)|Nicktoons Network]]
|-
| {{JPN}} || [[NHK]]
|-
| {{ARG}}<br/>{{BRA}}<br/>{{CHI}}<br/>{{COL}}<br/>{{MEX}}<br/>{{PER}} || [[Nickelodeon (Latin American TV channel)|Nickelodeon]]
|-
| {{AUS}} || [[Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand)|Nickelodeon]]
|-
| |{{EGY}}<br/>{{IRQ}}<br/>{{KUW}}<br/>{{KSA}}<br/>{{SYR}}<br/>{{UAE}} || [[Nickelodeon (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)|Nickelodeon]]
|-
| {{NZ}} || [[Nickelodeon (New Zealand TV channel)|Nickelodeon]]
|-
| {{PHL}} || [[ABS-CBN]]
|-
|}

==Reception==
Rob Walker of ''[[The New York Times]]'' deemed the show "cute" and "kid-friendly," but also felt that it was created solely for Domo's "crossover into licensed merchandise."<ref>{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Rob|title=Hello, Kitschy: Domo|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/magazine/22wwln-consumed-t.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 22, 2007}}</ref> ''[[Adweek]]'' reported in 2009 that the Domo character "is best known [in the U.S.] for his video shorts on Nickelodeon."<ref>{{cite news|last=Ebenkamp|first=Becky|title=Japanese Critter Domo Attacks 7-Eleven|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/japanese-critter-domo-attacks-7-eleven-105841/|work=[[Adweek]]|publisher=Beringer Capital|date=May 23, 2009}}</ref> The ''[[Star Tribune]]''{{'}}s Tom Horgen stated that the Nickelodeon deal contributed to Domo's mainstream success as a mascot.<ref>{{cite news|last=Horgen|first=Tom|title=Domo: From underground to advertiser|url=http://www.startribune.com/domo-from-underground-to-advertiser/31178504/|work=[[Star Tribune]]|publisher=Star Tribune Media Company|date=October 20, 2008}}</ref> The July 2015 issue of ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' listed "the internet and Nickelodeon" as the outlets that led to Domo's international recognition.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Get to Hyper Japan if you want to meet the meme megastar Domo|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/get-to-hyper-japan-if-you-want-to-meet-the-meme-megastar-domo|magazine=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]|publisher=[[Time Out Group]]|date=July 25, 2015}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081217024324/http://www.nickelodeon.nl/turbonick/programma/140/domo.html Netherlands site]
* {{IMDb title|6767174}}
{{Nicktoons}}

[[Category:2000s American animated television series]]
[[Category:2000s American children's television series]]
[[Category:2008 American animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:2009 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2008 Japanese television series debuts]]
[[Category:2009 Japanese television series endings]]
[[Category:American children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:Japanese children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:American stop-motion animated television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television series based on works]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon original programming]]
[[Category:Nicktoons (TV network) original programming]]
[[Category:NHK original programming]]
[[Category:Animated television series about monsters]]
[[Category:Animated television series about rabbits and hares]]