TOKYOPOP PRESENTS: YEAR OF THE DOMO
International Media Celeb and Occasional Flatulent Aficionado Domo Stars in His Worldwide English-Language Manga Debut
He’s been described as “a strange creature that hatched from an egg.” His favorite food is a meat-and-potato stew, but he loathes apples. He communicates sotto voce with a verve that only his friends can understand. When he’s nervous or stressed out, watch out—he is infamous for passing some serious gas. He is featured prominently at major retailers all over the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of people have created fan sites, and millions more have viewed his antics on video sites like Veoh and Youtube. Even the New York Times Magazine featured him in a piece…
And in 2009, during the heart of apple-picking season, he is going to star in his very own TOKYOPOP manga!
TOKYOPOP, the leader of the global manga revolution, and Domo, the iconic global superstar who was first introduced to the world in 1998 on Japanese public television, have teamed up to present the beloved character’s English-language full color manga debut this September worldwide.
In these truly hilariously unpredictable and endearing tales, Domo’s wreaks havoc with his friend’s video game, trains a fighting beetle, enters a box car race by being the car, and decides to literally become any character he sees on TV including Tarzan, a samurai, and finally, a top chef.
Through TOKYOPOP’s partnership with Big Tent, the global brand agency dedicated to licensing the best quality family entertainment, an international collaboration is bringing Domo into a new medium that he has never seen before. According to Domo’s TOKYOPOP Editor Alexis Kirsch, “We've worked hard to re-create the beloved character and his world for the manga. In brilliant full-color, the Domo manga will resemble the TV shorts while also bringing a truly unique feel that only the language of the graphic novel can present.”
“TOKYOPOP is a creative powerhouse for manga entertainment and we are thrilled to find such an ideal partner for Domo’s global manga debut,” said Rich Collins, Chief Executive Officer, Big Tent Entertainment. “Longtime Domo fans from across the globe will be excited to see their favorite lovable creature come to life through the hilarious and innovative world of manga and we look forward to watching Domo make his way into the hearts of a whole new legion of fans.”
TOKYOPOP Associate Publisher Marco Pavia added that the creative juices began to flow last fall in Portland, when Kirsch met with Tsuneo Goda, who created Domo more than ten years ago. “Goda-san told us he looked forward to seeing the American take on his beloved character. Since this is Domo’s first foray into a major manga volume, we wanted the original creator’s blessing.”
Domo’s Manga will be supported by an aggressive viral marketing campaign, starting with a fan art contest that will launch at New York Comic-Con 2009. Preview art and pages can be seen at www.TOKYOPOP.com/Domomanga/shomeart. The manga will be on sale in September 2009, wherever books are sold.
About TOKYOPOP
TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company’s global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with recent offices opening in the UK and Germany and upcoming partnerships in Australia and China, in addition to its original Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto the new social networking site www.TOKYOPOP.com, reading its books, which are licensed in 41 countries in more than 20 languages, and watching its DVDs and television programs, TOKYOPOP’s award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.
About Big Tent Entertainment LLC
Big Tent Entertainment, LLC (www.bigtent.tv) is an entertainment company specializing in the integrated development and management of media brands. Formed in 2002, the company manages a portfolio across both traditional and new media while focusing on brand strategy, community building, viral marketing, licensing and retail merchandising. Big Tent currently serves as the worldwide (ex Asia) marketing and licensing company for viral sensation Domo and the North American agency of record for a number of children’s properties including: Discovery Kids, the leader in real world, educational content for children; The Wiggles, the world’s most popular pre-school entertainers; and Miffy & Friends, one of the largest brands for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with an all-new tween/teen program. Additionally, Big Tent serves as the U.S. licensing agent for the masters of freestyle motocross, the Crusty Demons, and the world’s most popular series about girls and horses, The Saddle Club. The Company is also the worldwide management company for renowned art licensing agency Alaska Momma.
