Striker brings Domo back to North America

The LA-based licensing agency struck a deal with NHK Enterprises to orchestrate a regional relaunch for this popular Japanese character brand.
January 15, 2025

Domo is gearing up to make a comeback in the North American market. LA-based licensing agency Striker Entertainment is spearheading a relaunch strategy for the brand under a new exclusive representation deal with NHK Enterprises.

Created by animator Tsuneo Gōda to serve as an official mascot for Japanese public broadcaster NHK, Domo got his start as the headliner of a series of stop-motion shorts that aired on the channel in 1998. But he quickly became popular internationally, thanks to a broad consumer products program managed by Big Tent Entertainment (including a robust plush line), an English-language manga series that was published in North America by TOKYOPOP, and a boatload of viral internet content posted by fans on platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Flickr. 

The character also starred in a series of animated shorts created for 7-Eleven and Target in the US, as well as a 26 x two-minute series called Domo TV (2008 to 2009) that was co-produced by Nickelodeon and NHK.

Striker is currently working on a licensing program that will include toys, apparel, collectibles and digital products. Banking on anticipated demand from adults who grew up seeing an abundance of Domo merch on shelves, the agency is also looking to actively connect the brand with today’s younger consumers by building up its social media presence.

“Whereas the character remains the same, the way consumers engage with and share content has dramatically shifted,” says Striker CEO Russell Binder. “[We’re] looking forward to marrying the nostalgia factor with meme culture [to bring] this special character back to existing fans, [as well as] introducing him to a new generation.” 

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