I have always liked Domo. My sister and my older cousins always have merch of him. I always wonder where he’s from. So, I wanted to make a series to tell who is the artist behind these famous characters that are a part of popular culture.
Tsuneo Gōda is a Japanese director, animator, and writer best known for creating Domo-kun, the brown, fuzzy, and wide-mouthed mascot of NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster. Domo became an iconic figure in Japan and internationally, largely due to its quirky and humorous short animations.
Gōda’s work with Domo began in the late 1990s, and the character has since appeared in numerous television bumpers, commercials, and even a variety of merchandise. Gōda’s background is in stop-motion animation, and he is skilled in bringing charming, emotive characters to life in short, whimsical narratives. His work, especially with Domo, is characterized by a minimalist style emphasizing humor and surreal elements.
Apart from Domo, Tsuneo Gōda has worked on various other projects in animation, including commercials and short films, often employing a similar aesthetic of simplicity and emotion-driven storytelling.