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Japanese Mascot Domo-Kun Invades US Convenience Stores

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Games Editor
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Joined: 20 Dec 2005

Japanese Mascot Domo-Kun Invades US Convenience Stores

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Domo, the odd-looking mascot for Japanese public television station NHK (and Internet meme in his own right) will be invading 7-Elevens across the US in the form of Slurpee cups.

This one goes under "odd cross-promotions" for the week: In a promotion for the US release of the first Domo DVD, the fuzzy open-mouthed mascot will be gracing Slurpee cups and coffee cups found in 7-Eleven stores all across the United States.

Domo, who was created by Japanese illustrator and director Tsuneo Goda as the mascot for Japanese public television station NHK in 1998, has become somewhat of an Internet meme thanks to his odd (though adorable) appearance, and... okay, it's mainly just his odd and adorable appearance. Outside of Japan, Domo is perhaps best-known for being the source of grisly kitten death every time somebody whips it out.

There's also a three-part episode produced specifically for the promotion (viewable on Domonation and slurpee.com) that features Domo and pals in search of delicious frozen 7-Eleven treats - and finding only brain-frozen trauma. Delicious, brain-frozen trauma.

Collectible cups feature Domo and his furry sidekicks enjoying Slurpee drinks and one showing Domo experiencing a Brainfreeze™. For Domo fans, a tiny flocked Domo character is affixed to premium Slurpee straws, selling for $1.99. From hip hop to wrestling themes, each of the four Slurpee straws features Domo sporting a different costume and accessories.

Coffee and Big Bite hot dogs, two of 7-Eleven's best-selling proprietary items, also get 'Domo-nized' as a limited offering through Nov. 15. To reach younger coffee drinkers, 7-Eleven is offering coffee in a special brown Domo cup for just 99 cents. Store signage promoting the coffee deal urges customers to "Obey the Domo." Likewise, the Big Bite hot dog also will retail for 99 cents and be served in a cardboard "clam-shell" carrier resembling Domo's face, with the mouth opening to reveal the food.

"You won't be able to go to a 7-Eleven store in October and miss Domo," Wilkins said. "We've let Domo fans know he's coming with notices on Facebook and Twitter, and the online buzz about his 7-Eleven debut has already been building."

You can read the full press release here, or check out the limited-edition Fuji Frost Slurpee flavor - complete with Domo cup and straw - at pretty much any 7-Eleven.

(The Consumerist)

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Muckraker
Posts: 348
Joined: 23 Oct 2008

It's kind of sad how much bigger Domo-Kun is in North America than in Japan.

When I was in Japan, a friend of mine wore a Domo-Kun shirt, and he got a lot of dirty looks.

Still, I'll be picking one up. XD

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2268
Joined: 10 Mar 2009

Well that explains why I saw his face on an empty 7-Eleven hot dog box on the side of a street.

And If I'm correct, you can occasionally see his show play on Nicktoons Network.

On the Record
Posts: 5064
Joined: 23 Mar 2009

So it's spread farther than I thought. Surprised me to no end when I saw Domo-kun adorning a billboard in my town...

Beat Writer
Posts: 153
Joined: 11 Sep 2009

Awww, how cute!
A shame I can't get one! >.< I would sure like one of those.

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 830
Joined: 26 May 2009

Now i get drink Domo from a cup wheee. Crazy how Domo is still awesome even after venturing far from the internet

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1453
Joined: 17 Jul 2009

Domo has been around in the US for almost five years (at least, in my area), usually in Target stores, especially during Halloween. There are a lot of Target stores around southwest Ohio, so I know this. I guess it was only a matter of time before he hit the gas station stores. There's no 7-Eleven stores around the area, so I probably will not be getting one of those Slurpee drinks.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1079
Joined: 29 Apr 2009

Ah jeewhiz! I want one, it's so CUTE!

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1852
Joined: 16 Jul 2009

Damn me and my UK based lifestyle! I want a Domo cup!

Master Archivist
Posts: 9113
Joined: 10 Mar 2009

I saw those when I went to 7-Eleven this morning. They're also all over Target.

Domo is making millions. :O

On the Record
Posts: 7040
Joined: 22 Aug 2008

Domo-Kun always struck me as something which is popular because it's popular.

>_> He's still cool in my book though.

Server Administrator
Posts: 550
Joined: 27 Sep 2004

What jerk trademarked Brainfreeze? :/

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1249
Joined: 16 Jan 2009

The populace must be purged of this unholy abomination...

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 873
Joined: 4 Mar 2009

Finnboghi:
It's kind of sad how much bigger Domo-Kun is in North America than in Japan.

When I was in Japan, a friend of mine wore a Domo-Kun shirt, and he got a lot of dirty looks.

Still, I'll be picking one up. XD

Isn't Domo-Kun a baseball team mascot? maybe they suppourted a different team.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2831
Joined: 28 May 2009

Well, now that that thing is famous it's no longer funny. Okay, /b/tards, we need a new meme!

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2866
Joined: 20 Jul 2008

I love those straws and Domo-Kun, sadly no 7-Eleven's around here.

Muckraker
Posts: 340
Joined: 3 Jan 2008

Many thanks to the Stern show for hammering this advertising down my throat for the last 2 weeks or so. I never knew that Domo was its name, but when I saw it in the shop, I knew who it was. Odd promotion by 7-11, but at least it's a little more interesting than most.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 669
Joined: 12 Feb 2009

these have been at my local 7-11s for almost 3 weeks. still dont know who he is, but is slurpee is very addicting.

Beat Writer
Posts: 183
Joined: 12 Aug 2009

Weren't a bunch of Domo games released for the DSi this week too.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3324
Joined: 20 Apr 2009

So Grues will eat you at 7-elevens now?

Why yes, I am an Uncyclopedia user, thank you.

On the Record
Posts: 6111
Joined: 25 Jan 2008

What about Canada? I want some Domo-Kun.

Press Junketeer
Posts: 423
Joined: 27 Feb 2009

Last year a girl in my chemistry class had a Domo-kun notebook. I was so jealous. D: Domo-kun is cute, but I still wonder how he suddenly got so popular over here.

Paperboy
Posts: 42
Joined: 29 Jul 2009

Cylem:
Last year a girl in my chemistry class had a Domo-kun notebook. I was so jealous. D: Domo-kun is cute, but I still wonder how he suddenly got so popular over here.

Domo is something of an infectious real-life meme, in my opinion. Just his iconic odd and cutesy appearance. *shrug* I'm not big on random pointless things like this, though, and i definitely don't like jumping on mascot bandwagons ;p

Press Junketeer
Posts: 409
Joined: 2 Aug 2008

I'm not sure what to think of this. On one hand, it's a very basic step towards sharing culture and becoming the Mother Nation. On the other, there's a fuzzy chocolate bar on my Slurpee.

Now, if only we could get Marimokkori over here.

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 803
Joined: 29 Apr 2008

I don't really browse the internet much but I hear he's popular around there (yeah I know the internet is not a place). But he looks funny, and I have seen him somewhere before but I can't place where.

On the Record
Posts: 5951
Joined: 7 Mar 2008

behold the power of Fark for bringing Domokun to North America, they are probly one of the biggest reasons he got popular over here, he was used in so many different photoshop memes and just in general on the site for a long time

in fact i do believe that kitty photoshop was a product of Fark

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1183
Joined: 29 Jan 2009

I doubt 3/4 of the people who wear this stuff has never seen where it's from, but are rather just trying desperately to join in on a fad...
I sense a dastardly conspiracy upon Japan's revelation that their stuff is way more popular overseas.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 645
Joined: 8 Jan 2009

I read this article and all I can think of is that somewhere, there is a warehouse full of Pedobear meme merchandise waiting to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting populace...

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 796
Joined: 15 Jan 2009

vivaldiscool:
The populace must be purged of this unholy abomination...

Kill the nonbeliever!

edit: OT, i think he has suddenly become more popular because more people are useing the internet in america now then they were 10 years ago

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3602
Joined: 25 Mar 2009

PLEASE tell me these cups are being sold in Canada...

Press Junketeer
Posts: 363
Joined: 3 May 2009

holy-

YES! they will be mine

Anonymous Source
Posts: 1
Joined: 5 Nov 2009

i'm personally a huge fan of domo kun, and i'm glad that he came to 7eleven, i actually bought a cup and a domo straw, for only 2$ each it's a pretty good deal!

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3508
Joined: 20 Aug 2008

As an old Farker who met my wife on that site, it warms my heart every time I see Domo in the mainstream.

Press Junketeer
Posts: 379
Joined: 6 Nov 2008

Ah, I always liked Domo-kun's little face. Kinda got this "RAOOOWWRR, I WILL EAT YOUR HEAD!" thing going on.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 693
Joined: 13 Jan 2009

I prefer Doraemon when I went to Asia they were Nutso for that little Robotic Blue thing

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