REVIEW: Dark Horse's 5 ½ Inch Flocked DOMO Vinyl Figure

Dark Horse shrinks the strange brown monster...

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The popularity of Domo-kun, the brown monster mascot of the NHK television network in Japan, has exploded in the United States over the past year. While once fans could only find a couple of Domo items in specialty shops and conventions, now he’s everywhere (who would’ve believed the 2008 Halloween theme at Target stores would be a Japanese TV mascot?!?).

Those who attended Comic-Con in July saw tons of Domo merchandise, the highlight being Dark Horse’s amazing line of 8 inch Flocked Vinyl Figures. While the initial release was Domo in Classic Brown, the line expanded into a rainbow of different hues as event and retailer exclusives. Dark Horse hasn’t stopped there. Beginning an entire new line of 5 ½ inch Flocked Vinyl Figures is Domo in Classic Brown Limited Edition!

Packaging for the new, smaller Domos is similar to that which held the old ones. The brown monster comes in a window box that has gorgeous photo art on all sides of the creature playing in his idyllic world. Dominated by a bright blue sky background, the box depicts Domo yawning/rubbing his eyes, taking a stroll, and falling from the clouds! On the front of the box under the clear window is a small illustration of a sitting Domo, along with the “Classic Brown Limited Edition” sticker and “Limited Collector’s Edition” tagline. The bottom of the box is as brown as Domo’s backside.

Once you’ve got him out of the package, this Domo strongly resembles his larger brethren. In fact, it’s the exact same figure in miniature. The brown mascot is “furry” with its flocked skin over solid vinyl construction. He has two beady black eyes, and a wide open red mouth lined at the top and bottom with pointy white teeth. Domo’s body is one solid block, from which two stumpy legs protrude. His arms, long and thin with disc-like “hands,” are plugged into the cute monster’s side.

Domo’s smaller size means he’s lighter, but he’s still quite sturdy. The vinyl figure is much harder than he looks, due to the soft-looking flocking covering it. The tiny textured fibers give Domo a pleasingly fuzzy feel, and looks great at the same time. He’s flocked all over, except for the facial features. The eyes and mouth are hard, smooth plastic, with the teeth raised above the flat background of the inside of the mouth. Colors are overall strong, with the flocked brown texture giving a slightly irregular appearance to the “fur.” The Domo’s plastic facial features are solid colored and vibrant.

Articulation-wise, there’s not a lot going on here, but no less than on his bigger brothers. Domo has only two joints, his shoulders. The arms swing in 360 degrees on stiff joints, and combined with his very expressive face Domo can appear in different “poses.” He captures the surprised, happy, and scared looks particularly well! Domo’s arms will stay in any position you put them indefinitely, with no drooping.

Like the larger 8 inch line, this new smaller scale will include many different colors of the same Domo figure. For fans of the monster, this is a great way to get good-looking and high quality figures in a collectible size. Don’t miss out on the Classic Brown Limited Edition before Dark Horse moves on to the rainbow of Domo colors!

For even more pictures of the new 5 1/2" Domo, follow the link below!

Review and Photos by Scott Rubin

Review Sample Courtesy of Dark Horse

5 ½ Inch Flocked DOMO Vinyl Figure Photo Gallery