MUMBAI: US kids channel Nickelodeon has announced its first-ever Japanese development projects for original content.

The new projects include a development and acquisitions deal with the Domo Production Committee, affiliates of Japan's largest broadcaster NHK, as well as a development deal with Polygon Pictures, a Japanese 3-D animation house.

Nickelodeon and NHK’s affiliate, Domo Production Committee, will co-develop and produce, a 26 episode, two-minute short series. This will be based on NHK’s popular Domo-kun character.

The deal also includes an advance acquisition of the series by Nicktoons in the US, marking the first time a Japanese produced series will air on a Nickelodeon Network in the US. The series premiere on Nicktoons Network US will be announced at a later date. Meanwhile Nickelodeon and Polygon Pictures have agreed to co-develop a new animated series based on the Japanese graphic novel, Akihabara@Deep.

Nick Intl senior VP Steve Grieder says, “We a’re excited to be announcing these critical developments and will continue to work with local producers, both as creative and syndication partners, to establish Nickelodeon as a global platform for Japanese animation.

“We have a long-term commitment to invest in new creative content from Japan like Domo-kun and Akihabara, two stunningly original projects, and we look forward to helping expand the influence Japan has in the kids’ entertainment arena even further around the world.”

NHK senior corporate officer Tetsuo Kamemura says, “Domo-kun has been NHK’s very popular mascot since 1998 when he was born and now Domo-kun will be a new television series. The Domo-kun Production Committee is extremely proud and happy to be the first Japanese animation to air on Nicktoons Network in the US and we look forward to bringing Domo-kun, together with Nickelodeon, to the rest of the world”.

Nicktoons GM Keith Dawkins says, "Domo Kun is a cultural phenomenon in Japan. The animation is exquisite. We're excited to partner with NHK to bring this property to a whole new audience in the states".

Domo-kun features Domo, a strange creature born from an egg who lives in an underground cave with Usajii, a wise old rabbit, who loves to watch TV and drink tea. Domo is short, fuzzy and brown with black eyes and a large mouth with very pointy teeth. Domo also loves to watch television and listen to grunge music and Rock and Roll. He is gentle and strong and when he is nervous or in a bad mood, he breaks wind. Domo's favourite food is seasoned beef with potatoes and he has a strong dislike for apples (an unexplained mystery in his DNA). Domo-kun has been an icon for Japanese kids, tweens and families for nearly a decade since his first appearance as NHK’s BS2 mascot.

Akihabara@Deep from Polygon Pictures is an edgy, colorful and fast-paced cyber-detective comedy/action/drama based in Akihabara, the Electric Town of Tokyo. Polygon’s Polygon Family is currently featured on Flux, MTV Networks’ mobile download service.