Japan’s ‘Too Handsome’ Gorilla Is a Social Media Sensation · Global Voices
N'Donna Russell

名古屋のイケメンゴリラ「シャバーニ」が海外で話題に！ http://t.co/ClRXhMUCU2 #まとめ pic.twitter.com/IUAwQvbEqf— あかしや いっとく (@BrenanStaci) June 28, 2015
Shabani, Nagoy's “Ikemen Gorilla”, has become quite the international topic of conversation!
With model good looks, striking model poses, and expressive eyes, Shabani is the cause of the collective flutter of young female hearts in Japan.
But Shabani is neither an up-and-coming actor or a model walking the catwalk.
A resident of the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya since 2007, Shabani is an Australian-raised gorilla who has become a sensation due to his striking eyes and model good looks.
Shabani's nickname? He's known in Japan as “ikemen” gorilla. The word “ikemen” means “hot guy” in Japanese.
シャバーニ ネギを食べる姿も渋くてカッコイイ #シャバーニ #東山動植物園 #ファインダー越しの私の世界 pic.twitter.com/TaXIYvhVLw
— 葉月 (@hazukikameraman) June 26, 2015
Looking handsome and cool while eating a spring onion
In addition to drawing a steady stream of young female visitors who are enraptured by Shabani’s good looks and flock to gain his attentions, Shabani has gone viral on social media.
Users have shared various photos, commenting on his good looks.
シルバーバックが見事。 #シャバーニ @ 東山動植物園 https://t.co/OzuviI9AwN
— hanemimi (@hanemimi) June 25, 2015
His silver back is beautiful!
Curiosity over Shabani has now extended beyond Japan’s borders. However, the reaction to the gorilla from the West is a mixed bag.
While some Twitter users believe that Shabani could rule the catwalks of the world if he wanted to…
this gorilla is hotter than most of my ex-boyfriends http://t.co/lFk2sQk9uF
— Jessica Roy (@JessicaKRoy) June 26, 2015
…other Twitter users from outside of Japan have written this story off as another “Weird Japan” piece.
Oh for f*ck's sake, REALLY, Japan? This is why the rest of the world is so weirded out by you. Stop it! #シャバーニ http://t.co/fxNNVdOySW
— Misono Allen (@misonoallen) June 25, 2015
Furthermore, there are those with whom the concept of “Weird Japan” does not sit well at all.
Hiroko Tabuchi, a journalist for The New York Times who used to cover news from Japan, has this to say:
#BSAlert: Women swoon over handsome gorilla in Japan “where surveys show many young ppl have no interest in dating” http://t.co/u51OjgIfB4
— Hiroko Tabuchi (@HirokoTabuchi) June 28, 2015
Wd you ever write that/believe that abt women in your own country? The weird fiction that gets made up abt love/sex in Japan is ridiculous.
— Hiroko Tabuchi (@HirokoTabuchi) June 28, 2015
Unfortunately for his admirers, Shabani is already spoken for.
He is the mate of Higashiyama Zoo’s two resident female gorillas Ai and Nene, and is proud father of two children, a boy and a girl.
Furthermore, the gorilla seems to be blissfully unaware, or at the very least, quite nonchalant about his popularity and growing fanbase.
うーむ。 イケメンってなんだ？ おいしいのか・・・？ #ゴリラ　#シャバーニ pic.twitter.com/RY90mXQZ7R
— 名古屋市東山動植物園 (@higashiyamapark) May 18, 2015
Hmm…  An Ikeman?  I wonder if it's tasty…?