Japan's ‘Too Handsome’ Gorilla Is a Social Media Sensation

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.

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.

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…

…other Twitter users from outside of Japan have written this story off as another “Weird Japan” piece.

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:

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.

Hmm…  An Ikeman?  I wonder if it's tasty…?

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