A penguin who fell in love with an anime character has passed away with his beloved at his side.
Trust us, you are going to want to step outside for a minute or two after reading this one.
Grape was a 21-year-old penguin who lived at Tobu Zoo in Miyashiro, Japan.
The elderly Humboldt penguin became an internet star earlier this year, after he grew attached to cardboard cut-out which was placed in his enclosure for an advert.
The cut-out was of an anthropomorphic female penguin called Hululu from the series Kemono Friends.
本日放送のアニメ『けものフレンズ』にフルルが登場！
さて最近のグレープ君はといえば…、見ています（╹◡╹）#東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ #フルル#フンボルトペンギン グレープ pic.twitter.com/Ds371l19SU— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) August 23, 2017
後もう少しで換羽終わるね。グレープ君ガンバレ！ フルルより#東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ #フルル #グレープ君 pic.twitter.com/c6A95PVnOL — 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) August 29, 2017
そして、小野さん、築田さん、けものフレンズプロジェクトの皆さんもありがとうございました。
コラボは終わりましたが、明日も十人十色な動物たちと愉快な飼育係、フルルとグレープ君はいつもの場所でみんなを待ってますよ。#東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ pic.twitter.com/5As3xBk0px— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) September 3, 2017
Grape is believed to have become attracted to Hululu after being rejected by a female penguin Midori, who he had been with for a decade. He had become so attached to the character, zoo staff decided to leave her in the enclosure despite the promotion ending many months ago. Grape was even spotted with his wings outstretched and his beak pointed upwards, which is a stance used in a courtship ritual indicating that a penguin wants to take a relationship to the next level. His affections for Hululu were so strong that he became noticeably distressed after she was briefly removed during a typhoon. Thankfully for him, she was soon returned. Even after falling ill, staff allowed Grape to remain with Hululu until his passing, which was confirmed via their Twitter account on Friday.
フンボルトペンギンのグレープ君が昨日亡くなりました。 これまで応援してくれた皆様本当にありがとうございました。また、グレープ君を最後まで見守ってくれたフルルもありがとう。そして、グレープ君長い間ありがとう。天国でゆっくり休んでね。#東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ #グレープ君 pic.twitter.com/PfjoJVyiuA — 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) October 13, 2017
The tribute translates as follows:
The Humboldt penguin Grape-kun passed away yesterday. Sincere thanks to everyone for supporting him until now.
Thank you also to Hululu, who watched over him until the very end.
And thank you, Grape-kun, for all this time.
Rest peacefully in heaven.
The Kemono Friends Twitter account also marked the passing of Grape.
Grape’s online celebrity status has grown to viral proportions in the past few months.
As you can imagine, news of his death has been greeted with an outpouring of emotion, memes and artwork from fans.
— バンプレイオス (@fafagod) October 13, 2017
Rest in peace Grape-kun the greatest penguin. You will be missed. A hero to us all pic.twitter.com/K4yoOh3fmJ — Prince David 👻💀🎃 (@prince_david) October 13, 2017
This is so sad, I really did not expect it, we’ll miss you friends, rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/zR0lmNiBaD
— Ramiro R. Alexander (@xDZzRamirozZxD) October 13, 2017
pic.twitter.com/aIasonZqVB — Apex. (@wolftekku) October 13, 2017
Next time I’m at Tobu Zoo, it won’t be the same without you, Grape-kun.
You were so sugoi and tanoshii.
Many will miss you. I do.#グレープ君 pic.twitter.com/T2HG3o8Fen
— Serval~RIP Grape-kun (@sugoiServal) October 13, 2017
#グレープ君 Hope you’re in heaven with Hululu, little guy. Rest in peace and blessings the people at Tobu Zoo for taking care of you, Grape-kun. pic.twitter.com/IF2y6EKtvK
— Crud_Bonemeal (@RowsdowerZapp) October 13, 2017
Source: indy100.com
