Japan’s Anime-Loving Humboldt Penguin Passes Away

Grape-kun, the world-famous Humboldt penguin from Tobu Zoo in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, reportedly passed away. He was widely known around the globe for having a 2D cardboard cutout “waifu” inside his enclosure.

The sad news was relayed online by Tobu Zoo’s official Twitter account on October 12.

“Humboldt penguin ‘s grape died yesterday. Thank you very much for everyone who supported us so far. Also, thanks to Flür who watched Grape through to the end,” the zoo wrote in Japanese but translated through Google Translate.

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 http://pic.twitter.com/PfjoJVyiuA

— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) October 13, 2017

Many netizens from around the globe were pretty saddened by the news. A lot of them poured their heartwarming condolences on Twitter after it broke out.

GRAPE KUN DIED IM LEGITIMATELY CRYING ITS SO SAD

— juani♡ (@smolestwaifu) October 13, 2017

WHY ARE WE STILL HERE; JUST TO SUFFER? #grapekun http://pic.twitter.com/Ds3fbLsRW2

— Sympathetic Poetry (@jerrysaen) October 13, 2017

#RIP #Grapekun http://pic.twitter.com/dGHREfkxB3

— chero666 (@chero666) October 13, 2017

@Lost_Pause_ a great hero has fallen. But this story has a happy ending; Grape Kun will be with his Waifu in the sky. https://t.co/z2DSP2AG8J

— Darkshotgun (@Darkshotgun77) October 13, 2017

May we all be as lucky in our final moments, RIP Grapekun

— Little Demon Nico (@25sPapa) October 13, 2017

RIP #GrapeKun. May there always be a Kemono Friend for you in penguin heaven. https://t.co/5BCpc09l6O

— Gallop-a-Gus (@ajnrules) October 13, 2017

waifus out for grape kun
(╥_╥) https://t.co/ZILVwcS1V2

— spookster ꒳ｴℕ꒯z (@WindMaster760) October 13, 2017

#grapekun http://pic.twitter.com/2cm82VyD4v

— Chelisween (@chelis714) October 13, 2017

Rest In Peace Grape kun…you taught me how to love 2D again

— Spooky Bitch (@Warspite_Kai) October 13, 2017

Sayonora #grapekun. RIP you adorable little guy. I’m sure there is a hululu in heaven waiting for you. #kemonofriends http://pic.twitter.com/u3fuveL5VA

— A. Wendel (@anthonywendel) October 13, 2017

my boy grape kun is cuddling with his penguin waifu in heaven
RIP little man http://pic.twitter.com/YIHEbHggy4

— Knaygro Dumplins (@KnaygroDumplins) October 13, 2017

Good Bye Grape kun

Credits: Roonhee http://pic.twitter.com/7gizWOPoXB

— AskinPLZ (@HydreWikia) October 13, 2017

 

Grape-kun became an internet sensation in April 2017 when photos of him staring at a 2D cardboard cutout of Hululu from “Kemono Friends” surfaced online, taken by Twitter user Sisukaton.

The penguin’s rise to fame didn’t end there. Just a few days after his photos went viral, Tobu Zoo sent out its own photo with a caption describing how Grape-kun stared at the 2D cardboard since the early morning of April 25, as noted on Know Your Meme.

It implied that Grape-kun fell in love with Hululu, the anthropomorphic penguin character from the anime series. However, the Humboldt penguin had gone through a terribly rough patch in September after Tobu Zoo removed his waifu from his enclosure due to a storm.

Unfortunately, the zoo did not disclose any further details regarding Grape-kun’s death.

Featured Image via Twitter / @sisukaton

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Contributer : NextShark