Punch Monkey Japan: Baby Macaque Who Punch the Monkey World's Heart Is Finally Accepted by His Troop

A seven-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch — the "punch monkey" who became a global internet sensation by clutching a stuffed orangutan toy through months of loneliness and rejection — has reached a turning point. On February 20, 2026 ET, an adult troop member named Onsing wrapped the tiny baby in a warm, extended embrace. For millions of fans who had anxiously tracked every update, the moment landed like a collective exhale.

Who Is Punch, the Punch Monkey From Japan?

Punch-kun — or simply "Punch" in English — was born July 26, 2025, at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, just outside Tokyo. Named after manga legend Monkey Punch, the creator of Lupin the Third, he was abandoned by his mother almost immediately after birth, during a record summer heatwave. Zoo staff began hand-raising him the following day, bottle-feeding the tiny primate and introducing him to a stuffed IKEA orangutan toy as a source of comfort. That plushie — nicknamed "Oran-Mama" by fans — became his constant companion.

From Loneliness to Viral Fame

On February 5, 2026 ET, Ichikawa City Zoo shared Punch's backstory on X in Japanese, asking followers to "watch over Punch's growth with warm support." The post exploded overnight. Videos of the baby monkey dragging his stuffed toy around the enclosure, clutching it while sleeping, and pressing it close during stressful moments racked up tens of millions of views globally.

The hashtag #がんばれパンチ — loosely translated as #HangInTherePunch — began trending across Japan and beyond. International media picked up the story within days, turning Punch into one of February 2026's most recognized viral figures.

Punch the Monkey Faces the Troop — and Bullies

When zookeepers formally introduced Punch to Ichikawa's Monkey Mountain on January 19, 2026, the enclosure held around 60 other Japanese macaques. The early days were rough. Other monkeys shoved him, ignored him, and one video showed an adult dragging him across the ground. Online outrage intensified, with commenters threatening — in jest — to "fly to Japan and beat up the mean monkeys."

Zoo staff clarified that the behavior was largely normal macaque socialization. Adult monkeys disciplining juveniles is how troop hierarchy and boundaries get established. What looked like bullying was, in many cases, Punch learning the rules. "Punch has been scolded many times and has learned to socialize," the zoo stated publicly.

A timeline of Punch's troop integration:

IKEA, a Mayor, and Unprecedented Crowds

The punch monkey phenomenon extended well beyond social media engagement. Ichikawa City Mayor Ko Tanaka publicly announced that Petra Fare, president and chief sustainability officer of IKEA Japan, visited the zoo and donated 33 replacement DJUNGELSKOG orangutan stuffed toys — the $20 plushie Punch had been clutching — to ensure he always had a fresh comfort item. IKEA's official social accounts in Japan, Chile, and other countries posted tributes to "Punch's comfort orangutan."

Meanwhile, Ichikawa City Zoo reported visitor surges it described as "unprecedented." Long lines formed at the entrance on weekday mornings. The zoo publicly apologized for delays in entry and posted its "heartfelt gratitude" to the crowds. Visitors who spoke to media said they had discovered Punch on Instagram and traveled specifically to see him in person.

The Moment That Broke the Internet (In the Best Way)

On February 20, 2026 ET, a video circulated widely showing adult macaque Onsing pulling Punch into a firm, sustained embrace — then grooming him. In primate social culture, grooming is among the most meaningful expressions of acceptance. It signals trust, belonging, and genuine troop membership.

The zoo confirmed the moment was real and significant. "As the days go by, the number of individuals Punch interacts with has been increasing," staff wrote, adding that Punch continues learning troop dynamics daily.

What Punch the Monkey Means Beyond the Enclosure

The punch monkeys story resonated because its emotional architecture is universal: a small creature rejected at the start of life, finding comfort in something soft, slowly earning the acceptance of a community that didn't initially want him. Zoo staff, global brands, local government, and millions of anonymous strangers all oriented themselves around rooting for one baby monkey in Chiba Prefecture.

Punch is still learning. His plushie is still nearby. And for the first time, so are his fellow monkeys.