Punch the Monkey: Japan's Baby Macaque With an Emotional Support Plush Is Uniting the Internet
He's small, fluffy, and carries a stuffed orangutan nearly as big as himself wherever he goes. Meet Punch — the baby Japanese macaque from the Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo who has become one of the most beloved viral animals in the world, capturing tens of millions of hearts with a story equal parts heartbreaking and triumphant.
Who Is Punch the Monkey?
Punch-kun (Japanese: パンチくん) was born on July 26, 2025, at the Ichikawa City Zoo but was subsequently abandoned by his mother, who lacked interest in raising him. The day after his birth, he was artificially fed from a baby bottle, and two caretakers began hand-raising him. He was named after Monkey Punch, the mangaka who authored Lupin the Third.
Zookeepers experimented with substitutes including rolled-up towels and other stuffed animals before settling on an orange, bug-eyed orangutan sold by IKEA. They chose it specifically because its resemblance to a real monkey might help Punch integrate back into the troop later on. Punch has rarely been seen without it since, dragging the cuddly toy everywhere even though it is bigger than him.
How Punch Went Viral: The Story That Broke the Internet
On February 5, 2026, the zoo made an online post about Punch's backstory, which became an overnight sensation. More images of Punch with the orangutan plushie went viral in Japan and abroad, and the hashtag #がんばれパンチ — loosely translating to #HangInTherePunch — began circulating online.
Clips of Punch have racked up tens of millions of views, some surpassing the 30 million mark on TikTok and Instagram. One particularly iconic clip shows Punch crawling around, desperately trying to get the plushie to hug him back. The internet was not okay.
"I would adopt Punch and love him forever." "3 days in a row crying over Punch." "We, as a society, should create a Punch protection squad."
Even late-night television took notice. Stephen Colbert referenced Punch during his opening monologue, joking that the $19.99 IKEA Djungelskog might be exactly the kind of comfort everyone needs right now.
Punch Gets Bullied — and the Zoo Responds
He was integrated with other macaques at Monkey Mountain, home to around 60 monkeys, on January 19, 2026. Due to the lack of a maternal figure, Punch initially struggled with socializing, showing signs of anxiety and isolation. Videos showed older monkeys swatting him away, dragging him, and rejecting his attempts to connect.
The zoo issued a statement explaining one incident: "The adult monkey that dragged Punch is probably the mother of the monkey with whom Punch tried to communicate. She probably felt that her baby was annoyed by Punch and got upset."
The zoo urged fans to change their perspective, asking the public to "support Punch's effort rather than feel sorry for him," noting that while he gets scolded, he shows remarkable mental resilience and bounces back quickly.
The Hopeful Update: Punch Is Making Friends
The story has taken a genuinely uplifting turn. The zoo reported that "Punch is gradually deepening his interactions with the troop! He's getting groomed, playfully poking at others, getting scolded, and having all sorts of experiences every day, steadily learning how to live as a monkey." The zoo later confirmed that as the days go by, the number of individuals Punch interacts with has been increasing.
Primatologists told the BBC that repeated interactions — including rejection or scolding — are essential steps toward acceptance within macaque groups and play a critical role in long-term social health.
IKEA Sells Out, eBay Prices Skyrocket
| Item | Original IKEA Price | eBay Resale Price |
|---|---|---|
| DJUNGELSKOG Orangutan Plush | $19.99 USD | Up to $350 USD |
On February 17, IKEA representatives visited the Ichikawa City Zoo and donated 33 stuffed toys to Punch. IKEA Japan's CEO also visited the zoo to present the donation to the Mayor of Ichikawa City. The brand leaned into the viral moment, posting a photo of Punch's comfort orangutan with the caption: "Sometimes, family is who we find along the way."
Why Punch Matters Beyond the Cute Videos
An analysis published by Forbes described Punch as a "relatable outsider," noting that social media users have created memes, artwork, and messages of support while closely following his progress. As one X user wrote, Punch is "proof that even in the toughest starts, love — and a good cuddle buddy — wins."
Whether Punch the monkey fully wins over his troop remains a story still being written — but with millions of fans worldwide cheering him on, he's already won something far bigger.
