Punch the Monkey: Japan's Viral Baby Macaque and His IKEA Plush Are Winning the Internet in 2026

Move over, Moo Deng. The undisputed feel-good story of early 2026 belongs to a tiny, wide-eyed baby macaque named Punch — an orphaned Japanese snow monkey at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo who captured the entire internet's heart by clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy for comfort after being abandoned by his mother at birth.

Who Is Punch the Monkey?

Punch (Japanese: パンチくん) was born on July 25, 2025, at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. He was named after Monkey Punch, the mangaka who authored Lupin the Third. He was subsequently abandoned by his mother, who lacked interest in raising him. The day after his birth, he was artificially fed and two caretakers began hand-raising him.

Zookeepers gifted Punch a stuffed orangutan from IKEA — the "Djungelskog" model — as both an emotional comfort and as a way to increase his muscle strength. One particularly adorable but heartbreaking clip shows Punch crawling around, desperately trying to get the plushie to hug him back.

How Punch Went Viral

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, or #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. Even Stephen Colbert referenced Punch in his late-night opening monologue.

The Bullying Videos — and the Zoo's Response

Punch was integrated with other macaques at the zoo's Monkey Mountain enclosure — 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 circulating online showed other monkeys shoving Punch, leaving him only his emotional support toy as comfort. By Thursday, another video emerged appearing to show Punch getting attacked by an older monkey in his troop. The zoo moved quickly to reassure fans, explaining the adult monkey was simply protecting her own baby — not being malicious — and that Punch "shows resilience and mental strength" while learning the group's rules.

IKEA Steps In — and Sells Out Worldwide

Punch's attachment to the IKEA DJUNGELSKOG orangutan plush triggered a retail phenomenon. The $20 stuffed toy sold out across multiple IKEA regions worldwide within days of Punch's story going global. Resellers on eBay quickly listed the plush for prices as high as $350.

IKEA Japan CEO Petra Färe personally visited the Ichikawa City Zoo on February 17 to present a donation of 33 stuffed toys — including additional orangutans — along with storage items, to further support Punch and the zoo's children's area. IKEA also posted a photo of the toy on social media captioned: "Sometimes, family is who we find along the way."

Punch's Progress: A Hopeful Update

The zoo reported that as of February 6, Punch was gradually deepening his interactions with the troop of monkeys. By mid-February, the number of individuals Punch interacted with was 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.

Punch by the Numbers

Punch arrives in a moment when online audiences are primed for emotional, authentic storytelling about resilience and belonging. His story — orphaned, clutching a surrogate, slowly finding his way — has been projected onto by millions as a metaphor for loneliness, acceptance, and what it feels like to be on the outside looking in. Whether Punch fully wins over his troop remains a story still being written — but with millions of fans worldwide cheering #HangInTherePunch, he's already won something far bigger. 🧡