This handsome gorilla giving us his best Blue Steel is not Shabani, but he's close
Step aside Michiel Huisman. Get out of our way Rutger Hauer. There’s a new Dutch heart-throb on the scene!
A new hot Dutchman grabbed international attention in 2015: Shabani, the handsome gorilla young Japanese women were going ape for.
The globetrotting primate – an 18-year-old silverback – was born in Apenhuel Primate Park, the Netherlands, in 1996. A few short months later, Shabani was taking his first international trip, making his way to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, where he would spend his formative years.
Then, in 2007, he made the move he was fated to make. The one that would catapult him to global stardom. He was to be the new attraction at the Higashyima Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya, Japan.
Since then, Shabani has become something of a sensation. Going through peaks and troughs of popularity – he enjoyed previous bumps in 2007 and 2011 – Shabani could not have been prepared for the onslaught of attention he would receive in 2015.
The fame came when Shabani was photographed with his mate, Ai. The photographer originally intended to capture Ai’s fist pump, but it was her partner who was drawing the eyeballs, mostly from young Japanese women.
And, thus, a meme was born. Photos began to circulate using the hashtag #Ikemen – or #シャバーニ (good looking man) – and the Japanese media began to take notice. Then it was just a short step to stardom.
#シャバーニ pic.twitter.com/wKMuAKFyte
— ｶｲ㌧ (@yeezus_68) October 31, 2015
Shabani is the meme that keeps giving. Although murmurings of his beauty first surfaced back in March, and the adulation kicked off proper in the summer, Shabani clearly has staying power.
Most of the pictures, tweets and Instagrams posted here were taken very recently. Like, this morning recently.
Look at these shots – I’m fairly sure I’ve seen male models strike these exact poses. What a natural!
Shabani! #SHABANI A photo posted by masaomi_hirata (@masaomi_hirata) on
Give me pensive…
小さく拍手するシャバーニ #ゴリラ #シャバーニ #東山動植物園 #ファインダー越しの私の世界 pic.twitter.com/IUvckG0gOV
— 葉月 (@hazukikameraman) November 12, 2015
…welcome to the gun show…
モデルみたいに格好よくポーズをとる シャバーニ #シャバーニ #東山動植物園 #ファインダー越しの私の世界 #写真好きな人と繋がりたい pic.twitter.com/8Nxamk1B7p
— 葉月 (@hazukikameraman) May 31, 2015
…and thoughtful, black and white, gazing into the mid-distance…
Such artistry!
Here he is, giving us the come hither.
東山動植物園で腕を磨く٩( ᐛ )و 平日でもシャバ様人気ですね。 #シャバーニ pic.twitter.com/rgiKlrASl6
— SUN (@hara_dasanosuke) December 15, 2015
Shabani is also a bit of a player, with two ‘wives’ on the go. He has two children, too – something that seems to have endeared him even more to his hordes of Japanese fans.
すました顔して、息子のキヨマサを擽る父のシャバーニ #シャバーニ #キヨマサ #ゴリラ #東山動植物園 #ファインダー越しの私の世界 pic.twitter.com/Q4F47YnPBQ
— 葉月 (@hazukikameraman) December 16, 2015
おはようございます。 雨もあがって、昨日より暖かくなりそうです。 シャバーニの息子、キヨマサは先日3歳になりました。 画になる親子！ 段々凛々しい顔つきになってきた…？ #ゴリラ #シャバーニ #キヨマサ pic.twitter.com/t0Jzuwy3sv
— 名古屋市東山動植物園 (@higashiyamapark) November 3, 2015
Even though he’s well into his 30s – maybe even 40s – in human years, Shabani definitely doesn’t have Dad bod, as long, lingering videos clearly show.
Such is Shabani’s fame that there have even been searches for any mere humans who could come close to his attractiveness.
イケメンゴリラ、シャバーニと似ていると言われる千賀くん☆ #千賀 #コゴスマ #シャバーニ #イケメンゴリラ pic.twitter.com/pj30yuo9nf
— もも (@sakuraaa_4evern) November 3, 2015
We’re not sure they’ve quite managed it here, though – close, but no sexy gorilla.
Where other memes have multitudinous variations – look at Bill Nye the Science Guy, or Kocoum – Shabani the handsome gorilla does not; just photo after photo of his photogenic self.
But let’s be honest – with look like these, who needs variety?
Shabani! #SHABANI A photo posted by masaomi_hirata (@masaomi_hirata) on
And for those of you who don’t think good looks open doors, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens has reported an increase in daily visits. Almost double usual figures. Mostly young women.
Go figure.
Keep watching Siliconrepublic.com as we look back on the greatest memes of 2015. Let us know your favourite at @siliconrepublic on Twitter.
Main image via Shutterstock
