This is the saddest thing you'll read today.

Grape the penguin, or Grape-kun (a suffix used to address a younger male or a male counterpart endearingly), was a Humboldt penguin.

He passed away at the ripe old age of 21. He would have been around 80 in human years.

He was living at Tobu Zoo in Saitama, Japan.

Animal deaths are common, but Grape's story is one of a kind.

Grape's call to fame was a result of his unrequited love and undying passion for a cardboard cut-out of an anime character, Hululu, an anthropomorphic penguin from the hit anime series Kemono Friends, which got its inspiration from Singapore's Night Safari.

Accidentally in love

The cardboard cut-out was placed in the penguin enclosure as part of a collaboration with the anime series, which saw other characters being placed around other parts of the zoo as well.

But Grape the penguin was a peculiar case.

While most of the animals paid little to no attention to the cut-outs placed everywhere else, Grape fell so deeply in love with Hululu, visitors and zookeepers alike spotted the penguin loyally staying by her side.

Here he is in happier days:

コラボ4日目の紫バンド pic.twitter.com/QpxvYZSzCm

— NORiうさぎ🐰 (@asfum) April 26, 2017

やはり、気に入ってるみたいですね。今日も朝から見てます。 #けものフレンズ pic.twitter.com/H2wbSxPh6M

— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) April 26, 2017

そして、小野さん、築田さん、けものフレンズプロジェクトの皆さんもありがとうございました。
コラボは終わりましたが、明日も十人十色な動物たちと愉快な飼育係、フルルとグレープ君はいつもの場所でみんなを待ってますよ。#東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ pic.twitter.com/5As3xBk0px

— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) September 3, 2017

Lifelong mate left Grape for another penguin

Grape had a rather tragic past before he met his 2D idol, however.

According to a penguin specialist at the zoo, Humboldt penguins mate for life, and Grape was supposedly attached to Midori, another penguin that was same age as he was.

However, when the couple moved into Tobu Zoo, Midori took interest in another younger penguin which was approximately 40 penguin years her junior, and subsequently dumping Grape.

Since then, Grape was inconsolable.

Until Hululu came along.

https://twitter.com/ranjer86/status/911035116339761152

Refused to eat

He was so in love with Hululu, the zookeepers couldn't even bear to take Hululu's cut-out away from Grape.

Zookeepers were even forced to separate Grape from Hululu when they realised he stopped eating after becoming obsessed with the cardboard cut-out.

なんか例のフルル好きな紫のペンギン隔離されてる pic.twitter.com/GZJOWjD7oS

— きょくちょ@単行本二冊目『らぶみー♡』発売！！ (@kyockcho) April 27, 2017

Even though Grape was eventually allowed to be with his new love, happy times didn't last long.

During the typhoon season in Japan, Grape and Hululu's cut-out were forced to be separated due to the incoming storm.

台風接近の為、「フルル避難」 グレープ君
ごめんね。（ ; ; ）#東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ #フルル #グレープ君 #台風 pic.twitter.com/jtnccv2T90

— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) September 17, 2017

Grape quickly became desolate and depressed in the absence of Hululu.

https://twitter.com/RAMU7539/status/909407523903385600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.rocketnews24.com%2F2017%2F09%2F19%2Fjapans-anime-loving-penguin-loses-his-2-d-waifu-temporarily-breaks-our-hearts-with-sad-photos%2F

[related_story]

Fell sick

However, he was reunited briefly once again with his favourite 2D character.

Sadly, it wasn't long before Grape fell sick, weeks before a special autumn festival dedicated to him was to take place on Nov. 11, 2017.

「フルル帰宅」 ただいま、グレープ君#東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ #フルル #グレープ君 #台風一過 pic.twitter.com/L8Y2qdI9Pe

— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) September 18, 2017

緊急告知！秋のグレープ祭開催決定！
詳しくは後ほどホームページに掲載します。

また、グッチの仕業ですよ(ﾟ∀ﾟ)#東武動物公園 #グレープ君 pic.twitter.com/L4Y6Cps2Dn

— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) October 9, 2017

Tragically, Grape passed on, and according to the zoo's official Twitter on Oct. 13, Hululu watched over him until the very end.

Grieving fans

Tributes poured out incessantly, by fans who probably didn't have a dry eye after hearing the news.

pic.twitter.com/qHATQtzk1U

— バンプレイオス (@fafagod) October 13, 2017

You charmed the world and made it a little brighter.
See you, Space Cowboy. #グレープ君 pic.twitter.com/2ZwnAkXTQw

— Body Horror Matt (@illeity) October 13, 2017

pic.twitter.com/aIasonZqVB

— Wyvern - ジュリエン (@agentatsugi) October 13, 2017

Gravity release me,
And don't ever hold me down.
Now my feet won't touch the ground.

Farewell, Grape-kun. #グレープ君 #けものフレンズ pic.twitter.com/wx9OVX81eq

— Harley (@HarleyFox92) October 13, 2017

A makeshift memorial took place at the zoo, where fans brought bouquets and grape-flavoured drinks in tribute to the penguin.

本日の献花の様子です
吉崎先生のパネルは今朝カドカワの方が直接園に持参された様です
グレープ君のバンドも飾ってあります
ご冥福をお祈りします#東武動物公園#グレープ君 pic.twitter.com/Rfci61hUL0

— ニラオ (@nirao1015) October 14, 2017

The artist behind the series that birthed Hululu also drew a tribute to Grape, picturing him with his love.

吉崎先生、素敵な絵をありがとうございます。 #東武動物公園 #けものフレンズ #グレープ君 #フルル pic.twitter.com/fRaORqqQAd

— 東武動物公園【公式】リュウくん (@tobuzoo7) October 14, 2017

With so much love, adoration and memories, we hope you rest in peace, Grape the penguin.

Top image via Tobu Zoo's official Twitter account

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