Penguin in Japan zoo obsessed with anime girl cardboard cut-out has died. World mourns.

This is the tragic story of a penguin named Grape.

Guan Zhen Tan | October 15, 2017, 05:18 AM

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:

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.

Screenshot from variety show Harajuku Avenue, via Jeremy Randall's Twitter

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.

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.

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

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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.

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.

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

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

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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