Penguins are, without a doubt, one of the cutest animals in the world. This is not a statement that many people would even think to argue with–it’s as close to an obvious truth as you can get without breaking out the math! But we may have found a way to up the cuteness quotient for penguins from just “exceptionally cute” to “brain-asplodey cute.”
How? Simple: Set them jogging after their (human) crush!
▼ “Hey! Wait for me!”
Meet Sakura-chan, a female cape penguin who lives at Matsue Vogel Park in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The park is an expansive indoor garden–one of the largest in the world–featuring numerous types of flowers and birds from all over the planet.
But let’s cut to the chase–you’re not here for the park. You’re here for the cute penguin!
▼ “No, Sakura, I have to work!”
In a post on the park’s official blog, readers were introduced to the adorable penguin–and learned a little secret perfect for Valentine’s Day. You see, Sakura-chan has been struck by Cupid’s arrow–but her beau isn’t of the avian type. No, her love crosses every biological boundary we can imagine. You see, this little cutie is head-over-heels for…one of the human staff members! She’s so smitten with the caretaker that she can’t bear to be away from him and will scuttle after the worker even when he tries to run away.
▼ “I just want you to loooooooove me!”
▼ “Awww…I can’t say no to you!”
In a top ten list of cutest things in the world, human-chasing, love-lorn penguins would surely be very near the top spot. But don’t take our word for it. Check out all the romantic action in the video below!
According to the penguin’s reluctant lover, as fast as Sakura-chan is in the video, she can apparently run even faster! Which makes her at least twice as fast as this writer…
So how about our human readers? Will you be chasing any (hopefully not reluctant) lovers this Friday? If so, be sure to flap as you waddle–that seems to help with balance.
Sources: Matsue Vogel Park blog via Pleated Jeans, YouTube
Images: Matsue Vogel Park blog
Baby penguin seeing sakura for the first time is all of us during hanami season 【Video】
Japanese zoo penguin falls in love with cutout of cute anime penguin girl
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Beautiful Ghibli earrings allow you to finally reunite two of the studio’s star-crossed lovers
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
The entire Pokémon Red and Blue Kanto region map, built as a 3-D diorama, looks amazing【Photos】
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Creator of Rurouni Kenshin anime/manga admits to possession of child pornography
Häagen-Dazs Japan gives us another Crispy Sandwich flavor to swoon over: roasted green tea
Exhibition on the 1,500 year-history of traditional Japanese women’s clothing to open in Shibuya
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says