
A DVD of Japan’s “hottest primate” is set to go on sale nationwide in December.
Last summer, women across Japan had their hearts stolen by the newest handsome face to be discovered by the Japanese media. That sort of thing happens a couple of time a year, as a celebrity’s visual image is critical to his success in Japan, but the new heartthrob, and it’s not just that he goes by the single name Shabani.
No, what truly sets Shabani apart is that he’s not a singer, actor, or professional athelte. He’s a gorilla at Nagoya’s Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden. Even through he’s been living at the facility for eight years, it wasn’t until recently that he rocketed to fame as an ikemen (a Japanese term for hot (ordinarily human) guys), and with fame in Japan comes endorsement deals. 2016 is the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese Zodiac, and with more and more people in Japan designing their own New Year’s Cards using their PC, Adobe thought Shabani was the perfect choice to promote the company’s image editing software.
If that short one-minute video didn’t satisfy you desire to gaze upon Shabani’s manly mug, you’ll be happy to know that the 19-year-old western lowland gorilla also has his own DVD coming out, titled Ikemen Sugiru Gorilla. Shabani, or Shabani, the Gorilla Who’s Just Too Hot.
Produced by the Higashiyama Zoo, the DVD can be preordered through Lawson and Mini Stop convenience stores, and officially goes on sale at Lawson branches on December 22. We’re assuming the video includes plenty of close-ups of Shabani’s strong, stoic eyes, and the above images seem to indicate at least one sequence where viewers can appreciate the shapely buttocks of “the hottest primate,” as the zoo is billing the DVD’s star.
The disc isn’t a complete solo project though. Also included are scenes of Shabani spending time with his children and two female mates. While the news that Shabani is romantically involved no doubt comes as a shock to a segment of his admirers, they can at least take heart in the fact that he and his wives are apparently receptive to the idea of open relationships.
Sources: IT Media (1, 2)
Top image: Ikemen Shabani
Insert images: YouTube/AdobeCreativeStation, Ikemen Shabani



Shabani the gorilla is so handsome he’ll be appearing on sweets in Japan this Valentine’s Day
Handsome macho gorilla pillow lets you snuggle on its ripped chest for a comfortable sleep
Watch an artist sketch Shabani, Japan’s handsome gorilla, and fall in love all over again【Video】
Japan’s gorilla poo oranges are now in season, and being given away for free!
Gorilla with a randoseru backpack and elementary school student cap is Japan’s newest WTF gacha
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Defibrillator toys from Japanese capsule machines are so realistic they might save a life
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
SoraNews24’s Mr. Sato is now the top Japanese search result for “handsome man” on Google Japan
Home of Japan’s anime-loving penguin has new tie-up event, may create another animal otaku
Japan’s Capybara Long Bath Championship 2022! Upstart powerhouse vs. original dynasty【Video】
Japan’s anime-loving penguin turned to comfort of a 2-D girl after being scorned by his 3-D wife
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy