Kiyomasa the gorilla goes viral for 'brooding' after spat with mate at Japanese zoo
A 62-second clip of Kiyomasa, a 13-year-old western lowland gorilla at Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya, Japan, has captivated millions online after the primate was filmed appearing to brood deeply following a disagreement with his female companion — prompting a wave of jokes about human relationships.
- A video of gorilla Kiyomasa accumulated 8.2 million views on social media.
- Viewers interpreted his seated posture as contemplation after a reported disagreement with his mate.
- The footage prompted widespread jokes comparing the gorilla's behaviour to human relationships.
A young gorilla at a Japanese zoo has become one of this week's most-shared figures on social media after footage showed him sitting alone in what viewers widely described as a contemplative pose, filmed shortly after a reported spat with his mate.
The 62-second clip features Kiyomasa, a 13-year-old male western lowland gorilla at Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden in Nagoya, Japan. Born on 1 November 2012, Kiyomasa is the son of Shabani, a silverback gorilla whose striking appearance previously earned him a global fan following.
The video shows Kiyomasa sitting alone on a set of concrete steps, appearing lost in thought. At various moments, the gorilla rests his chin on his hand in a pose widely compared to that of a philosopher in contemplation, clasps his hands together, scratches his head, and gazes into the distance.
RT published the clip with the caption: "Famous gorilla Kiyomasa falls into deep contemplation after spat with mate — caught on camera in Japanese zoo." The video has since accumulated 8.2 million views.
The footage spread rapidly across X, where users flooded the comments section with jokes drawing comparisons to human relationships.
"Damn what did I do to make her that mad," wrote one user. Another commented: "That's not a gorilla anymore. That's a married man thinking about every mistake he's ever made." A third added: "Bro is sitting there wondering if he dares to ask what's for dinner, or if that single question will officially trigger the divorce papers."
The clip has struck a chord online because of how closely Kiyomasa's gestures mirror recognisably human behaviour. Whether the gorilla was genuinely reflecting on the disagreement or simply resting in a comfortable position, viewers have drawn their own conclusions — many saying his expression perfectly captures the experience of replaying an argument long after it has ended.
