Latest news with #Harambe
Tokyo Weekender
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Brace Yourselves: Kawaii Monster Cafe is Back
Remember 2015? Snapchat's dog filter had us in a chokehold, Harambe was still alive and Harajuku unveiled the fever dream known as Kawaii Monster Cafe. Produced by art director Sebastian Masuda, the neon restaurant became the Instagram background of choice for anyone who wanted to dip their toes in Harajuku pastel maximalism. Then 2021 hit. The cafe closed, mourned by influencers and tourists alike. But the monster wasn't dead — just hibernating. Now, in 2025, it's coming back, somehow bigger and more ominous, in amusement park form, with a shiny new name: Kawaii Monster Land . List of Contents: Oh God. What Even Is Kawaii Monster Land? A Recession Indicator Related Posts Oh God. What Even Is Kawaii Monster Land? Genda GiGO Entertainment has partnered with Masuda to launch Kawaii Monster Land, a sprawling underground amusement park opening on Harajuku's iconic Takeshita Street. Set in a vast basement space, the park is built around the whimsical tale that 'long ago, a massive amusement park lay hidden beneath Harajuku.' What visitors will experience at Kawaii Monster Land are the 'unearthed and recreated' remnants of that fantastical world. Expect rides shaped like desserts, 'Monster Girl' live shows, aggressively photogenic food and more pink than your retinas can process. It's the same kawaii sensory overload of the OG cafe with just as many photo op spots, now also with monster-themed rides. Kawaii Monsters: A Recession Indicator? Back in its heyday, the cafe brought in 150,000 customers annually, and gave Tokyo one of its most surreal cultural exports. It had a massive spinning cake-shaped centerpiece, milk bottle chandeliers, big rabbit-head ornaments hanging from the ceiling, a trippy mushroom forest — need I say more? The Kawaii Monster Cafe aesthetic was part of a certain micro-era, one that's been swept away by the sands of time (approximately five years). Like the return of so many mid-2010s phenomena — the return of low-rise jeans, everyone getting really into DJing again, etc. — it feels like a certain recession indicator. The world is in a state of chaos, and we're being transported back to 2016. E conomists, take note; neon monsters resurrecting from the depths of Harajuku is surely an ominous sign. If you start seeing rainbow churros on your TikTok feed, it's time to start looking into buying canned goods and gold bars. Still, unlike many of the things commonly cited in the 'recession indicators' meme , Kawaii Monster Land promises to be lots of fun — and let's be honest, I'll be one of the first ones lining up. It'll be painfully photogenic: a technicolor fantasy fever dream perfect for escaping reality. Related Posts What Japanese Subculture Are You Based on Your Zodiac Sign? Take a Tour of Harajuku's Fashion Subcultures with Kawaii Guide Sarah Gil Barranco FriendsWithYou Have Created Their Own Hyper-Kawaii Mythology Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy .
The Drive
12-08-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Someone Stole Ram's V8 Bucking Hemi Mechanical Bull
The latest car news, reviews, and features. First, Harambe, then Peanut the Squirrel, and now, now some terrible person has taken from us Ram's V8-powered mechanical bull, a.k.a. 'Bucking Hemi.' Revealed as a 'symbol of protest,' Ram's new V8 logo is as macho as can be, and rather fitting for a fun carnival ride at the yearly Roadkill Nights events in Pontiac, Michigan. The mechanical bull V8 put in several days of buckin' duty last weekend, but it was reportedly stolen during disassembly. 'What began as a bold symbol of horsepower and rebellion has taken an unfortunate turn. On the evening of Sunday, August 9, at approximately 9:45 pm, following a Ram-sponsored event at Roadkill Nights in Michigan, the Bucking Hemi was stolen during disassembly. A formal report has been filed with local police, and an investigation is underway,' a company spokesperson told The Drive via email. The automaker claims that while this is a tremendous loss, it remains undeterred and is asking the public for help finding its beloved robotic mascot. And for what it's worth, a spokesperson has confirmed that this is not a PR stunt, so yeah, Bucking Hemi is missing for real. Have you seen a parted-out Hemi V8-powered mechanical bull that looks like a robotic Ram? If so, hit up your local authorities and also let us know! Got a tip? Email us at tips@
The Citizen
09-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Thembisa community centre gets facelift from KTVR Bus Service
The KTVR Bus Service, the operating company for Harambe BRT, united its stakeholders to spend their Mandela Day 67 minutes revitalising the Bamaketse Community Development Centre in Kopanong, Thembisa, on July 25. Established in 2023, the centre had operated under challenging conditions, lacking even a computer until the KTVR stepped in. The partnership began when the KTVR donated computers, and since then, they have continued to support the centre's growth. ALSO READ: EWC learners bring Mandela Day joy to Glenny Terrace seniors On Mandela Day, the team returned to paint and beautify the facility, bringing new colours and a spirit of renewal. Msimelelo Sigabi, the CEO of KTVR Bus Services, explained their commitment to ongoing community support. 'We have already donated computers to the centre, and this year, we identified them for our Mandela Day program. We painted the building and helped with the garden. 'Thanks to the office of Dr Mtshali for approving and supporting this event. Although we would love to do this monthly, we face resource challenges, but we will do our best. 'We do this to thank the Thembisa residents who use our buses daily. We appreciate their support. My message is, don't lose hope in us.' Collen Chauke, the director of the Bamaketse Community Development Centre, thanked the KTVR. ALSO READ: Kempton Park students honour Mandela Day with manicures for the elderly 'The contributions from Harambe and KTVR have eased much of our work. Today's revamp will create a better space for our beneficiaries. 'We will be able to group them according to their needs and continue growing people with disabilities while ensuring their recognition in society.' Noah Moleya of the Tembisa Local Taxi Association shared his pride in being part of the initiative. 'I am blessed to be part of an organisation that gives back to the community. Harambe and the taxi industry have grown into a corporate business, which is alive because of community support. 'We are strengthened by those who rely on us, and whenever possible, we will continue standing up and giving back to the community.'
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Little Boy, 3, Unconscious After Falling 24 Feet into Zoo Enclosure. Seconds Later, Female Gorilla Picked Him Up
Binti Jua became a hero when she rescued a 3-year-old boy who fell into her gorilla enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago She safely scooped the boy up and delivered him to zookeepers, who were waiting at the door to her habitat Binti Jua is still alive today, greeting visitors at the Brookfield ZooIt's been nearly three decades since the world's hairiest hero burst into public consciousness. In 1996, a 3-year-old boy tumbled 24 feet into a gorilla enclosure after sliding through a barrier at a Chicago-area zoo. What happened next was as surprising as it was endearing. Video from the Brookfield Zoo's Western Lowland Gorilla Pit showed a then-8-year-old gorilla named Binti Jua making her way to the unconscious tot. Onlookers feared the worst, wondering what the 160-lb. great ape would do to the tiny intruder. Binti Jua, who had her own 17-month-old baby clinging to her back, stunned everyone as she carefully picked the lifeless boy up around his waist, cradled him in her arms and carried him to a service door where zoo officials awaited. Upon gingerly putting the child down, she scurried away, Sondra Catzen, a zoo spokeswoman, told the Chicago Tribune in 1996. At the time of the incident, six other gorillas were in the exhibit, and zookeepers used a hose to keep them at bay. The incident garnered international headlines and has been discussed ever since, particularly 20 years later at a Cincinnati Zoo, when another child fell into a gorilla enclosure — that time, though, things took a much darker turn, as zoo officials shot and killed the 450-lb. gorilla named Harambe, who was seen dragging the child. Whereas Harambe was male, Binti Jua was female, which could have factored into the differing results. In the year that followed, many attributed Binti Jua's actions to her 'motherly instinct.' "She was somewhat protective, too. Part of the video, she takes the child and sort of turns a shoulder to the other gorillas," zoo worker Jay Peterson told CBS News in 2011. In addition, zookeepers noted that Binti Jua, whose name means "daughter of sunshine' in Swahili, was born in captivity and raised by humans, so seeing the person in her midst wasn't completely foreign. The boy, who's never been publicly named, spent four days in the hospital, but only suffered a broken hand and facial cuts. In the wake of the five-minute incident, Binti Jua became an ever greater attraction at the zoo and was showered with gifts and letters from around the world. The Chicago Tribune reported that several people offered money to adopt Binti Jua, and an Illinois grocer gifted her 25 lbs. of bananas as a means of thanks. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Binti Jua, who arrived at the Brookfield Zoo in 1991 on a breeding loan from the San Francisco Zoo, still lives in Brookfield's gorilla exhibit. In March, she celebrated her 37th birthday. According to National Geographic, Western Lowland gorillas typically live to 35 years old in the wild, but usually live longer under human care. They are listed as a 'critically endangered species.' The World Wildlife Fund reports that the gorilla's numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years due to poaching and disease. Read the original article on People
News18
29-05-2025
- News18
From Tragedy To Internet Icon, The Incredible Story Of Harambe The Gorilla
Last Updated: Harambe's story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding wildlife captivity and human responsibility. On the afternoon of May 28, 2016, a three-year-old kid visiting the Cincinnati Zoo with his family climbed over a public barrier and fell into the moat that surrounds the Gorilla World exhibit. Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla weighing 400 pounds, lived in the enclosure. The aftermath of this human coming face to face with the wildlife became a poignant and unforgotten chapter in our meme culture that is still fresh in the minds of the folks on the Internet. What Happened After That Upon falling roughly 15 feet into the moat, the child was approached by Harambe. Video footage captured by bystanders shows Harambe standing near the boy and then grabbing and dragging him through the water. At one point, Harambe appeared to hold the boy upright, which some interpreted as protective behaviour, though it also involved moments of rough handling. The scene was distressing, with onlookers shouting, some recording video, and others pleading for help. The zoo's animal response team quickly arrived on the scene. While Harambe did not appear to be overly aggressive in all of his actions, zoo officials described his behaviour as 'agitated" and unpredictable. There were growing concerns that the gorilla could unintentionally harm or kill the child due to his sheer size and strength, even if Harambe meant no harm. Tranquilizing Harambe was ruled out by zoo staff, as they feared the sedative wouldn't take effect immediately, and could further agitate the animal. Given the potential danger to the child's life, the decision was made to fatally shoot Harambe with a rifle. The child was then safely retrieved by zoo personnel and taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including scrapes and bruises. After The Incident The incident triggered a firestorm of public opinion. Some blamed the zoo for inadequate safety measures, while others criticised the boy's parents for not supervising their child more closely. An investigation by authorities cleared both the zoo and the boy's parents of wrongdoing, citing it as a tragic accident. While the child survived with only minor injuries, the shooting of Harambe sparked global outrage, ignited debates on animal captivity, and made Harambe a viral symbol of both genuine concern and internet satire. The Rise of the Harambe Meme After Harambe's death, the internet transformed the gorilla into a viral meme. The hashtag #RIPHarambe trended widely, and satirical campaigns emerged. Harambe's name was humorously suggested in various online polls, such as naming a baby gorilla 'Harambe McHarambeface." (X / Screengrab) The Cincinnati Zoo, overwhelmed by the meme's persistence, temporarily deleted its Twitter account due to constant mentions, as per reports. Harambe's image became a symbol of internet culture, blending satire and commentary. The meme culture surrounding Harambe highlighted the internet's role in shaping public discourse and collective memory. Harambe's Enduring Legacy Harambe's death led to increased scrutiny of zoo practices and discussions about human-animal interactions. The Cincinnati Zoo faced both criticism and support, while Harambe's story reportedly inspired songs, artworks, and even a statue on Wall Street. The incident remains a reference point in debates about wildlife conservation and the ethical treatment of animals. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 29, 2025, 17:36 IST
