Gorilla sits in deep thought after fight with mate, makes Internet wonder if it's AI

Published 10 June 2026 · tech

A gorilla sitting quietly with his head lowered and eyes seemingly lost in thought has become the internet's latest emotional support animal. The viral video

A gorilla sitting quietly with his head lowered and eyes seemingly lost in thought has become the internet's latest emotional support animal. The viral video shows the ape appearing to brood after an alleged disagreement with his mate, prompting users to joke that he was going through the same relationship struggles as humans. The gorilla at the centre of the clip was initially identified as Kiyomasa, a 13-year-old western lowland gorilla from Japan's Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden in Nagoya. Kiyomasa is the son of Shabani, the zoo's famous silverback gorilla who gained international attention for his striking looks and large fan following.

Read Full Story However, as the clip gained popularity, some users began questioning the story behind it. Several pointed out that the gorilla shown in the video appeared to be Shabani rather than Kiyomasa. Others went a step further, suggesting that the footage may have been created or manipulated using artificial intelligence, though no definitive evidence has emerged to confirm those claims. The one-minute video shows the gorilla sitting alone, leaning forward with one arm resting on his leg and his hand supporting his head. The pose immediately reminded viewers of someone deep in contemplation after an argument.

Reports accompanying the clip claimed that the footage was captured shortly after a spat with his mate, a detail that only fuelled the internet's imagination. See the video Famous gorilla Kiyomasa falls into deep contemplation after spat with mate — caught on camera in Japanese zoo pic.twitter.com/uZhzYhs5Am— RT (@RT_com) June 9, 2026 As the video spread across X and other social media platforms, users flooded the comments section with jokes about heartbreak, relationship troubles and overthinking. Many said the gorilla's expression looked uncannily human, while others joked that he resembled someone replaying an argument in their head hours later and thinking of the perfect comeback.

Regardless of the video's origins, its appeal lies in the way viewers projected familiar human emotions onto the animal. Whether it was a gorilla reflecting on a disagreement, simply resting, or even an AI-generated creation, the clip struck a chord because it captured a feeling many people recognised instantly. Ends