For the second consecutive year, both Kyoto Aquarium and Tokyo’s Sumida Aquarium have unveiled a unique chart showcasing the intricate romantic relationships among their beloved penguins. The charts depict the various complexities found in the social dynamics of these aquatic creatures, bringing a delightful insight into their world.
Types of Penguin Relationships
Kyoto Aquarium’s penguin love chart: The maps identify five main types of relationship among penguins, signified by color-coded lines. The heart symbol (red) represents couples and lovers. Broken hearts (blue) indicate busted relationships. Hearts with a question mark (purple) represent complicated relationships that may be more than just friendships. Yellow lines show basic friendships, and green lines indicate adversarial connections.Sumida Aquarium’s penguin love chart: This aquarium has added a fish symbol for penguins that are “Sardine Club” members, indicating their love for the oily fish.
Meet Sumida Aquarium’s Star Couple
Sumida Aquarium’s star couple: Rose (top left, blue bubble) was once a pick-up artist before meeting Warabi (top right, pink bubble), previously the most popular penguin in the aquarium.Rose and Warabi: After falling in love, this couple now “can’t bear to leave each other’s side for more than one second.”
Kyoto Aquarium’s Popularity Queen
Kyoto Aquarium’s popularity queen: Tera has gained a reputation as the biggest heartbreaker, having dumped six penguins in the past year.
A Unique Love Story
Ajisai and Choco: After marrying Ajisai, who is loving and friendly, party animal Choco stopped going out at night.
The Scandalous Relationship
The most scandalous relationship? Father and son Kuruma and Nijou were romantically involved before both fell for the same female penguin, Hana.
Commonalities with Humans
Just like us? “We’d like more people to know that penguins have their own individuality and complex relationships,” noted Shoko Okuda, a spokeswoman for ORIX Group, overseeing the two aquariums.
