The Punch Effect: 2026’s Most Viral IKEA Soft Toy Has Sold Out Worldwide

At Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, the most unlikely star of 2026 has emerged. He doesn’t walk Paris runways or sign brand deals, yet he has something many would envy: an inseparable accessory that has become a digital cult object. We’re talking about an IKEA orangutan plush that, after going viral, has sold out in numerous stores worldwide.

Although the real protagonist isn’t the toy, but Punch himself — a baby macaque. Born in July 2025, his story began far from the heart-warming image now circulating online. His mother rejected him shortly after birth, forcing zoo staff to step in and hand-rear him. Without that initial bond, caretakers looked for ways to make him feel safe — until the plush that changed everything appeared: IKEA’s DJUNGELSKOG.

Punch quickly grew attached to it, and since then there’s hardly a photo of him without the orangutan in his arms. That’s how “oran-mama” was born — the nickname the internet coined within hours. An intimate moment — a baby monkey clutching a soft toy — turned into a global phenomenon.

When life turns its back on you… you hug a plush

Fitting in with the troop wasn’t easy. Whenever he tried to approach, some of the other monkeys pushed him away and even hit him, so progress has had to be gradual. The zoo says he’s now beginning to interact more confidently — and even stand his ground when needed — a positive sign in a process that still requires time and patience.

Meanwhile, the internet did what it does best. Images were shared endlessly, comments multiplied and memes turned Punch into one of 2026’s unexpected digital icons. He went from a small macaque in a Japanese zoo to a full-blown online star.

IKEA also joined the conversation on social media, and the impact was immediate. Searches for the plush surged and, within days, the toy had sold out in several stores.

The story hasn’t just produced memes and edits; it has inspired creative reinterpretations too, including a video shared by evolving.ai, where creator Charles Curran imagines Punch as a ninja-like hero defending himself — as if starring in his own action film.

The narrative moved a step further when Petra Fare, President and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Japan, visited the zoo and donated more plush toys for Punch and additional toys for the centre — a simple gesture that strengthened the link between the brand and the phenomenon surrounding the young macaque.

More than just a cute story

What began as a touching scene has sparked a wider conversation about attachment in animals and how, much like humans, they seek comfort when facing difficult moments.

Punch never asked to be famous. He just needed something to hold on to. Yet without meaning to, he took over social feeds and turned an IKEA plush into one of the most sought-after toys of the moment.

And yes, the internet is completely smitten.

Gustaf Westman signs his first collection with IKEA.