Gorilla Building

While King Kong is synonymous for perching high atop the Empire State Building in New York City holding Ann Darrow in his hand like a rag doll, it appears there is a copycat giant gorilla on the loose in Japan.

Dangling off the top of a three-story commercial building in the Sangenjaya neighborhood of Tokyo is a giant gorilla. Though not officially identified as King Kong, the gorilla is acting in a similar manner as the larger-than-life creature of the iconic monster film released in 1933, having scaled the building while possessing something in its hand.

The Sangenjaya gorilla presents a schoolgirl in his right hand as he extends his arm down from the top of the pink commercial building that houses a FamilyMart convenience store on the ground floor. A girl with black hair in pigtails is wearing a green dress, but no shoes—most likely having fallen off during the ascension of the building. She appears to be in good spirits; more confused than frightened.

Unsurprisingly, this out-of-the-ordinary scene is affectionately and appropriately known as the “Gorilla Building.” It is less than a 10-minute walk from the Sangenjaya train station.