Monkey Puppet

*looks left* *looks right* *sweats*

From the depths of Japanese children's television came Kento—a monkey puppet from Ōkiku naru Ko (Growing Children), a show that ran from 1959 to 1988. For decades, Kento entertained Japanese kids with wholesome educational content. Then, in 2016, he became the face of social anxiety.

The clip was simple: Kento glancing nervously side to side, his felt face somehow conveying the exact expression of someone who just heard their name mentioned in a conversation they weren't supposed to overhear. YouTube user TobiSilvero uploaded it on March 31, 2016, and the internet recognized itself immediately.

In Spanish-speaking communities, he was "No Ahora Porfavor"—"not now, please." In English, he became the universal reaction to awkward moments. The format was perfect for that specific feeling when someone calls you out and you have no defense. When the group chat gets quiet after your message. When you pretend not to hear a question you don't want to answer.

Monkey Puppet captured the anxiety of being perceived. In an era of increasing social awareness and call-out culture, Kento's nervous glance spoke to our collective fear of being caught, exposed, or simply noticed at the wrong moment.

The meme faded as newer reaction images emerged, but Kento's sideways glance remains etched in our memory. Somewhere, a felt monkey is still looking away from something he doesn't want to acknowledge.

We've all been there, Kento. We've all been there.