The Story of the Nameless Gorilla

A picture is worth a thousand words

-Albert Einstein

Never before has this quote been more true, through this simple 2 paged doujin a concept greater than any words can convey were impressed upon my soul. The difference is that great art, such as this, conveys more than words can carry but I will do my best to explain it to you so that you may achieve enlightenment as I have. Before continuing, in order to best understand my perception it would be best to reread it thinking from the perspective that YOU are the gorilla.

There is no greater beauty nor tragedy than that of life and death, a concept used from the beginning of stories because of the value it holds. A concept that I saw in all its beauty when reading this masterpiece. We see Gorilla as he lives his life, and although his life was short and showed no importance, it expresses the same element that we experience in our own lives: futility. Think back on your life and find one thing that justifies your existence. This is a task that is almost impossible for the majority of the populous and this is shown through the first chapter of gorilla's life.

After we encounter and share this connecting element of the gorilla's life we are brought to the second chapter, one that conveys the truth of death. It is an unavoidable element of life that cannot and never will be defeated. It was unexpectedly soon in this doujin and brought a sense of incompletion. There was so much left for that gorilla to experience, things that he never got to experience, and that he will never be able to. This gorilla was subject to the harsh reality that binds every single one of us on the earthly plane, a reality that makes us all equal no matter how much you value yourself over this gorilla or any other living being.

There are so many other elements that were intentionally omitted in order to enhance the experience. Something as simple as a name. This gorilla didn't have family. This gorilla didn't have friends. This gorilla didn't have a personality. What hurts me the most, though, is that he didn't have a name. A name is something that we all have, something that resonates with us: an identity for oneself. This gorilla lacking such a small thing shows how futile his existence really is and portrays an element that we can all resonate with as we will all be forgotten as time passes.

Don't ever forget this nameless, personality-less, non-unique gorilla because he represents you. It has been said time and time again in the form of carpe diem, seize the day, live life like you mean it, etc. but we have never truly understood these words before now. In the spirit of Gorilla-san live your life, do everything you can to enjoy it because, eventually, you will be the human that will die in 1 day.