Why YouTube Channels Like “Monkey Explained” Use a Monkey as a Recurring Character
Last updated: January 14, 2026 Read in fullscreen view
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The fact that YouTube channels such as “Monkey Explained” (and many similar channels) use a monkey as a recurring character is not random. It carries multiple layers of meaning related to media strategy, psychology, and content design. This choice can be understood from the following perspectives:
1. The Monkey as a Metaphor for Modern Humans
In popular culture, monkeys often represent instinct, emotion, curiosity, and herd behavior - traits that are deeply human but rarely acknowledged.
Humans like to see themselves as rational, yet in reality they often:
- Act based on emotions
- Are easily manipulated by dopamine, social media, and consumerism
- Repeat unconscious habits
👉🏻 Using a monkey helps convey a message like:
“We may be smarter than monkeys, but are we really behaving any differently?”
2. Creating Psychological Distance to Speak Uncomfortable Truths
If the character were human, the content would more easily:
- Trigger defensiveness
- Feel like a personal attack
By using a monkey:
- Viewers don’t feel directly criticized
- Yet they still reflect on themselves
This is a classic projective metaphor technique - viewers project their own experiences and behaviors onto the character.
3. A Perfect Fit for “Explained”, Philosophical, and Social Commentary Content
Channels like Monkey Explained often discuss:
- Consumerism
- Capitalism
- Dopamine and social media addiction
- Work, meaning, and modern life
- Herd mentality
The monkey works well because it is:
- Evolutionarily close to humans
- A reminder that we are still driven by primitive instincts, even within modern systems
4. Branding and Channel Identity Strategy
From a media and branding perspective:
- 🧠 A recurring character → easier to remember, stronger recognition
- 🎭 No age, no gender → anyone can see themselves in it
- 🌍 Culturally universal → not tied to any specific country or identity
The monkey becomes a “philosophical mascot” for the entire channel.
5. Satire and Self-Irony
Monkeys often evoke a sense of:
- Clumsiness
- Naivety
- Absurdity
This allows the content to:
- Feel less preachy
- Avoid a “lecturing” tone
- Embrace social self-irony
The implicit message is:
6. Connection to a Broader Modern Content Trend
Many channels use animals as narrators or symbolic characters:
- Monkeys (instinct – society)
- Rats (experiments – systems)
- Wolves (survival instincts)
- Fish (trapped in systems)
This reflects a broader trend of dehumanizing characters to talk about deeply human issues.
In Summary
Choosing a monkey as a recurring character ultimately conveys this idea:
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