How Punch Me Panda Changed

Punch Me Panda was designed to “relieve anger and stress.”  But when I started looking at his random YouTube videos, I noticed a change in the panda from November to the present. Let’s start with Video 1 and chart the changes. 

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Video 1. Brooklyn apartment:

The panda was invited to this man’s apartment to help him relieve stress. The panda is gladly treated like a talking punching bag and encourages the punching like a boxing coach. The puncher says “I feel so much better.” The panda appears to be happy with this.

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Video 2. Harlem street:

There has been a change from the previous video. The panda is no longer just a punching bag, but flexing at people like he wants a fight, but doing it in a nice way. Though egging them on, there is a joy to the panda. He is still inviting. He looks like he thinks he’s helping. After someone punches him he asks, “feel a little better?” He hops about like a bunny and often lightly taps the boxing gloves to his chest. People smile.

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Video 3. Subway:

The panda doesn’t take so much time to ask people how they are feeling anymore. He moves too fast. If someone doesn’t want to punch him, the panda no longer exchanges friendly banter. It’s about moving onto the next person as quickly as he can now. It’s more confrontational as if the panda wants to escalate things as quickly as possible. There’s cursing and yelping. There’s flat out taunting. The panda not only holds his ground, but looms over people in an intimidating way. Some look confused or even worried. He is no longer comforting, but can be hostile. He loudly beats his chest with the boxing gloves.

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Video 4. City Hall street:

The panda now actually appears to be getting angry when people don’t punch him. Angry! Which is strange if you recall the idea of Punch Me Panda in the beginning was for people to take their anger out on the panda and not vice versa. And when they do punch him, one punch is never enough. The panda always asks for “one more, one more!” He’s become needy and demanding.

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Video 5. Subway:

It almost looks like it’s not really about helping people anymore. The panda appears to have somewhere to go, but needs you to punch him first. Like he’s late for something, and you’re holding him up or he’s strung out and needs the punches. But like any drug addict, even when he gets what he wants, it doesn’t make him feel good anymore. Why did Punch Me Panda change like this?