History Main / EruditeOrangutan

A SisterTrope to GentleGorilla. Opposite of ManiacMonkeys and KillerGorilla.

This is TruthInTelevision, as orangutans have demonstrated considerable hallmarks of what we'd consider intelligence, from crafting and using tools, using plants as medicine, self-recognition in mirrors, and advanced problem-solving. In fact, they are believed to rival chimpanzees as the smartest non-human primates.

** [[Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes The]] [[Film/DawnOfThePlanetOfTheApes reboot]] [[Film/WarForThePlanetOfTheApes trilogy]] features Maurice, who's indeed quite intelligent even before being altered and is TheSmartGuy of the tribe, acting as Caesar's advisor.

* ''WesternAnimation/WildKratts'': Orangutans are the subject of one episode where the intelligence of them is on full display, such as a mother using plants to heal her baby and teach him what to and what not to eat. Another, a large male Martin nicknames Huge-O, borders on NearlyNormalAnimal and takes it UpToEleven, where after seeing the crew get sore and can't move (ItMakesSenseInContext), he tries to get the Kratts to get the plants and take them back to the crew, though his methods boil down to refusing to let them pass until they get a clue since he can't talk in any way. He later helps the brothers in stopping the bad guys from cutting down trees.

* PlayedForLaughs in Joel Haver's video "[[https://youtu.be/PugcxQYJGjs Lanky Kong listens to DK Rap for the first time]]." [[Franchise/DonkeyKong Lanky Kong]], an orangutan who is an inverted example in his home series, gets AdaptationalIntelligence here, acting more like a normal, reasonable person. He is deeply insulted that his section in "[[VideoGame/DonkeyKong64 The DK Rap]]" makes him look like an idiot while praising the other Kongs. Notably, he speaks perfect English, while Donkey Kong, a gorilla, speaks in ape sounds like all the Kongs do in the games. Lanky also mentions that he works in IT.

And then there are orangutans. Generally lacking the imposing, bluck-furred stature of gorillas or the comedic aspects of chimps, most fictional portrayals of orangutans instead focus on their intelligence. In many modern depictions, orangutans are shown as being highly intelligent and wise, having much knowledge of the world around them, both material and mystical. This was born and still exists in mythology of their native Sumatra and Borneo, which does revere orangutans as being such, to the point in some myths they're human ancestors. For those reasons, orangutans will also often be shown as intelligent by ''human'' standards.

The non-human great apes have various species-wide stereotypes associated with them. Gorillas are either [[KillerGorilla brutish thugs]] or, alternately, [[GentleGorilla gentle and harmless]]. Chimpanzees are often treated interchangeably with monkeys, with all that implies. Bonobos [[SeldomSeenSpecies rarely appear]], but when they do they are mainly known for their extreme sexual behavior ([[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer No seriously]], [[TruthInTelevision this is]] [[https://psmag.com/environment/bonobos-have-sex-with-everyone-are-awesome-may-hold-key-to-our-past-59956 well-observed]]).

* ''Film/TheJungleBook2016'': King Louie's[[note]]While here a ''Gigantopithecus'', is still modelled after an orangutan due to both being close related[[/note]] much more of a schemer here, able to manipulate Mowgli.

And then there are orangutans. Generally lacking the imposing, bluck-furred stature of gorillas or the comedic aspects of chimps, most fictional portrayals of orangutans instead focus on their intelligence. In many modern depictions, orangutans are shown as being highly intelligent and wise, having much knowledge of the world around them, both material and mystical. This was born and still exists in mythology of their native Sumatra and Borneo, which does revere orangutans as being such, to the point in some myths they're human ancestors. Unlike chimpanzees, which are also often portrayed as intelligent in fiction, they'll often be shown as calm and level-headed, rarely being a MadScientist or EvilGenius.

They'll also often be shown as intelligent by ''human'' standards. If a story features multiple species of apes or primates, orangutans will probably land the role of TheSmartGuy.

* ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes''

And then there are orangutans. Lacking the imposing stature of gorillas or the comedic aspects of chimps, most fictional portrayals of orangutans instead focus on their intelligence. In many modern depictions, orangutans are shown as being highly intelligent and wise, having much knowledge of the world around them, both material and mystical. This was born and still exists in mythology of their native Sumatra and Borneo, which does revere orangutans as being such, to the point in some myths they're human ancestors. Unlike chimpanzees, which are also often portrayed as intelligent in fiction, they'll often be shown as calm and level-headed, rarely being a MadScientist or EvilGenius.

This is TruthInTelevision, as orangutans have demonstrated considerable hallmarks of what we'd consider intelligence, from crafting and using tools, using plants as medicine, and advanced problem-solving. In fact, they are believed to rival chimpanzees as the smartest non-human primates.

* ''VideoGame/{{Pokemon}}'': Oranguru is based on an orangutan. It is also a psychic type (a type known for its intelligence) and is noted by the Pokedex to process extreme intelligence.

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* The roleplaying game ''[[https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/196062/Apes-Victorious Apes Victorious]]'' by Goblinoid Games, which is greatly inspired by the older parts of the ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' franchise, has the Orangutan as a class. In a variation, they are not the "scientist" class (which in this game is actually the Chimpanzee, obviously homaging Cornelius and Zira), but instead they are the politicians and clerics of Ape society (read: proficient at being ManipulativeBastard-types).
[[/folder]]

The non-human great apes have various species-wide stereotypes associated with them. Gorillas are either [[KillerGorilla brutish thugs]] or, alternately, [[GentleGorilla gentle and harmless]]. Chimpanzees are often treated interchangeably with monkeys, with [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys all that]] [[ManiacMonkeys implies]]. Bonobos [[SeldomSeenSpecies rarely appear]], but when they do they are mainly known for their extreme sexual behavior ([[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer No seriously]], [[TruthInTelevision this is]] [[https://psmag.com/environment/bonobos-have-sex-with-everyone-are-awesome-may-hold-key-to-our-past-59956 well-observed]]).

** [[Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes The]] [[Film/DawnOfThePlanetOfTheApes Reboot]] [[Film/WarForThePlanetOfTheApes reboot]] trilogy features Maurice, who's indeed quite intelligent even before being altered and is TheSmartGuy of the tribe, acting as Caesar's advisor.

* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited:''

[[folder: Puppet Shows]]

** There exists Gorilla City, a HiddenElfVillage of sorts inhabited by highly intelligent and technologically sophisticated gorillas who only want to be left alone and to live in peace. Grodd is the exception of them, wanting to conquer the world.
** If we're counting human brains in the bodies of gorillas, especially since his backstory isn't mentioned in the DCAU, we also have Ultra-Humanite, a highly intelligent and sophisticated lover of fine arts and who greatly respects intelligence and the pursuit of knowledge. He's basically what you'd get if [[Series/{{Frasier}} Dr. Frasier Crane]] was a terrorist ape. Though a criminal, he's largely not motivated by financial gain and tends to minimalize casualties such as electing to blow up a museum on Christmas when it was closed so he could destroy their modern art display ''without'' harming patrons or employees, turning on his fellow criminals in exchange for a donation to PBS in his name, and being willing to team up with Flash to not only repair a toy for orphans on Christmas, but to modify it from a raunchy rapper to one that politely tells the story of ''Literature/TheNutcracker''.
[[/folder]]

%%Let's try to expand these examples to suit this trope, shall we? Maybe reduce intelligence mentioned

And then there are Orangutans. Lacking the imposing stature of gorillas or the comedic aspects of chimps, most fictional portrayals of orangutans instead focus on their intelligence. In many modern depictions, orangutans are shown as being highly intelligent and wise, having much knowledge of the world around them, both material and mystical. This was born and still exists in mythology of their native Sumatra and Borneo, which does revere orangutans as being such, to the point in some myths they're human ancestors. Unlike chimpanzees, which are also often portrayed as intelligent in fiction, they'll often be shown as calm and level-headed, rarely being a MadScientist or EvilGenius.

** [[Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes The]] [[Film/DawnOfThePlanetOfTheApes Reboot]] [[Film/WarForThePlanetOfTheApes reboot]] trilogy features Maurice, who's indeed quite intelligent even before being altered and is TheSmartGuy of the tribe, acting as Ceaser's advisor.

[[folder:Films - Live-Action]]

SisterTrope to GentleGorilla. Opposite of ManiacMonkeys and KillerGorilla.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder: Film - Live-Action]]

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Web Animation]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]
* The ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' episode "A Clockwork Origin", Dr. Banjo, a hyper-intelligent orangutan who ironically believes in "Creaturism" a form of creationism, who debates with Professor Farnsworth about the origins of life and whether or not it came from evolution or creation by some higher power.

The non-human great apes have various species-wide stereotypes associated with them. Gorillas are either [[KillerGorilla brutish thugs]] or, alternately, [[GentleGorilla gentle and harmless]]. Chimpanzees are often treated interchangeably with monkeys, with [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys all that]] [[ManiacMonkeys implies]]. Bonobos [[SeldomSeenSpecies rarely appear]], but when they do they are mainly known for their extreme sexual behavior ([[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer No seriously]], [[https://psmag.com/environment/bonobos-have-sex-with-everyone-are-awesome-may-hold-key-to-our-past-59956 this is well-observed]]).

[[folder:Anime And Manga]]

%%Let's try to expand these examples to suit this trope, shall we? Maybe reduce intelligence mentioned

This is TruthInTelevision, as orangutans have demonstrated considerable hallmarks of what we'd consider intelligence, from crafting and using tools, using plants as medicine, and advanced problem solving. In fact, they are believed to rival chimpanzees as the smartest non-human primates.

* Forever from ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders'' is an orangutan who gained human-level intelligence along with a Stand in the form of an entire ship that he controls with his mind. He solves a Rubik's Cube in two minutes, and successfully pretends to be a normal animal to go beneath Team Joestar's notice. Forever is quite proud of his intelligence, and insulting it qualifies as his BerserkButton, so Jotaro exploits this to defeat the orangutan.

* ''VideoGame/{{Pokemon}}'': Oranguru is based off an orangutan. It is also a psychic type (a type known for its intelligence) and is noted by the Pokedex to process extreme intelligence.

* Forever in Jojos Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders is an orangutan who gained human-level intelligence along with a Stand in the form of an entire ship that he controls with his mind. He solves a Rubik's Cube in two minutes, and successfully pretends to be a normal animal to go beneath Team Joestar's notice. Forever is quite proud of his intelligence, and insulting it qualifies as his Berserk Button, so Jotaro exploits this to defeat the orangutan.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/orangutan1.JPG]]

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': The Librarian of the Unseen Library was turned into an orangutan. He's very intelligent to the point he can communicate just by looks, but '''[[BerserkButton do not]]''' call him a [[IAmNotWeasel monkey]].