You may have seen the videos of a big ol' frog cutting some serious shapes around Auckland Central on TikTok and wondered: 'Why is this happening?'
Maybe you haven't seen any of them, but you've clicked on this article anyway and now you're also wondering: 'Why is this happening?!'
Either way, we have answers.
TikTok user @jiaxing9527 has been popping up all over Auckland CBD, dancing with people in popular spots like Britomart station and handing out frog balloons.
In one viral video, the frog is seen busting a move with a group of mates out on the town at the Viaduct, while some of them capture the weirdness on their own phones. AUT popped up in the comments, asking the frog to please come to campus đ" with another claiming "I would die if I saw the frog, they are so cool".
According to their TikTok account, the self-proclaimed "frog man" called Jiaxing claims they hope to "make friends" who can "teach them English". The fun doesnât stop there either, theyâre also looking for a "frog queen".â So cute!
This isnât the first time dancing frogs have been spotted online, with the trend originating in China around 2022. Chinese website Radii claims that a woman named Ms Tong wanted to "create happiness for everyone" by designing the costume as a form of escapism from everyday life.
There was also some drama regarding who owns the intellectual rights to the costume after some claimed the costume is a copy of âRed Toadâ, a character featured in a cartoon series.
Aucklanders are now keeping an eye out for the frog on their nights out, with commenters claiming that they "give the best frog hugs in town, 100% recommend".
If you spot this dancing amphibian on your travels, make sure to stop for a boogie and a yarn, and Frog man, if you're reading this - wanna swing by Edge HQ?
