Reminder: Infomation listed here is not absolute. This is just seal enthusists' attempts to catalog notable seals to the best of our ability. Not all seals listed on the Seal of the Year contest are listed here.
If you notice any information is innacurate, please send us a message via email or tumblr ask box and we'll get to correcting it right away!
Seal Superstars
Niko from Toba Aquarium
Name Meaning Smile/Smiley
Age 5
D.O.B. 2/22/2020
Gender Male
Species Baikal Seal Pusa sibirica
Residence Toba Aquarium, Toba City, Japan
Niko the Bikal Seal was born in Febuary of 2020, during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, his keepers named him 'Smiley' in order to encourage others to keep smiling during lockdown. Ironically, during his infancy, he was anything but smiley. Having not quite grown into his adult face, he looked quite miserable. This gained him a considerable amount of press and attention all over the world, even becoming the subject of memes.
He's since grown into a very handsome lad, and has fan following all his own that has gained him two back to back seal of the year awards!
Hiyori from Azarashi Sea Paradise
Name Meaning She was named Hiyori which roughly means "clear day" because she was rescued on a bright, sunny day.
Age 11
D.O.B. Unknown, rescued May 2014
Gender Female
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Mombetsu City, Japan
Hiyori, just like Kyoro, resides at Seals Sea Paradise in Monbetsu. Hiyori generally has a very mellow, polite and determined demeanor and is quite an outgoing seal who loves to impress the trainers with her various tricks, perhaps the most famous of which is known as "Gyuu", where her head pulls back into her body, making her neck disappear. Hiyori also loves the snow and generally gets very excited whenever snow falls around the Monbetsu area.
Kyoro from Azarashi Sea Paradise
Name Meaning The onomatepoiea kyokyo which means "to look around restlessly"
Age 12
D.O.B. May 2013
Gender Female
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Mombetsu City, Japan
Kyoro is one of the 2 seals who resides at the Seals Sea Paradise in Monbetsu along with Agu and Hiyori. She is by far the shiest seal out of the three and the trainers often like to say that Kyoro "goes at her own pace" when it comes to tricks. Despite this, Kyoro has gradually come out of her shell ever since she arrived at Sea Paradise.
Agu from Azarashi Sea Paradise
Name Meaning The onomatopoeia for biting or nibbling
Age 37
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Male
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Mombetsu City, Japan
Agu is a 37 year old male spotted seal who used to live as an ambassador animal at Azarashi Sea Paradise in Hokkaido, Japan. Due to his deteroritating eye condition and advanced age, he has moved next door to the Tokkari Center where he can have more privacy and closer medical care in his retirement. His daily life at Seals Sea Paradise has been heavily documented on his twitter account AND a new youtube account! His signature skill is his airplane pose, which he is very good at.
Yuki from Osaka Kaiyukan
Name Meaning Snow
Age 16 (?)
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Female
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida
Residence Osaka, Japan
Yuki is an adorable and round ringed seal exhibiting at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Osaka, Japan. She went viral for being extremely round, enhanced by how she pulls her neck in to keep warm. People often compare her round appearance to that of a steamed bun, mochi rice cake or a scoop of ice cream. In 2019, a stuffed animal was produced in her image, which became extremely popular!
Mizore from Osaka Kaiyukan
Name Meaning Sleet
D.O.B. 4/1/2021
Gender Male
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida
Residence Osaka, Japan
Mizore was a seal born at the Osaka Kaiyukan on April 1st, 2021. He was an April Fool's baby! But his birth was complicated as he was born medically fragile with hypothermia and low blood sugar. His mother did not attempt care, so after 15 minutes he was taken by aquarium staff and given medical attention. He was raised by Kaiyukan staff and grew up healthy and happy, entertaining visitors with his silly antics and playful attitude. He was transfered to Otaru Aquarium in November of 2023 and died 6 months later in June of 2024. One of the brightest stars of the seal world, we'll miss you every day Mizore!
Arare from Osaka Kaiyukan
Name Meaning Snow pellet
Age 19 (?)
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Female
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida
Residence Osaka, Japan
A female ringed seal, she's gained a large fan following for her extremely adorable and kind smile as she watches like an angel from the aquarium's viewing window. She's the mother of Mizore, but was unable to nurse him due to a problematic birth where her pup was rushed to emergency treatment. She reunited with him later, once he was old enough to be on exibit. Like Yuki, Arale also has a popular cushion modeled after her.
Cloudberry from Seal Rescue Ireland
Name Meaning Cloudberry is a plant, as all the pups of the 2020 season were named after plants
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Female
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida
Residence Hopefully back in the arctic!
The first ever ringed seal spotted in Ireland, she was rescued by SRE as a pup and taken into their facility. Princess Cloudberry got the nickname Princess by throwing temper tantrums and intentionally splashing anyone who came into her space. Her cheeky personality hidden behind her sweet face won her a ton of fans all over the world. She was released back into the wild in April of 2020. We're all positive she's queen of the arctic by now!
Yo-chan from Tokkari Center
Name Meaning Sunny
Age 14 (?)
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Female
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida
Residence Tokkari Center, Mombetsu City, Japan
The "idol" of Tokkari Center, Yo-chan is a spicy gal who has a habit of snorting and slapping herself defensively at everyone. Despite (or because of!) her attitude, she's #2 in popularity at Tokkari Center. Her round and adorable appearance has a habit of charming everyone regardless. In 2025 she had a baby named Tsuki, who quickly became well-known for being identical to her mother!
Kroshik from The Baltic Ringed Seals Foundation
Name Meaning Little crumb
Age9
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Male
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida ladogensis
Residence St. Petersburg, Russia
Kroshik is a male Ladoga Ringed Seal residing at the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Center in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was rescued as a pup after having been severely frostbitten. While he was rehabilitated and learned to fish for himself, when he was released into the wild he refused to stay wild and returned multiple times! After multiple attempts at release, Kroshik's willpower won out and the conservation center is now his home. He's notable for his exquisite taste, only eating the freshest pink salmon.
Schisslik from The Baltic Ringed Seals Foundation
Name Meaning Short for Shlisselburg, a town on Lake Ladoga.
Age 6
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Male
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida ladogensis
Residence St. Petersburg, Russia
Another Ladoga Ringed Seal, unlike Kroshik, he is rowdy and underfoot, often chasing and biting his older brother. Since the Marine Mammal Research Center was not meant for permanent keeping of seals (Kroshik is the exception), other arrangements are being made.
Crybaby Seal from The Wild
Name Meaning He was being a crybaby
Age15 (?)
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Unknown
Species Weddell Seal Leptonychotes weddellii
Residence Antarctica
The seal, the myth, the legend. A wild Weddell seal pup caught on video by researcher Jesse DeVote crying about having to go into the cold Antarctic waters for the first time. His crybaby antics were heard around the world. What else is there to say? Well, except for "EGG!"
Ponsuke from Tokkari Center
Name Meaning Pon is an onomatopoeia for something being struck like a drum, and -suke is a typical ending for a boy's name in japanese
Age7
D.O.B. April of 2016
Gender Male
Species Ringed Seal Pusa hispida
Residence Mombetsu City, Japan
Ponsuke was a ringed seal living at the Tokkari Center in eastern Hokkaido. Charming with a kind face and big babydoll eyes, he was a popular and beloved member of Tokkari Center. Sadly, he passed away in April of 2023, at only 7 years old due to an unknown heart condition. Showing to how beloved he was, the whole internet mourned his passing.
Meme-chan from Tokkari Center
Name Meaning Meme is a cutsey and syllabic name, but me prounced like the kanji for Eye.
Age15
D.O.B. April of 2010
Gender Female
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Mombetsu City, Japan
A permanent Tokkari Center resident, Meme-chan is identifiable due to her missing eye. But this doesn't stop her playing around and being silly. Seals aren't as dependent on sight as other mammals, and gets along great with her keepers and the other seals at the center.
Ray from The Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Name Meaning I assume because he was a ray of sunshine
Age22
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Male
Species Gray Seal Halichoerus grypus
Residence Cornwall, England
Ray is a gray seal that lived at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. He was fully blind seal, but that didn't stop him from being energetic and friendly! He loved spending summer days by playing with sprinklers and splashing water with his flippers.
Fukuin (AKA Gospel-chan) from Ise Sea Paradise
Name Meaning Gospel
Age2
D.O.B. 4/16/2023
Gender Female
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Ise, Japan
Fukuin is from the Ise Sea Paradise. She was born in 2023 and has become very popular due to her cute behavior and ability to sing!
Mochimochi from Tobu Zoological Park
Name MeaningSquishy like mochi
Age3
D.O.B. 3/5/2022
Gender Female
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Tobu Zoological Park, Miyashiro, Japan
Mochimochi is a seal in Tobu Zoological Park. She has cute dark markings on her eyes that are shaped like a heart! As a baby, she went viral for shedding fur like a fried shrimp; she even got a plushie made during that molting stage. She also frequently shows off her amazing soccer skills. She'll make a goal into your heart!
Shoebert from The Wild
Name MeaningFrom Shoe pond, the pond he used to live in
Age6
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Male
Species Gray Seal Phoca largha
Residence The Atlantic Ocean
Shoebert is a gray seal that was supposed to be captured and rescued but kept running away. However, on September 23rd, 2022, he left Shoe pond and embarked on a long journey, finally turning himself in to the local police department. He was rescued and sent to Mystic Aquarium to be checked before being released back into the wild.
Onpu from GAO Aquarium
Name MeaningMusic note
Age3
D.O.B. 3/19/22
Gender Female
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Oga, Japan
Onpu is a spotted seal born at GAO Aquarium. Although she was born weak, she was able to become an adorable, healthy seal due to the care of the aquarium faculty. Recently, a picture was uploaded where she enjoys doing a “helicopter pose” by swimming upright and flapping her hind legs. She also has a little brother named Turbo!
Turbo from GAO Aquarium
Name MeaningEnergetic like a turbo engine, also to match with his older brother Jet
Age2
D.O.B. 4/15/23
Gender Male
Species Spotted Seal Phoca largha
Residence Oga, Japan
Turbo is a spotted seal in GAO Aquarium, and was born in April of 2023. He was called "prince" before he was given his name. He is a feisty and energetic pup and sometimes throws tantrums, making silly noises. He quickly got popular because of his cute and silly behavior.
Tsuki from Tokkari Center
Name Meaning Moon in Japanese, as her mother's name means the sun
Age 0 (almost 1!)
D.O.B. 3/21/25
Gender Female
Species Ringed Seal, Pusa hispida
Residence Tokkari Center Mombetsu City, Japan
Tsuki, called Yo-ko or Chibi-chan before being named, is Yo-chan's daughter born in 2025. She immediately gained popularity on social media for her fried shrimp and fluffy eyebrow looks as a baby. She is also exactly like her mother, throwing tantrums, slapping, and making silly noises!
Hanamaru from Tobu Zoo
Name Meaning A drawing of a flower representing a perfect score on a test in Japanese elementary schools
Age 1
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Male
Species Spotted Seal, Phoca largha
Residence Tobu Zoological Park, Miyashiro, Japan
Hanamaru is Mochimochi's younger brother, Poplar's second pup. He is known for his sweet, relaxed, and peaceful personality. Hanamaru is often found playing soccer or taking photos with his sister.
Shibuki from Shinagawa Aquarium
Name Meaning Japanese for "splash," her name was based on her parents' names, Hoshi and Fubuki.
Age 1
D.O.B. 2/20/2024
Gender Male
Species Harbor Seal, Phoca vitulina
Residence Shinagawa Aquarium, Shinagawa City, Japan
Shibuki, formerly known as Fubukiko, is a baby seal born between Hoshi and Fubuki. He is known for being a playful and sometimes rebellious little seal.
Mashiro from Tokkari Center
Name Meaning Japanese for "pure white"
Age Unknown
D.O.B. Unknown
Gender Male
Species Ringed Seal, Pusa hispida
Residence Tokkari Center, Mombetsu City, Japan
Mashiro was found near Tokkari center around December of 2024. From then on, he is being taken care of at the center and being a shy, playful seal!
Residence Umitamago aquarium, Beppu, Kyushu, Japan
Potechi is a grey seal residing in Umitamago aquarium. He is a polite, gentle seal, always making funny faces at the visitors!
Minor Sealebrities
These don't have enough documentation for a full profile, but they're still listed here, along with what we know about them.
Daifuku (window baby) from Aquamarine Fukushima
Daufuku, most commonly known as the window baby, went viral on the internet for observing visitors through a round window in the exhibit at Aquamarine Fukushima! Not to be confused with Daifuku the sesame puppy from Aquas Shimane.
A baikal seal at Hakone Aquarium he's famous for his hot spring trick, where he holds a bucket and has a towel on his head, making it look like he's ready for a bath.
Roland from Berlin Zoo
A 4000 pound heavyweight of an elephant seal, he was a beloved resident of the Berlin Zoo during the 1920s. He was taxidermied after his death in the 1940s, but it was destroyed during World War II. However, a bronze cast of his face, including his massive trunk, lives on.
Gaia from the Denmark Maritime Museum
The world's first recorded hybrid of a Gray Seal and a Harbor Seal born on Feb. 9, 2023 at Denmark's Fishery and Maritime Museum. Her mother is a Gray Seal named Else and her father is a Harbor Seal named Arn. She's truly one of a kind, and is friendly and curious and loves to look at visitors through the aquarium window.
Teun is a California Sea Lion in the Marine Science center. He has a half-brother named Eric, whom he loves spending time with. Teun has a calm personality with a hint of mischief, for he loves playing with anything he can find! He is currently working on an experiment for facial recognition.
Hanako is a female spotted seal at Okhotsk Tokkari Center. She is renowned for her chatty nature, and her unique vocalizations of “aw-wa-wa-wa.” She is around 34 years old. Just like her name suggests, she’s as beautiful as a flower, will she be able to be your seal of the year?
Scarlett the sea lion is a particularly adorable sea lion who was born at the Georgia Aquarium in 2017, but definitely made a splash on social media during the pandemic as people tuned into the Georgia Aquarium's Sea Lion live feed, people love her adorable antics!
Named after "Where's Wally?" a popular children's book, he was first sighted in March in Ireland, Wally is theorized to have accidentally fallen asleep on an ice flow and arrived in Europe. After arriving however, he went on what seemed to be a continental tour, wreaking havoc and capsizing boats as far away as France and Spain before last being seen in Iceland, apparently on his way home. Hopefully he enjoyed his vacation, but this was only a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
A friendly harbor seal from Oregon Coast Aquarium, who just turned 50 years old! She’s now one of the oldest seals in captivity at double the lifespan of a seal. A true super senior!
A harbor seal from the eastern United States who lived from 1971-1985. Hoover the Talking Seal was rescued by a civilian who kept him as a pup in his bathtub. The 70s were wild, but that's where he learned how to say "Come're" and "get over here!" in a distinctive accent. When he got too big to take care of, his rescuers gave him to the New England Aquarium to live permanently. He even had children, but none of them have learned to talk like he did.
A juvenile elephant seal from Tasmania. Known for sitting on and sometimes wrecking benches and other public infrastructure. Recently made news for stopping a woman from going to work by sleeping under her car. He is often photographed or drawn with an orange traffic cone.
Jet is a seal that was born at the GAO Aquarium, but due to the aquarium’s plans to trade him to another aquarium, he is currently living in Kinosaki Marine World. He's the older brother of Turbo. He was off exibit due to an eye injury this year, but made a full recovery!
A baby seal rehabilitated by Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen for an infected eye. Slaatje's eye had to be removed but he was able to be released to the Wadden Sea in October 2023.
Daikoshioka from Tokkari Center
A resident spotted seal of Tokkari Center. Known for his dry fur, sweet face, raggedy whiskers, and airplane pose.
Satsuki from Muroran Aquarium
A black-coated harbor seal from Muroran Aquarium in Hokkaido. Known for her bucket poses, waving, and sticking her tongue out.
Pise from Otaru Aquarium
One of the arctic ringed seals from Otaru Aquarium in Hokkaido. Known for flattening herself out like a pancake beside the pool to sleep.
Lulu from Otaru Aquarium
The other female ringed seal from Otaru Aquarium. Known for her tea poses and vivid facial expressions.
Moya from Osaka Kaiyukan
A ringed seal from Kaiyukan. Mizore's father and Arare's mate. Known for his gasoline face, banana/airplane pose, and being in the backyard of Kaiyukan while Mizore was there.
Macaroni from Toba Aquarium
An older female baikal seal from Toba Aquarium. One of Niko's kin. Known for her roundness, her chill demeanor, and her excellent name.
Poplar from Tobu Zoo
A spotted seal at Tobu Zoo. Mochimochi’s mother and fellow performer in the Tobu Zoo seal show. Frequently scuffles with Mochimochi’s father, Arashi. She gave birth to Mochimochi’s little brother, Hanamaru, in 2024.
Natasha from Toba Aquarium
At over 40 years old, the eldest baikal seal in captivity. A member of the Niko clan at Toba Aquarium.
Lychee from Toba Aquarium
Lychee is a female baikal seal, also residing in Toba Aquarium alongside the other baikal seals of the Niko clan.
We have no affiliation with any of the zoos, aquariums, or rescue organizations listed here. This is just a fansite run by seal enthusiasts. Information listed here is not absolute, please contact us if we need to know about any corrections and additions.
Seal of the Year 2025 
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