Ginji Kusanagi

At the beginning of the story Ginji meets Minako Sasebo the girl of his dreams and is on the verge of going professional as a boxer only to die in a suspicious biking accident. Confronted by an angel who seems to be half cherub half Buddhist monk he tells Ginji that he can reunite with Minako but only if he lives out the natural life of another animal. When he remembers Minakos love for penguins he decides to be reincarnated as an Adelie Penguin. Once his penguin life naturally endsmdasha life he later learns which may last for up to twenty yearsmdashhe will be able to return to his old body and be with Minako.