Newly discovered prehistoric shark named after beloved anime character
The scientists saw an opportunity to do something hilarious and cute, and took it.
Those of us who move outside of scientific circles might think that researchers and scientists are a serious bunch.
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However, just like the rest of us, they have other interests outside of their work.
They're geeks and fans just like us.
So if you had a chance to name something cool, like a newly discovered species, wouldn't you also use it as an opportunity to name it after your favourite movie, book or series character?
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According to a study published in the British scientific journal Papers in Palaeontology, that's exactly what a group of scientists have done.
Researchers have identified two new fossil species, found in Chile’s Bahía Inglesa Formation, located in the Atacama Region.
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One of the fossils is of a prehistoric sawshark species, which has been named after a manga and anime character with a very similar appearance.
Officially named Pochitaserra patriciacanalesae, the first part is inspired by Pochita, the dog-sized chainsaw devil from 'Chainsaw Man'.
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The second part of the name honours Patricia Canales, a Chilean palaeontologist who passed away in 2022 and devoted her career to studying marine fossils and ancient marine evolution in Chile.
The discovery was first reported in a local newspaper, El Diario de Atacama, before fans caught wind of the news.
Thus, the researchers sought to merge scientific recognition with cultural symbolism in naming the species, creating a tribute both to a distinguished Chilean palaeontologist and to a globally recognised pop culture figure.
i can’t believe i had to find out through facebook that chilean paleontologists named a fossil species of sawshark after pochita pic.twitter.com/ZmW9KIa8IH
— maggie (@clubmitaka) November 9, 2025
If you don't know about Pochita and 'Chainsaw Man': "Pochita is one of the most beloved characters in Chainsaw Man. In Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga, he is the Chainsaw Devil who fuses with the protagonist Denji, granting him the ability to transform into the half-human, half-chainsaw hybrid that defines the series. Despite his violent nature in battle, Pochita’s loyal and affectionate bond with Denji is one of the biggest emotional moments of the story."
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Image: @clubmitaka/X