Scientists have named a newly discovered ancient sawshark species after Chainsaw Man’s beloved character Pochita, blending pop culture and paleontology in a unique tribute.
The fossil, discovered in Chile’s Bahía Inglesa Formation in the Atacama Region, was detailed in a study published in Papers in Palaeontology. Researchers identified two previously unknown species, one of which was named Pochitaserra patriciacanalesae, honoring both the dog-sized Chainsaw Devil from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga and Chilean paleontologist Patricia Canales, who dedicated her career to marine fossil research before her passing in 2022.
Chainsaw Man immortalized in paleontology
According to researcher Martín Chávez Hoffmeister from the Universidad de Concepción, the decision to name the sawshark after Pochita was a way to connect scientific discovery with modern storytelling. “This combination seemed like a good way to connect palaeontology with popular culture,” Hoffmeister said.
Images shared in El Diario de Atacama and later amplified by anime fans online show fossilized remains of the prehistoric shark, which lived millions of years ago and likely used its elongated snout of jagged teeth to hunt prey, mirroring the chainsaw-like form that inspired the name.
Pochita, known in Chainsaw Man as the loyal companion of Denji, fuses with the protagonist to form the series’ half-human, half-chainsaw hero. The character’s mix of cuteness and brutality has made him one of anime’s most recognizable icons, and now, he’s part of scientific history.
A V for Vendetta Series Represents DC's Greatest Weapon in the Ongoing War Against Marvel