From manga to marine fossil: Prehistoric shark named after Chainsaw Man’s Pochita

Pochita from Chainsaw Man is a mysterious yet adorable character who became Denji's source of power and turned him into the Chainsaw Man we love. Recently, it has come to light that this fan-favorite character has inspired a fusion between science and pop culture. According to the news, a newly discovered prehistoric shark species has been named Pochitaserra patriciacanalesae. This name was chosen to honor both the fan-favorite Pochita and the popular Chilean paleontologist Patricia Canales, who dedicated her life to studying ancient marine fossils.

Additionally, this discovery was first published in a British scientific journal and was made in the Bahía Inglesa Formation of Chile’s Atacama Region. It is a site renowned for its marine fossil deposits. This shark is recorded to belong to the sawshark family, which is characterized by being predators with long blade-like snouts lined with teeth.

This appearance gives the shark a chainsaw-esque look. The researcher immediately made the connection with Pochita. Even the lead researchers explained that the name was chosen to connect science with modern pop culture. This has created a bridge between paleontology and anime fandom. The first half of the name, “Pochitaserra,” directly references Pochita, while the latter half, “patriciacanalesae,” honors Canales’ contributions to Chilean paleontology.

Chainsaw Man’s cultural reach goes global

This is the first time that the Chainsaw Man franchise has become part of something larger than just being a popular anime/manga series. The show has gained popularity around the world with the release of the Chainsaw Man Reze Movie arc. This film has not only done well at the box office, but fans who watched it have nothing but praise for it.

With this kind of reach just by releasing a movie, it makes sense why researchers were also inspired by Chainsaw Man. In the story, Pochita is shown to be a cute yet extremely deadly creature, capturing the same paradox that defines the ancient predator. The fact that a prehistoric shark now bears his name is proof of how deeply the character has resonated with fans and creators across the globe.

A tribute beyond fiction

Beyond the anime connection, the shark’s name carries deep scientific and emotional significance. Patricia Canales, the Chilean paleontologist honored in the second half of the name, passed away in 2022 after decades of research in marine fossil evolution. She was respected immensely by her coworkers, who described her as a passionate scientist devoted to uncovering Chile’s prehistoric past. By merging her name with that of an adorable icon of Chainsaw Man, the research team hopes to ensure that her contributions are not forgotten.

Pochita’s legacy lives on

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Pochita was initially introduced as a Devil who was almost about to die. He was found by Denji (the protagonist), who ensured that he got a chance to live. Pochita then decided to live with Denji, and both of them, despite living in extremely harsh conditions, never left each other's side. Even when Denji only had a piece of bread to eat, he would share it with his companion.

Eventually, the two formed an inseparable bond. One day, in an unfortunate event, Denji was about to lose his life. That is when Pochita fused with him, making him half-human and half-friend, creating the Chainsaw Man. This moment shows that even Pochita cared deeply for Denji. Despite being a Devil feared by others, Pochita is defined by his empathy, self-sacrifice, and pure-hearted devotion to Denji’s dreams.

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