Ancient sawshark fossil named after Chainsaw Man’s Pochita discovered in Chile

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Researchers have discovered a new species of ancient sawshark and named it after Pochita, a popular character from the manga and anime series Chainsaw Man. This combines the worlds of paleontology and pop culture in a special homage.

A newly discovered fossil from the Bahía Inglesa Formation in Chile’s Atacama Region is described in a recent study published in Papers in Palaeontology. Researchers identified two new species, and one was named Pochitaserra patriciacanalesae. This name is a tribute to both Pochita, a character from the manga Chainsaw Man, and Patricia Canales, a Chilean paleontologist who spent her career studying marine fossils and passed away in 2022.

Paleontologist Patricia Canales pictured with the fossil named after Pochita

Chainsaw Man immortalized in paleontology

Martín Chávez Hoffmeister, a researcher at the Universidad de Concepción, explained that naming the sawshark after Pochita was intended to bridge the gap between scientific research and contemporary narratives. He stated, “It felt like a great way to link paleontology with what’s popular right now.”

Pictures published in El Diario de Atacama and widely shared by anime fans reveal the fossilized remains of an ancient shark. This shark lived millions of years ago and probably used its long, tooth-filled snout to catch prey – a feature that resembles a chainsaw, which is how it got its nickname.

Pochita, Denji’s faithful friend in Chainsaw Man, actually becomes part of Denji himself, creating the series’ unique hero who is both human and chainsaw. Pochita’s charming but fierce personality has made him a popular anime character, and now he’s even been recognized in the world of science.

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2025-11-11 23:48