In a delightful fusion of science and pop culture, the anime sensation Chainsaw Man has cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon with a newly discovered shark species named after its endearing mascot, Pochita. This development underscores the anime’s widespread appeal and influence.

Dubbed Pochitaserra patriciacanalesae, this ancient shark species was unearthed in Chile’s Atacama region, a hotbed for fossil discoveries. The naming draws inspiration from two sources: “Pochitaserra” pays homage to the Chainsaw Devil, Pochita, who plays a crucial role in transforming Denji into Chainsaw Man. Meanwhile, “patriciacanalesae” honors the late Patricia Canales, a revered Chilean paleontologist whose contributions to the study of marine life have left a lasting impact. This dual tribute marries scientific achievement with contemporary cultural icons, creating a unique homage to both a dedicated scientist and a beloved fictional character.

The discovery first made headlines in the Chilean publication El Diario de Atacama. Conducted by a team of intrepid paleontologists at the English Bay Formation, the find revealed a sawshark bearing a remarkable likeness to its namesake from Chainsaw Man, characterized by its distinctive teeth and form. Illustrations of the Pochitaserra further emphasize this connection, depicting the shark with an orange hue reminiscent of Pochita’s own appearance.

Chainsaw Man’s Pochita Just Became Officially Immortalized Through Science

First reported in the Chilean newspaper El Diario de Atacama, the newly discovered Pochitaserra patriciacanalesae was found by a team of paleontologists working in the English Bay Formation in Chile. The shark is actually a kind of sawshark, whose teeth and shape do give it a striking resemblance to its Chainsaw Man namesake. Artistic renderings of the Pochitaserra show an orange-tinted skin that further resembles that of Pochita.

According to Dr. Martín Chávez Hoffmeister, the team named the shark after Pochita specifically because they “wanted to create a memorable scientific name that would also connect science with current culture.” The fact that Pochita would be synonymous with current culture shouldn’t be all that surprising, considering Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc was a major international box office hit that almost instantly became one of the top five highest-grossing anime films in America. It even dethroned big Hollywood films like Black Phone 2 and Springstine: Deliver Me From Nowhere to become the top film at the American box office on its opening weekend.

Chainsaw Man’s Pochita inspiring the name of a shark species is somewhat ironic considering the prominent role of Beam, the Shark-fiend, in Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. It’s doubly ironic because in Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto’s one-shot manga Look Back, the main characters, Kyomoyo and Fujino, collaborate on a fictional version of the Chainsaw Man manga titled “Shark Kick.”

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’s explosive debut further proves the viability of anime films to Hollywood after Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle primed global audiences to the idea a month prior. Reze Arc continues to do big numbers even a month after its initial Japan release on Sept. 19, but fans are already looking ahead to what’s next for the series. Thankfully, the Chainsaw Man manga has not lost its stride, with highly celebrated back-to-back chapter releases, alongside rumors spreading about a Chainsaw Man Season 3 announcement coming at this year’s Jump Festa. Either way, it’s clear the Chainsaw Man IP is more alive than ever, even as Pochita is now quite literally sleeping with the fishes.

Chainsaw Man Season 1 is streaming on Crunchyroll. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is currently showing in theaters everywhere. The original Chainsaw Man manga is available to read via Viz Media, Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump app.