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When science meets Pokémon

When science meets Pokémon

60-Second Science vor 5 Monaten

As Pokémon turns 30, we take a look at how the beloved Japanese kids’ franchise was inspired by—and has shaped—real-world science

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Curiosity about the natural world can start in unexpected places.
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre‑Louis talks
with paleontologist Arjan Mann and entomologist Spencer Monckton
about how Pokémon—the beloved Japanese franchise, which turned 30
this year—helped spark their interest in taxonomy and fossils. The
conversation explores how the fictional world of Pokémon mirrors
real scientific concepts, why pop culture and natural history shape
each other and how that inspiration has come full circle.
Recommended Reading: The Pokémon universe goes hard on ecology and
climate science Pokémon Fossil Museum. Special exhibition at the
Field Museum, Chicago, May 22, 2026–April 11, 2027 E-mail us at
sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or
ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new everyday:
subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science,
our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Kendra
Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi, Sushmita Pathak and Jeff DelViscio.
This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by
Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by
Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
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