Danica Davidson
February 22, 2025 
Chinese scientists recently found a new variant of deepwater tilefish, and it’s been officially dubbed Branchiostegus sanae in honor of Princess Mononoke character San. This is because the fish has markings on its face that look reminiscent San’s face paint.
There’s deeper meaning, too. Deepwater tilefish are sometimes called “ghost horsehead fish”’ in China, and “Mononoke” is about folkloric Japanese spirits, giving both a mysterious aura.
Lead author of the study Haochen Huang remarked, “Finding a new species in this group is a rare and fortunate event, especially one as distinctive as Branchiostegus sana. In Princess Mononoke, San is a young woman raised by wolves after being abandoned by her human parents. She sees herself as a part of the forest and fights to protect it. The film delves into the complex relationship between humans and nature, promoting a message of harmonious coexistence between the two: something we hope to echo through this naming.”
The South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhejiang University and Ocean University of China all had scientists involved in this study.
This isn’t the first time a newly discovered creature has been named after an anime character. Another example is crustacean “Apseudes ranma,” which was named after Ranma ½ lead character. This is because Ranma can switch between being male and female, and this crustacean has both male and female sexual parts.
GKIDS licensed Princess Mononoke and gave this description for it:
Princess Mononoke Plot
Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi, the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there. Featuring the voice talents of Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Billy Bob Thornton.
Source: BBC Wildlife
____
Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
Related Posts
