Pokémon is both fun and educational, as proven by the franchise's latest collaboration with The National Museum of Nature and Science in Japan. The museum recently announced a new travelling Pokémon Fossil Exhibit, where attendees get to learn about the real-life prehistoric creatures that inspired some of the most beloved Pokémon characters. The "Pokémon Fossil Museum" will head to various museums across Japan over the course of the next year.
The Pokémon Company is celebrating 25 years of the famous franchise in 2021, making this the perfect year to take a look at the history of the fictional creatures and their real-life inspirations. As fans know, the Pokémon lineup has grown in the last two decades from 151 monsters to more than 800. Each new generation gives players new regions to explore and discover never-before-seen creatures. Many of these monsters possess similarities to real-life animals – some may be more recognizable than others. The Tyrunt and Tyrantrum line, for example, closely resemble a Tyrannosaurus. Although a less obvious resemblance, the Lileep and Cradily are said to be inspired by fossilized Sea Lillies.
The Pokémon Fossil Museum takes an in-depth look at Pokémon's many monsters and their prehistoric counterparts, right down to the skeletons. The exhibit even features an "Excavation Pikachu" dressed in an adorable paleontologist's outfit. Attendees can compare illustrations of Pokémon and real-life prehistoric animals, admire full-scale models of Pokémon skeletons, and take a look at some real and Pokémon fossils. "In this exhibition, you can compare 'Kaseki Pokemon' with 'fossils and paleontology' found in our world, discover similarities and differences, and have fun learning about paleontology," the official website reads.
The Pokémon Fossil Museum is expected to visit museums across Japan, starting with the Mikasa City Museum in Hokkaido from July 4, 2021 to September 20, 2021. In the fall, the exhibit will head to the Shimane Prefectural Sampei Nature Museum, followed by Tokyo's National Science Museum in Spring 2022. At this time, the tour is scheduled to end at the Toyohashi Museum of Natural History in Aichi in Summer 2022. However, it looks like more dates and locations may be added later.
This Pokémon paleontology exhibit sounds like an awesome adventure for Pokémon and history lovers alike, no matter the age. Incorporating the Pokémon franchise into educational materials is a great way for kids to gain valuable learning experiences in a fun and engaging way.