Deep-Sea Fish Honors Warrior Princess Inspired by Studio Ghibli

A newly discovered deep-sea fish, Branchiostegus sanae, pays homage to San, the warrior princess from the iconic anime film Princess Mononoke, due to its unique cheek stripes. Researchers from China confirm this rare find emphasizes the need for ecological conservation.

In an exciting development for marine biologists and anime fans alike, a newly identified deepwater fish has been named Branchiostegus sanae, taking inspiration from San, the fierce warrior princess from the beloved Studio Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke. This species was discovered by a team of Chinese researchers who were captivated by the fish's striking facial markings that resemble San's distinctive cheek stripes.

Princess Mononoke, featuring the story of a young woman raised by wolves and her battle against human encroachment on nature, achieved massive success, grossing over 19 billion yen (£100.4 million) in Japan following its release in 1997. The link between this new fish and the film serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between humanity and the environment.

The newly classified fish belongs to the category of deepwater tilefish, which are often found at remarkable ocean depths, sometimes reaching as far down as 600 meters below the surface. Genetic analysis conducted by experts from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang University, and Ocean University of China led to the classification of Branchiostegus sanae as a unique species.

The lead author of the study, Haochen Huang, elaborated on the significance of the naming: "San epitomizes a deep connection to nature, fighting for its protection. Through this naming, we aim to echo the film's important message of coexistence."

While deepwater tilefish are typically present in various seafood markets across East and Southeast Asia, the diversity within the Branchiostegidae family is quite limited, with only 31 species currently recognized. Identifying a new species is indeed a rare achievement, as only three new species within the Branchiostegus genus have been unveiled in the last 34 years.

To aid in ongoing research, specimens of Branchiostegus sanae have been carefully preserved within marine biological collections—the hope being that further studies might illuminate more about this remarkable fish and its ecological context.