A fascinating Japan's Pokémon Fossil Tour, first announced back in April 2021, allows fans to examine and study these dinosaur-inspired Pokémon and their fantastic anatomy.
When it first began in 1996, the Pokémon franchise included 151 different monsters for players to encounter, battle and hopefully add to their ever-evolving collection. This number continues to swell with each new generation, as new games introuce additional to the roster of 905 officially-recognized Pokémon. The unique designs and abilities of each collectible creature are a major part of the franchise's appeal, and The Pokémon Company pulling inspiration from various sources like real-world plants, animals and geography. Some notable designs are inspired by prehistoric creatures, with the Kalos region Pokémon Tyrantrum being a notable example of a monster inspired by fossils.
As reported by Game Rant, the Pokémon Fossil Museum allows fans to directly compare dinosaur Pokémon to their real-life counterparts. The touring exhibit is currently traveling throughout Japan, with the showcase recently reaching Tokyo as its third destination. Images shared by InternetMuseum on Twitter give a glimpse inside the monster museum, which places Pokémon skeletons side-by-side with their real-world inspirations for comparison. The displays include Aerodactly, which is inspired by the flying Pterodactyl, and the adorable Tyrannosaurus Rex-inspired Tyrunt. The exhibit reportedly uses these beloved creatures to teach visitors about excavation and archaeology, making the experience both fun and educational.
Reviving ancient dinosaurs is an undeniably awesome concept, having led to the massive success of the Jurassic Park franchise, and many Pokémon help bring that fantasy to life. Aerodactly, Tyrunt, and even Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia take inspiration from ancient creatures in order to demonstrate ancient and powerful qualities. Dialga and Palkia are said to represent the very concepts of time and space, making them primordial beings similar to the dinosaurs of the real world. They also share ties with Arceus, the Alpha Pokémon who may actually be the creator of the entire Pokémon universe, and this timelessness is demonstrated in the dinosaur-inspired designs of the beings.
The Pokémon franchise takes inspiration from a variety of sources when crafting its pocket monsters, ensuring a wide variety of different designs. Dinosaur-inspired creatures are always particularly intimidating, and gamers can now appreciate these designs up close thanks to the Pokémon Fossil Museum. The exhibit is moving across Japan, allowing fans across the country to appreciate realistic Pokémon fossils and their real-life counterparts.
Sources: Game Rant, InternetMuseum/Twitter
