With an exhibit like this, you might start thinking Pokémon are actually real!

Starting Friday May 22, the Field Museum in Chicago will be hosting a brand new exhibit called the "Pokémon Fossil Museum." The exhibit, making its debut outside of Japan for the first time, compares fossils from fossil Pokémon to real-life dinosaur counterparts and will run now until April, 2027.

According to the Field Museum’s website, "This one-of-a-kind experience brings together the worlds of Pokémon and paleontology, inviting visitors to compare fossil Pokémon like Tyrantrum and Archeops with real-world fossils—including SUE the T. rex."

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USA Today got an exclusive peek before the exhibit's opening and explained how the exhibit works. First of all, there are 30 different unique Pokémon fossil sculptures that fans can get up close with.

"To create a clear distinction between what's real and just for fun, the fossils are labeled red or blue. Red fossils are real fossils and blue are Pokémon. In addition to plaques for the real fossils, the exhibit features plaques for each of the Pokémon too, including correct pronunciation, height, weight, core types and fun facts," said Greta Cross for USA Today.

When initially broached about the idea, Field Museum Head of Exhibitions Jaap Hoogstraten, did not take the request seriously until he traveled to Japan to see the original exhibit for himself. 

"There's real science and lots of collections side by side to this major, global brand. People are paying as much attention to the science as they are to the Pokémon content," said Hoogstraten.

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We firmly stand behind a fandom that gets young fans interested in science. 

Looking to visit? Tickets for the exhibit can be purchased as an add-on to regular museum admission for $18. Purchase now on the Field Museum website.

Of course what would Pokémon be without its merch? Luckily for guests who can’t attend, items from the exclusive collaboration can be purchased online from the Pokémon Center website. For anyone attending in person, please don’t make it look like a Target.