The highly anticipated Special Exhibition "Super Dangerous Creatures: Tackling the Real Powers of Organisms with Science" will be held at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo's Ueno Park from March 14 to June 14, 2026.
Exhibition Period and Venue
Period: March 14 (Saturday) to June 14 (Sunday), 2026
Venue: National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo, Ueno Park)
Packed with Highlights - Exhibition Content
1. First Public Display in Japan! World's Largest 6-Meter Saltwater Crocodile Replica "Lolong"
The saltwater crocodile known as "Lolong" was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the "world's largest crocodile in captivity" with astonishing measurements of 6.17 meters in length and 1,075 kg in weight. The individual data was scanned on-site in the Philippines, and faithfully reproduced as a life-size replica for display.
Experience the overwhelming massive body of the "world's largest crocodile" Lolong at the venue! The exhibition also features video demonstrations of the crocodile's "death roll" technique - a lethal attack where it bites onto part of its prey and rotates its massive body underwater to tear off chunks.
2. First Exhibition in Japan! Extremely Rare "Army Ant Queen" Specimen
Army ants are known for their ecology of moving in overwhelming swarms of tens of millions and devouring their prey. The "queen ant" who reigns at the center has been a "living legend" whose appearance has been extremely difficult to confirm even after years of investigation by domestic and international researchers.
However, Professor Munetoshi Maruyama of Kyushu University Museum, who supervises the insect exhibition for this show, and Taku Shimada, an "Ant Master" who has devoted his life to ant research for over 30 years, conducted a survey at the foot of Mount Kenya in Kenya, Africa. During filming for the popular TBS program Crazy Journey, they finally succeeded in encountering and photographing the "Army Ant Queen" deep in the nest protected by tens of millions of ants.
Measuring over 5 cm in length, with a black, glossy abdomen filled with eggs, she is said to lay thousands of eggs per day. With a lifespan extending nearly 30 years, she truly deserves to be called the "apex of ants."
This exhibition displays one of the world's few phantom queen ant specimens for the first time in Japan.
3. Analyzing the Power Secret of African Elephant Trunks with 3D Holograms
The exhibition features a full-body skeleton specimen of the African elephant, representative of the power fighter type and boasting a super-massive body.
The key to the African elephant's lethal technique is its trunk, which can reach 2 meters in length and weigh 150 kg. Using 3D holograms, the exhibition analyzes the structure of the trunk made entirely of muscle and approaches the secret of the tremendous power it generates.
4. Gathering of Venomous Creatures
Many organisms use poison to protect themselves from enemies. Poison serves as an effective weapon to prey on larger targets and to capture fast-escaping prey. In Area B Special Attack System "Venomous Type" of this exhibition, various organisms' poisons are explained, from insects to reptiles and even mammals.
Among these, focusing on snakes - the representative poison-bearing organisms - the exhibition scientifically analyzes the structure of venomous fangs, types of venom, and venom strength of species including King Cobras, Black Mambas, and Tiger Keelbacks.
5. 100°C High-Pressure Gas Spray! Bombardier Beetle
When stimulated, the Bombardier Beetle sprays gas from its rear. The beetle has a chamber in its abdomen that stores an aqueous solution, and when stimulated, it blasts out 100°C high-pressure gas.
What does the Bombardier Beetle's abdomen look like? The exhibition explains this with anatomical panels. Don't miss the video display verifying the power of a human-sized Bombardier Beetle's spray!
Abundant Original Merchandise and Collaboration Information Revealed
6. Introducing Some of the Original Merchandise!
Original merchandise sold at the special shop within the exhibition venue will be introduced.
*All prices include tax.
*The introduction images shown are all concepts. Designs may differ from actual products.
*Purchase quantity limits may be set for some products.
*Other merchandise information will be released sequentially on the official exhibition website or official SNS.
① Meticulously Crafted "Dangerous Creatures" Plushies!
The "dangerous creatures" displayed in this exhibition have become plushies! The supervisor's top pick, the "Bombardier Beetle" plushie reproduces the 100°C high-pressure gas "flatulence" attack with a squeaker in its rear. The "Blue-Ringed Octopus" carrying tetrodotoxin features a warning color design that reveals yellow and blue patterns (=rings) when stimulated externally. "Great White Shark" and "White Rhino" have a mechanism where they charge forward when pulled back and released, imagining their speed and power.
*Various original plushies will be sold sequentially at the special shop from March 14 (Saturday).
Original Plushie Bombardier Beetle 3,080 yen / Original Plushie Blue-Ringed Octopus 3,630 yen / Charging Rhino・Charging Shark each 1,760 yen
② [Limited Quantity/Sales Start April 7] Duel Masters Collaboration Card Sleeves!
A collaboration between this exhibition and "Duel Masters" (abbreviated as Duema) has been realized!
Original design collaboration card sleeves (42 cards included) featuring many popular creatures from Duema's history imagined from this exhibition's key visual will be sold from April 7 (Tuesday). Furthermore, customers who purchase Duema products at the special shop will receive a promotional card "Hyakki no Jaoukado" as a gift! Enjoy the "Dangerous Creatures Research Institute" together with Duema's "super dangerous creatures"!
(Left) Duel Masters × Special Exhibition "Super Dangerous Creatures" Collaboration Card Sleeve / (Right) Duel Masters × Special Exhibition "Super Dangerous Creatures" Collaboration Promotional Card "Hyakki no Jaoukado"
TM and ©2026 Wizards of the Coast/Shogakukan/WHC/ShoPro © TOMY
*Collaboration card sleeve sales and promotional card distribution will begin April 7 (Tuesday) or later. Not available at the special shop until April 5 (Sunday).
*Collaboration card sleeve sales limited to 2 per person. One promotional card will be given at the special shop register for every 880 yen purchase of Duema products. Purchase amount includes Duema-related products other than collaboration sleeves. Promotional card distribution limited to 2 per person. Details will be announced on POP displays within the special shop.
③ Original Merchandise Featuring Original Artwork by Two Popular Artists!
Original artwork created specifically for this exhibition by popular artists Yu Nagaba and Koichiro Takagi, both active domestically and internationally, will appear as collaboration merchandise at the special shop! Each artwork is planned to be developed in a wide lineup including T-shirts, keychains, and tote bags.
*Various artist collaboration merchandise will be sold at the special shop from March 14 (Saturday).
Yu Nagaba
Illustrator/Artist. Characterized by minimal line drawings that capture the features of people and other subjects, he is active in a wide range of fields including magazines, advertising, books, and apparel. From magazine covers to collaborations with domestic and international brands and companies, he continues to present across modern visual culture with expressions that are simple yet possess high visibility and familiarity.
Koichiro Takagi
An artist based in Tokyo. After graduating from university, he studied screen printing in San Francisco and then began his career as a painter in New York. After returning to Japan, he produces work across diverse techniques including painting, embroidery, and printmaking, with animals and anthropomorphized beings as his main motifs. He continues to present at exhibitions domestically and internationally with his unique worldview.
④ "B-SIDE LABEL" Original Illustration Merchandise Also in the Lineup!
"B-SIDE LABEL," hugely popular for its unique message and illustration stickers, has created all 6 types of art in their signature 2-head-tall style specifically for this exhibition! These arts will be developed as merchandise including waterproof/UV-treated stickers, pin badges, and tote bags.
*Planned to be sold sequentially at the special shop from March 14 (Saturday).
B-SIDE LABEL Stickers (all 6 types) each 330 yen ©B-SIDE LABEL
⑤ [Sales Start Planned for Late March] "Kamen Rider OOO" Collaboration Merchandise Also Available!
Collaboration with "Kamen Rider OOO," the 12th work in the Heisei Kamen Rider series broadcast from 2010 to 2011. Featuring the "Tatoba Combo" motif that transforms using "Hawk," "Tiger," and "Grasshopper" core medals in the series, original merchandise for this exhibition designed with the Golden Eagle (Order Accipitriformes, Family Accipitridae), Tiger, and Rice Grasshopper displayed in this exhibition, along with OOO's appearance, will be sold in multiple items!
*Planned to be sold at the special shop from late March onward.
Exhibition Structure
Journey Through the "Dangerous Creatures Research Institute" Consisting of Two Areas and Eight Laboratories
A forbidden research institute exploring the amazing abilities of dangerous creatures! The mechanisms of "finishing moves" including tremendous power, sharp fangs, deadly venom, and electric shocks are introduced through multifaceted methods, centering on the National Museum of Nature and Science's collection, including precious specimens from various locations, elaborate CG, educational models, and powerful videos.
Please experience the dynamic exhibition of dangerous creatures that stimulates intellectual curiosity toward the mystery and depth of life.
Advance Tickets On Sale Now!
For detailed ticket information, please visit the official exhibition website.
https://chokikenseibutsuten.jp/ticket/
[Advance Tickets] (Tax included) Sales Period: February 3, 2026 (Tuesday) 10:00 AM to March 13, 2026 (Friday) 11:59 PM
General/University Students: 2,100 yen
Elementary/Middle/High School Students: 500 yen
[Same-Day Tickets] (Tax included)
General/University Students: 2,300 yen
Elementary/Middle/High School Students: 600 yen
*Preschool children free.
*Persons with disability certificates and one accompanying caregiver free.
*Please present student ID or other certificates upon entry.
Special Ticket Information
Sales Period: February 3, 2026 (Tuesday) 10:00 AM to March 13, 2026 (Friday) 11:59 PM
① [Limited Quantity] Parent-Child Pair Ticket: 2,500 yen (tax included)
A pair ticket for parents and children to enjoy together. Set includes one "Advance Ticket General/University Student" and one "Advance Ticket Elementary/Middle/High School Student," saving 100 yen. Perfect for family outings during spring break or Golden Week.
[Sales Location] Official Online Ticket
② [Limited Quantity] Blue-Ringed Octopus Plushie Set Ticket: 5,500 yen (tax included)
From Area B Special Attack System "Venomous Type" Laboratory, the Blue-Ringed Octopus carrying tetrodotoxin as a plushie.
Ticket set includes one "Advance Ticket General/University Student" and one original exhibition Blue-Ringed Octopus plushie. Features a design reproducing the yellow and blue ring patterns (=rings) that appear when receiving external stimulation, saving 230 yen compared to purchasing the same product at the special shop.
[Sales Location] Seven Ticket
*Purchase limit of 1 ticket per person.
*Exchange at the special shop register counter within the special exhibition venue.
*"Original Plushie Blue-Ringed Octopus" planned to be sold at the special shop for 3,630 yen (tax included).
③ [Limited Quantity/Available from April 7] Duel Masters Collaboration Card Sleeve Set Ticket: 2,980 yen (tax included)
A collaboration between the Special Exhibition "Super Dangerous Creatures" and "Duel Masters" (abbreviated as Duema) has been realized! Set includes one "Advance Ticket General/University Student" (limited validity) available from April 7 (Tuesday), one original design collaboration card sleeve (42 cards included) featuring many popular creatures from Duema's history imagined from the exhibition key visual, and one promotional card "Hyakki no Jaoukado." Enjoy the "Dangerous Creatures Research Institute" together with Duema's "super dangerous creatures"!
[Sales Location] Asoview!
*Ticket and sleeve/card exchange voucher available from April 7 (Tuesday). Cannot be used for entry or exchange of sleeve/promotional card from March 14 (Saturday) to April 5 (Sunday).
*Purchase limit of 1 ticket per person.
*Exchange sleeves and cards at the special shop register counter within the special exhibition venue. Exchange only possible on the day of ticket use.
*"Duel Masters × Special Exhibition 'Super Dangerous Creatures' Collaboration Card Sleeve" planned to be sold at the special shop within the special exhibition venue from April 7 (Tuesday) for 880 yen (tax included). Conditions apply for promotional card "Hyakki no Jaoukado" distribution at the venue special shop. Please check the official exhibition website and X for details.
Akira Kawashima (Kirin) Appointed as Exhibition Ambassador and Audio Guide Narrator!
Exhibition Overview
Exhibition Name: Special Exhibition "Super Dangerous Creatures: Tackling the Real Powers of Organisms with Science"
Period: March 14 (Saturday) to June 14 (Sunday), 2026
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Entry until 4:30 PM)
Extended Hours: April 25 (Saturday) to May 6 (Wednesday, Holiday) open until 6:00 PM (Entry until 5:30 PM)
Closed: Mondays, May 7 (Thursday) *Open on March 30 (Monday), April 27 (Monday), May 4 (Monday, Holiday), June 8 (Monday)
Venue: National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo, Ueno Park)
Admission (Tax included): General/University Students 2,300 yen (2,100 yen), Elementary/Middle/High School Students 600 yen (500 yen) *(Prices in parentheses are advance tickets)
Organizers: National Museum of Nature and Science, TBS, TBS Growdia, Asahi Shimbun
Sponsors: Nozaki Printing & Paper Industries, Waseda Academy
Supporters: BS-TBS, TBS Radio
Inquiries: 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial), 03-5814-9898 (FAX)
Official Exhibition Website: https://chokikenseibutsuten.jp
Official X: @chokiken2026
Official Instagram: @chokiken2026
*Exhibition period, opening hours, etc. are subject to change.
