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Dondozo(JP) is a Water-type Pokémon in the franchise of the same name. It was introduced in the ninth generation. It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon. Dondozo interacts with Tatsugiri in Double Battles via its signature move, Order Up, and Tatsugiri's signature Ability, Commander.
Physiology and Behavior[]
Dondozo is a giant piscine Pokémon. Its body has three colors: light blue at the top; dark blue in the middle; and white belly, upper lip, and fins. It has a pair of pectoral fins and a large tail fin surrounded by two smaller fins. On top of its head is a ring of six frills arranged in a circle; the two rightmost frills on the head are much longer and end in flat tips, while the other four are shorter and rounded. It has three gills on either side of its body. Its face has a short protrusion resembling a nose, dark blue lips, a blue tongue, a pair of long barbels above its upper lip, and five barbels on its lower jaw, with one of them being longer and curled, located just below its lower lip.
Dondozo is a heavy eater. Although powerful, Dondozo is dull and not very good at hunting, so it teams up with Tatsugiri to catch prey. The Tatsugiri would bait their prey by playing dead, and then commands Dondozo to attack. Dondozo is loyal to Tatsugiri and acts as its subordinate, protecting it inside its mouth from enemies. Basculin is among the species Dondozo preys upon.
Dondozo is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Order Up.
A giant Dondozo, together with a giant Tatsugiri, are both known as the False Dragon Titan, one of the Titan Pokémon found in the Paldea region.
Appearances[]
Main Pokémon games[]
Dondozo and Tatsugiri are Titan Pokémon in Casseroya Lake.
Other Pokémon games[]
In the anime[]
Dondozo appeared in Challenge the World!, entering a Video Game Championships match in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet together with an Iron Bundle.
A Ground Tera Dondozo appeared in Turning the Tera Tide.
Origin & Inspiration[]
Dondozo seems to be based on a catfish, such the wels catfish that is native to Europe and was introduced to Spain. Dondozo may also be based on a sushi chef, considering its relationship with Tatsugiri and the frills on its head which resemble a bandana or headband commonly worn as part of a sushi chef's uniform. Dondozo's face also somewhat resembles that of a smooth-head blobfish.
Dondozo keeping Tatsugiri inside its mouth may be a reference to mouth-brooding, a parenting style performed by some species of catfish where the parent fish will keep their offspring safe by holding them inside their mouth.
Dondozo's low smarts and larger size compared to Tatsugiri, combined with their synergy together, seem to reference the common "Brains and Brawn" team-up trope in media. Tatsugiri acting as the boss supports this, as the "Brains" is most often the leader in these team-ups.
Dondozo may be a combination of don (Spanish for lord) and どうぞ dōzo (Japanese for "please (help yourself)"; typically said when offering something). Don also refers to a crime boss, which may allude to Dondozo's relationship with Tatsugiri, who acts as its consigliere. It may also derive from bozo, in reference to Dondozo's dimwitted nature.
Heyrusher may be a combination of へいらっしゃい e irasshai ("Come on in"; typically said by store attendants when greeting customers) and the agentive suffix ～者 -sha or -er. It may also involve hey (a friendly greeting).
In-game Information[]
Pokédex Entries[]
| Title | Entry |
|---|---|
| Ninth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Scarlet | This Pokémon is a glutton, but it’s bad at getting food. It teams up with a Tatsugiri to catch prey. |
| Pokémon Violet | It treats Tatsugiri like its boss and follows it loyally. Though powerful, Dondozo is apparently not very smart. |
Game Locations[]
| Title | Location(s) |
|---|---|
| Ninth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Scarlet | |
| Pokémon Violet | |
Base Stats[]
| HP | 150 |
| Attack | 100 |
| Defense | 115 |
| Sp. Attack | 65 |
| Sp. Defense | 65 |
| Speed | 35 |
| Total | 530 |
Moveset[]
Gallery[]
Renders[]
| Renders | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
Trivia[]
- Dondozo is the tallest Pokémon introduced in the ninth generation.
- Dondozo is the third tallest Pokémon, after Eternatus and Wailord. It is also the second tallest non-Legendary Pokémon after Wailord.
| Titan Pokémon | |
|---|---|
| Paldea | Klawf • Bombirdier • Orthworm • Great Tusk (Scarlet) • Iron Treads (Violet) • Dondozo and Tatsugiri |
| Kitakami | Okidogi • Munkidori • Fezandipiti |