Tatsugiri

Tatsugiri
Dondozo
978
Annihilape
Ability	Commander Storm Drain (Hidden)
Egg group	Water 2
First game	Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022)
Creator	Game Freak

Tatsugiri<sup>(JPJapanese: シャリタツ

Romaji: Syaritatsu)</sup> is a Dragon/Water-type Pokémon in the franchise of the same name. It was introduced in the ninth generation. While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, it has three different forms: Curly Form, Droopy Form, and Stretchy Form. Tatsugiri interacts with Dondozo in Double Battles via its signature Ability, Commander, and Dondozo's signature move, Order Up.

Physiology and Behavior

Tatsugiri is a small piscine dragon Pokémon that comes in three forms. All forms share the same basic physiology, with two large eyes, long pectoral fins, a wavy dorsal fin, and a split tail fin. All forms also have a white throat sac, which resembles a bed of rice when inflated; Tatsugiri inflates its throat sac to camouflage itself. The major difference between each form of Tatsugiri is its colors and the poses it makes. Curly Form Tatsugiri is orange with darker orange splotches all over its body and a white underbelly, and it often assumes an upcurled stance. Droopy Form Tatsugiri is mostly pink, with white colorations on its belly and fins; true to its name, it tends to droop on its throat sac. Stretchy Form Tatsugiri is a solid yellow, except for its white throat sac; it assumes a straight, horizontal pose. It is said that Tatsugiri's various forms are an adaptation to suit the preferences of its prey.

Although relatively weak, Tatsugiri is one of the most intelligent dragon Pokémon. It baits prey such as bird Pokémon by playing dead. When its prey approaches, Tatsugiri then commands its partner, Dondozo, to attack. The Dondozo follows the orders of its Tatsugiri partner loyally, and provides the Tatsugiri protection and shelter with its large mouth, in exchange for a greater chance at catching prey.

Tatsugiri is the only known Pokémon that can have Commander as an Ability.

A giant Tatsugiri, together with a giant Dondozo, are both known as the False Dragon Titan, one of the Titan Pokémon found in the Paldea region.

Appearances

Main Pokémon games

Tatsugiri, alongside Dondozo are one of the Titan Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet.

Origin & Inspiration

Tatsugiri seems to be based on sushi, specifically the nigirizushi (a type of sushi shaped by hands, instead of rolled): Curly Form resembles a shrimp nigiri, Droopy Form resembles a tuna nigiri, and Stretchy Form resembles an egg or urchin nigiri. Likewise, Shiny Curly Form resembles an eel nigiri, Shiny Droopy Form resembles a halibut or squid nigiri, and Shiny Stretchy Form resembles a salmon nigiri. Tatsugiri also somewhat resembles the koi fish, which like Tatsugiri has many colored varieties.

Tatsugiri's habit of entering the mouth of a Dondozo is a possible 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. Tatsugiri's Dragon type and curved posture may be a reference to Shachihoko, or the East Asian cultural association of koi (and carp in general) with dragons.

Tatsugiri and Dondozo's synergy together seem to reference the common "Brains and Brawn" team-up trope in media, as Tatsugiri is physically weak but really intelligent, and acts as the boss for the more powerful Dondozo.

Tatsugiri may be a combination of 竜 tatsu (Japanese for dragon) and 握り寿司 nigirizushi.

Syaritatsu may be a combination of シャリ shari (sushi rice) and 竜 tatsu.

In-game Information

Pokédex Entries

Curly Form

Title	Entry
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	This is a small dragon Pokémon. It lives inside the mouth of Dondozo to protect itself from enemies on the outside.
Pokémon Violet	Tatsugiri is an extremely cunning Pokémon. It feigns weakness to lure in prey, then orders its partner to attack.

Droopy Form

Title	Entry
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	This species’ differing colors and patterns are apparently the result of Tatsugiri changing itself to suit the preferences of the prey it lures in.
Pokémon Violet	This Pokémon tricks its opponents by playing dead. It is small and weak, but it uses its smarts to survive.

Stretchy Form

Title	Entry
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	Bird Pokémon are its main prey. This Pokémon knows it’s weak, so it hunts with a partner.
Pokémon Violet	It's one of the most intelligent dragon Pokémon. It camouflages itself by inflating its throat sac.

Game Locations

Title	Location(s)
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	North Province: Casseroya Lake (All Forms) North Province: Casseroya Lake (Former titan, Curly)
Pokémon Violet	North Province: Casseroya Lake (All Forms) North Province: Casseroya Lake (Former titan, Curly)

Base Stats

Base Stats
HP	68
Attack	50
Defense	60
Sp. Attack	120
Sp. Defense	95
Speed	82
Total	475

Gallery

Paldean Pokédex image

Tatsugiri as a Titan Pokémon

Scarlet and Violet menu icon

Scarlet and Violet menu icon (Droopy Form)

Scarlet and Violet menu icon (Stretchy Form)

Tatsugiri in Project Voltage

Renders

Renders
Scarlet Violet

Renders
Scarlet Violet

Renders
Scarlet Violet

Trivia

• Tatsugiri is the only Dragon-type Pokémon in the Water 2 Egg Group.