Tatsugiri (Japanese: シャリタツ Syaritatsu) is a dual-type Dragon/Water Pokémon introduced in Generation IX.
While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, it has three separate 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.
Biology
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 a pinkish-red, 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 mainly resides near lakes, cliffs, and beaches. While normally found only in Paldea, it has been seen in Kitakami and Blueberry Academy's Terarium during the rare Mass outbreak events.
Tatsugiri is the only known Pokémon that can have Commander as an Ability.
- Titan Pokémon
A giant Tatsugiri, alongside a giant Dondozo, are both known as the False Dragon Titan, two of the Titan Pokémon found in Paldea. It mainly resides on an island in Casseroya Lake where it feeds on Spicy Herba Mystica inside a hidden cave.
Forms
Tatsugiri has three separate forms: Curly Form, Droopy Form, and Stretchy Form.
Curly Form
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Droopy Form
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Stretchy Form
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Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: False Dragon Titan, Tatsugiri is a minor character and a boss in the games. It became a Titan Pokémon after consuming some Herba Mystica.
- The player and Arven eventually found it in Casseroya Lake to find the Herba Mystica it guards, however, its partner, Dondozo swallowed and rescued it, fighting them in its place. After Dondozo's defeat, Tatsugiri finally reappeared, being defeated as well and being forced to flee. After both took the Herba Mystica, Tatsugiri became a normal-sized Pokémon once again. After this, it can be rematched in its original location, and will have the Titan Mark when captured.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
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Generation IX
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Paldea #375
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Kitakami #—
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Blueberry #—
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Curly Form
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Scarlet
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This is a small dragon Pokémon. It lives inside the mouth of Dondozo to protect itself from enemies on the outside.
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Violet
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Tatsugiri is an extremely cunning Pokémon. It feigns weakness to lure in prey, then orders its partner to attack.
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Droopy Form
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Scarlet
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This species' differing colors and patterns are apparently the result of Tatsugiri changing itself to suit the preferences of the prey it lures in.
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Violet
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This Pokémon tricks its opponents by playing dead. It is small and weak, but it uses its smarts to survive.
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Stretchy Form
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Scarlet
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Bird Pokémon are its main prey. This Pokémon knows it's weak, so it hunts with a partner.
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Violet
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It's one of the most intelligent dragon Pokémon. It camouflages itself by inflating its throat sac.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
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In side games
In events
Stretchy Form Tatsugiri
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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68
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128 - 175
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246 - 340
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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60
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58 - 123
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112 - 240
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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95
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90 - 161
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175 - 317
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82
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78 - 147
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152 - 289
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Total: 475
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tatsugiri
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tatsugiri
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tatsugiri
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Tatsugiri
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Tatsugiri
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tatsugiri
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tatsugiri
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Side game data
Form data
Tatsugiri has three different non-interchangeable forms: Curly Form (which is orange), Droopy Form (which is magenta), and Stretchy Form (which is yellow), each with different colors, fin shapes, and patterns on their bodies. When Dondozo uses the move Order Up after Tatsugiri has entered its mouth using its Ability Commander, the stat boost that Dondozo gains is based on the Tatsugiri form in its mouth, with Curly Form increasing Attack, Droopy Form increasing Defense, and Stretchy Form increasing Speed.
Evolution data
Curly Form
Droopy Form
Stretchy Form
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IX.
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In animation
Main series
Major appearances
All three forms of Tatsugiri debuted in HZ068, where they were revealed to have joined the Rising Volt Tacklers.
Minor appearances
Challenge the World!
A Curly Form Tatsugiri briefly appeared in Challenge the World!
Biri-Biri
A Curly Form Tatsugiri, namely the False Dragon Titan, briefly appeared as a silhouette in the music video for Biri-Biri.
Pokémon: Paldean Winds
One of each form of Tatsugiri appeared in Breathe Together.
In the manga
In the TCG
- Main article: Tatsugiri (TCG)
Trivia
Origin
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 a herring roe nigiri. Likewise, Shiny Curly Form resembles an eel nigiri, Shiny Droopy Form resembles a halibut or a 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 Dondozo's mouth is a possible reference to mouthbrooding, a parenting style performed by many species of fish where the parent fish will keep their offspring safe by holding them inside their mouth. Tatsugiri's hunting methods may also be a reference to fishing lures and fishing bait. Tatsugiri and Dondozo's synergy together seems to reference the common "Brains and Brawn" team-up trope in media, as Tatsugiri is physically weak but highly intelligent, and acts as the boss for the powerful but unintelligent Dondozo.
Alternatively, this habit may also hint at Tatsugiri being partially inspired by parasitic isopods, such as the tongue-eating louse, which attaches itself to the tongues of fish for sustenance. Its appearance may reference the parasitic isopod of the Rocinela genus that went viral in Japan in 2021 for resembling a nigirizushi.
Tatsugiri's Dragon type may be a reference to the East Asian cultural association of koi (and carp in general) with dragons. Curly Form's curved posture may also be a reference to Shachihoko. Tatsugiri's lobed fins and its ability to walk on land may be inspired by lungfishes and lungfish-like species like Polypterus senegalus, sometimes known as "dragonfish".
Name origin
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 other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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シャリタツ Syaritatsu
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From シャリ shari and 竜 tatsu
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French
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Nigirigon
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From 握り寿司 nigirizushi and dragon
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Spanish
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Tatsugiri
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Same as English name
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German
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Nigiragi
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From 握り寿司 nigirizushi and dragon
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Italian
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Tatsugiri
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Same as English name
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Korean
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싸리용 Ssariyong
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From the transcription of Japanese name and 용 (龍) yong
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Mandarin Chinese
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米立龍 / 米立龙 Mǐlìlóng
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From 米粒 mǐlì and 龍 / 龙 lóng
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Cantonese Chinese
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米立龍 Máihlahplùhng
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From 米粒 máihlāp and 龍 lùhng
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More languages
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Hindi
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ड्रैज़ूशी Drazushi
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From dragon and sushi (or 握り寿司 nigirizushi)
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Thai
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ชาริทัตสึ Charithatsue
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
References
External links
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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