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 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 AbilityCommander, 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.
Droopy Form Tatsugiri is the only pink Dragon-type Pokémon.
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 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".
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.
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.
For other sprites and images, please see Tatsugiri images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
