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 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.
In the anime
Major appearances
Minor appearances
In the mangaIn the TCGGame data
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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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
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
Evolution
Curly Form
Droopy Form
Stretchy Form
Sprites
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 an urchin 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, yet 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.
In other languagesRelated articlesReferencesExternal 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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