---
title: "Tatsugiri (#0978): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/tatsugiri"
description: "Tatsugiri (#0978): Dragon/Water-type Mimicry Pokémon from Paldea. Base stat total 475. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si."
last_updated: "2026-10-21"
publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)"
last_checked: "2026-10-20"
---

#0978 · Paldea · Generation 9

# Tatsugiri

Mimicry Pokémon · Dragon/Water-type

![Tatsugiri official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/978.webp)

Tatsugiri is a [Dragon](https://pokee.si/types/dragon)/[Water](https://pokee.si/types/water)-type Pokémon, the Mimicry Pokémon, number 978 (#0978) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 9 and comes from the [Paldea](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/paldea) region. It is 0.3 m tall and weighs 8 kg.

Tatsugiri is the Mimicry Pokémon, a small Dragon and Water type that looks like a piece of sushi and plays dead to lure in prey before ordering a Dondozo to attack. It comes in three forms and, in the Mega Dimension DLC of Legends: Z-A, gains a Mega Evolution.

## How to pronounce Tatsugiri

Tatsugiri is pronounced **tat-soo-GEER-ee**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Listen to Tatsugiri said out loud:

[Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/978.mp3)

In Japanese it is シャリタツ (Syaritatsu).

Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce).

## Lore

### Biology

Tatsugiri has a cylinder-shaped body above a white throat sac that looks like a bed of rice when inflated, with large eyes, long pectoral fins and a wavy dorsal fin. It comes in three forms that cannot be swapped: orange Curly, magenta Droopy and yellow Stretchy. The Pokédex says the colours and patterns are apparently Tatsugiri adapting to whatever its target prey prefers. It is 0.3 m (1 ft) tall and weighs 8 kg (17.6 lb), and it blends into its surroundings by puffing up that throat sac.

### Behaviour

The Pokédex calls Tatsugiri extremely cunning: it feigns weakness to trick opponents and relies on its wits to survive. It judges its chances in a battle and, if it sees no hope, flees as fast as it can. Tatsugiri will fight furiously among themselves over who gets to partner with a particular Dondozo.

### Habitat

The Pokédex says it shelters in a Dondozo's mouth. In Scarlet and Violet it is found at Casseroya Lake in Paldea's North Province and in 5 star Tera Raid Battles.

### Diet

The Pokédex says it mainly hunts bird Pokémon.

### Powers

Its signature Ability, Commander, makes it hop into an ally Dondozo's mouth in a Double Battle, and Bulbapedia says no other Pokémon is known to have it; Storm Drain is hidden. It attacks with Muddy Water and Dragon Pulse and sharpens up with Nasty Plot. Using Tatsugirinite, each form can Mega Evolve: three Tatsugiri, one of each form, ride a platter that copies the Mega Evolution symbol, and the centre one is the original. With 120 base Special Attack (135 as a Mega) it hits hard on the special side.

### Name origin

Tatsugiri may combine tatsu (Japanese for 'dragon') with nigirizushi, the hand-pressed sushi. The Japanese name is Syaritatsu (シャリタツ), possibly from shari ('sushi rice') and tatsu.

### Design inspiration

James Turner designed Tatsugiri. It appears to be based on nigirizushi: Curly resembles shrimp, Droopy tuna, and Stretchy egg or herring roe. Its Dragon type may nod to the East Asian link between koi and dragons. These are fan readings.

### In the games

Tatsugiri and Dondozo together make up the Titan boss known as the False Dragon Titan at Casseroya Lake in Scarlet and Violet, where Tatsugiri debuted. In Legends: Z-A it is found in the Mega Dimension DLC's Hyperspace Lumiose, where Mega Tatsugiri is introduced.

### In the anime

Tatsugiri's three forms debuted in 'Into a New Sky! The Brave Olivine!', which revealed that they had joined the Rising Volt Tacklers. One of each form also appears in the episode 'Breathe Together' of Pokémon: Paldean Winds.

### Fun facts

- In Pokémon GO each form is tied to a region: Droopy turns up in the Americas, Stretchy in Asia-Pacific and Curly across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
- Bulbapedia says only Tatsugiri and Magearna look different as Mega Evolutions depending on their form.
- The kanji 司 in 寿司 (sushi) can also mean 'commander', which Bulbapedia notes is a possible pun on the Commander Ability.
- A Stretchy Form Tatsugiri was given out online from 7 to 31 August 2023 to mark the Pokémon World Championships.

Sources: [Bulbapedia: Tatsugiri (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Tatsugiri_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Tatsugiri (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/tatsugiri/)

## Base stats

- HP: **68**
- Attack: **50**
- Defense: **60**
- Sp. Atk: **120**
- Sp. Def: **95**
- Speed: **82**

Tatsugiri’s base stat total is **475**. Its highest stat is Sp. Atk.

## Type matchups

### What is Tatsugiri weak to?

Tatsugiri takes extra damage from [Dragon](https://pokee.si/types/dragon) (2×), [Fairy](https://pokee.si/types/fairy) (2×) moves.

It resists [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire) (¼×), [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) (¼×), [Steel](https://pokee.si/types/steel) (½×).

## Evolution

Tatsugiri does not evolve, and it does not evolve from any other Pokémon.

## Forms

- **Mega Curly Tatsugiri** (Mega): [Dragon](https://pokee.si/types/dragon)/[Water](https://pokee.si/types/water)-type, base stat total 575 (HP 68, Attack 65, Defense 90, Sp. Atk 135, Sp. Def 125, Speed 92). Abilities: [Commander](https://pokee.si/abilities/commander), [Storm Drain](https://pokee.si/abilities/storm-drain) (hidden).
- **Mega Droopy Tatsugiri** (Mega): [Dragon](https://pokee.si/types/dragon)/[Water](https://pokee.si/types/water)-type, base stat total 575 (HP 68, Attack 65, Defense 90, Sp. Atk 135, Sp. Def 125, Speed 92). Abilities: [Commander](https://pokee.si/abilities/commander), [Storm Drain](https://pokee.si/abilities/storm-drain) (hidden).
- **Mega Stretchy Tatsugiri** (Mega): [Dragon](https://pokee.si/types/dragon)/[Water](https://pokee.si/types/water)-type, base stat total 575 (HP 68, Attack 65, Defense 90, Sp. Atk 135, Sp. Def 125, Speed 92). Abilities: [Commander](https://pokee.si/abilities/commander), [Storm Drain](https://pokee.si/abilities/storm-drain) (hidden).

Cosmetic forms with the same stats: Droopy Form Tatsugiri, Stretchy Form Tatsugiri.

## Abilities

- [Commander](https://pokee.si/abilities/commander): Goes inside the mouth of an ally Dondozo if one is on the field.
- [Storm Drain](https://pokee.si/abilities/storm-drain) (hidden ability): Redirects single-target Water moves to this Pokémon where possible. Absorbs Water moves, raising Special Attack one stage.

## Moves

### Moves Tatsugiri learns by level up in Scarlet / Violet

| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Water Gun](https://pokee.si/moves/water-gun) | Water | Special | 40 |
| 1 | [Splash](https://pokee.si/moves/splash) | Normal | Status | — |
| 6 | [Harden](https://pokee.si/moves/harden) | Normal | Status | — |
| 12 | [Helping Hand](https://pokee.si/moves/helping-hand) | Normal | Status | — |
| 17 | [Water Pulse](https://pokee.si/moves/water-pulse) | Water | Special | 60 |
| 23 | [Soak](https://pokee.si/moves/soak) | Water | Status | — |
| 28 | [Taunt](https://pokee.si/moves/taunt) | Dark | Status | — |
| 34 | [Memento](https://pokee.si/moves/memento) | Dark | Status | — |
| 39 | [Muddy Water](https://pokee.si/moves/muddy-water) | Water | Special | 90 |
| 43 | [Nasty Plot](https://pokee.si/moves/nasty-plot) | Dark | Status | — |
| 47 | [Mirror Coat](https://pokee.si/moves/mirror-coat) | Psychic | Special | — |
| 52 | [Dragon Pulse](https://pokee.si/moves/dragon-pulse) | Dragon | Special | 85 |

### TM moves (28)

Tatsugiri can learn 28 moves from TMs in Scarlet / Violet: [Take Down](https://pokee.si/moves/take-down), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Water Pulse](https://pokee.si/moves/water-pulse), [Chilling Water](https://pokee.si/moves/chilling-water), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Icy Wind](https://pokee.si/moves/icy-wind), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Rain Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/rain-dance), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Taunt](https://pokee.si/moves/taunt), [Dragon Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/dragon-dance), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Dragon Pulse](https://pokee.si/moves/dragon-pulse), [Surf](https://pokee.si/moves/surf), [Helping Hand](https://pokee.si/moves/helping-hand), [Baton Pass](https://pokee.si/moves/baton-pass), [Nasty Plot](https://pokee.si/moves/nasty-plot), [Hydro Pump](https://pokee.si/moves/hydro-pump), [Giga Impact](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-impact), [Outrage](https://pokee.si/moves/outrage), [Hyper Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-beam), [Draco Meteor](https://pokee.si/moves/draco-meteor), [Tera Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/tera-blast), [Lunge](https://pokee.si/moves/lunge), [Whirlpool](https://pokee.si/moves/whirlpool), [Muddy Water](https://pokee.si/moves/muddy-water), [Dragon Cheer](https://pokee.si/moves/dragon-cheer).

Egg moves (3):[Baton Pass](https://pokee.si/moves/baton-pass), [Counter](https://pokee.si/moves/counter), [Rapid Spin](https://pokee.si/moves/rapid-spin).

## Breeding & training

- Gender: 50% male, 50% female.
- Egg groups: Water 2.
- Egg cycles: 35 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 4,480).
- Catch rate: 100 out of 255.
- Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50.
- Growth rate: Medium Slow (1,059,860 experience points to reach level 100).
- Defeating it gives 2 Sp. Atk effort values.
- Base experience yield: 166.

## Pokédex entries

Tatsugiri is an extremely cunning Pokémon. It feigns weakness to lure in prey, then orders its partner to attack. *(Violet)*

This is a small dragon Pokémon. It lives inside the mouth of Dondozo to protect itself from enemies on the outside. *(Scarlet)*

## Names around the world

- **Japanese**: シャリタツ
- **Romaji**: Syaritatsu
- **French**: Nigirigon
- **German**: Nigiragi
- **Spanish**: Tatsugiri
- **Italian**: Tatsugiri
- **Korean**: 싸리용
- **Chinese (Simplified)**: 米立龙
- **Chinese (Traditional)**: 米立龍

## Trivia

- Shortest Water type in Gen 9: 0.3 m.
- Highest Sp. Def among Water types in Gen 9: 95.
- Lightest Dragon type in Gen 9: 8 kg.
- Shortest Dragon type in Gen 9: 0.3 m.
- Taller than 4% of all Pokémon (0.3 m).
- Heavier than 23% of all Pokémon (8 kg).
- Base stat total 475, ranked #431 of 1,025.
- Its best stat is Sp. Atk, ranked #76 of 1,025.
- One of 5 Pokémon that are both Dragon and Water.
- One of 60 pink Pokémon.
- Number 73 of 120 Pokémon introduced in Generation 9 (Paldea).
- Can learn 36 different moves in Scarlet / Violet.
- Catch rate 100: about 13.1% per Poké Ball at full health.
- Has 5 alternate forms.
- Appears in 2 distinct Pokédex entries.

## Sources and fact-checking

- Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data.
- Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Tatsugiri (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Tatsugiri_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Tatsugiri (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/tatsugiri/).
- Pronunciation (tat-soo-GEER-ee): no English source says it out loud, so it is our best guess from the parts of the name.

**Last checked:** 20 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data.

## Explore

[Dragon-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/dragon) · [Water-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/water) · [Dragon/Water weaknesses and matchups](https://pokee.si/types/water-dragon) · [Paldea region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/paldea) · [Commander ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/commander) · [Storm Drain ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/storm-drain) · [Compare Tatsugiri](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=978) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves)

## Browse similar Pokémon

[Gen 9 Dragon-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/dragon/gen-9) · [Gen 9 Water-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/water/gen-9) · [Gen 9 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-9) · [Pink Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/pink) · [Water 2 egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/water-2) · [Pokémon that start with T](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/t)

← [Dondozo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/dondozo) | [Annihilape](https://pokee.si/pokemon/annihilape) →

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