Dondozo and Tatsugiri (sushi chef style)

I'm happy to show you the Dondozo and Tatsugiri duo, following my 9G Pokémon series!
These two species are among the few in the Pokémon lore to have a symbiotic relationship (living with each other to have a survival advantage). Indeed, the Dondozo are not considered very intelligent, and therefore team up with the Tatsugiri to hunt.
Why did i choose to draw them? Because their Japanese inspirations are multiple!

Dondozo ヘイラッシャ is a catfish, and seems to be partly inspired by the yokai Namazu 大鯰. But above all, it is inspired by master sushi cookers in Japan!

Obviously and in parallel with Dondozo, Tatsugiri シャリタツ is inspired by sushi (more precisely Nigirizushi, the most famous sushi with the slice put on the rice.) The references to the different types of sushi are well found, because the 3 forms (as well as chromatic ones) refer directly to it.

Let me explain it all to you:
- the Curly form (the orange one with waves) refers to えび寿司 Ebi-sushi (shrimp sushi)
- the Droopy form (the fushia pink one) refers to めぐろ寿司 Meguro-sushi (tuna sushi)
- the Stretch form (the yellow one) refers to たまご寿司 Tamago-sushi (egg sushi)
- the shiny Curly form (the orange with brown waves one) refers to うなぎ寿司 Unagi-sushi (eel sushi)
- the shiny Droopy form (the white one) refers to いか寿司 Ika-sushi (cuttlefish sushi)
- the shiny Stretch form (the orange with yellow lines one) refers to サーモン寿司 Salmon-sushi (salmon sushi)

In short, an illustration to take in the second degree, I wanted to reinforce their concept, by drawing poor Tatsugiri prepared by Master Dondozo, scared because ready to be eaten! No pro or anti vegan message here, just humor. Thank you for your understanding and no hate please 🙏