The Origins of 4 Shrimp Pokemon & the Real Animals Behind Them

Shrimp rarely stay shrimp in Pokemon. The pistol shrimp became a cannon, and a piece of sushi became a boss.

Here's every shrimp Pokemon:

All 4 Shrimp Pokemon

#347

Anorith

Anorith, the Old Shrimp Pokemon, is closely based on Anomalocaris, an ancient genus of marine arthropod, with some characteristics of a trilobite. It also greatly resembles brine shrimp, with similar eyes and feather-like protrusions along its sides.

It swims swiftly by pulling its eight wings through the water like oars on a boat, and it is an ancestor of modern bug Pokemon, which explains its Bug type. (We would like a word with the ancestor about Beedrill.)

Its Battle Armor ability (an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle) protects it against critical hits, the lucky hits that deal extra damage.

#692

Clauncher

Clauncher, the Water Gun Pokemon, is likely based on a pistol shrimp, since it fires water from its claw. Its blue color scheme may come from Procambarus alleni, though it may also be a reference to mutated American lobsters.

It launches water like a bullet by detonating gas that builds up in its right claw, and this is how Clauncher defeats its enemies. We have questions about a water pistol that runs on its own gas and will not be asking them.

Its Mega Launcher ability strengthens aura and pulse moves (a group of energy-blast attacks) to 1.5× their power.

#693

Clawitzer

Clawitzer, the Howitzer Pokemon, is based on a pistol shrimp, with its oversized claw and its ability to expel powerful blasts of water from it. Its deep blue color may come from Procambarus alleni, and its curved body is a pose often seen in real shrimps and prawns, typically when they are moulting or cleaning.

Its right arm is a cannon that launches projectiles made of seawater, and shots from it can sink a tanker. We would give a shrimp that sinks tankers the right of way. It stands 1.3 m tall and weighs 35.3 kg.

#978

Tatsugiri

Tatsugiri, the Mimicry Pokemon, is based on nigiri sushi, and its Curly Form resembles a shrimp (ebi) nigiri. Its other forms are tuna and egg. It also somewhat resembles the koi, and its Dragon type may come from the East Asian link between koi and dragons. Its habit of entering Dondozo's mouth may reference mouthbrooding, where parent fish keep their young safe inside their mouths.

It is extremely cunning, feigning weakness to lure in prey and then ordering its partner to attack. Its Commander ability sends it inside the mouth of an ally Dondozo, and the shi in sushi can also be read as commander. We would like the same arrangement, small and riding a giant fish to work. It stands 0.3 m tall and weighs 8 kg.

The Largest Shrimp Pokemon Stands 1.3 m, and Its Shots Can Sink a Tanker

None of these four is big. The largest, Clawitzer, stands 1.3 m, and Tatsugiri is 0.3 m. Even so, they carry weapons out of proportion. Clauncher launches water like a bullet, Clawitzer's shots can sink a tanker, and Tatsugiri feigns weakness, then orders a Dondozo to attack for it.

That follows the real animals. The pistol shrimp behind Clauncher and Clawitzer fires water from its claw, and Anorith comes from Anomalocaris, an ancient marine arthropod that is now the ancestor of modern bug Pokemon.