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| Tanuki | |||
| |||
| Species Origin | Tanuki | ||
| Rarity | Japan-exclusive | ||
| Habitat(s) | Urban | ||
| Related Species | |||
| Raccoon | |||
The tanuki (Japanese: 狸 tanuki, alternatively spelled tanooki, also raccoon dog or mangut, often localized as raccoon) is a canid species endemic to Japan.
Tanuki are the subject of much folklore, such as being associated with yōkai and wealth, and using transformative powers with leaves. This persists into modern popular culture. Tanuki appear in many franchises by Nintendo and other Japanese developers:
- The Tanooki Suit is a power-up in the Mario franchise. In some games, the Super Leaf grants this form. In others, Tanooki Mario can transform into the Statue Mario form. Some enemies are designed after the Tanooki Suit, such as the Goomba variant Tanoomba.
- Yuji Naka has claimed that Miles "Tails" Prower, a character in the Sonic series, was originally planned to be a tanuki. This is contested by the character designer, Yasushi Yamaguchi, who states that Tails was always intended to be a fox.
- In the Animal Crossing series, Tom Nook and his nephews Timmy and Tommy are tanuki localized as raccoons. Stored furniture transforms into leaves, likely a further reference to tanuki folklore.
- Three tanooki live on Isle Delfino and appear as non-playable characters in Super Mario Sunshine, where they are also localized as raccoons. A father and son run the Delfino Plaza boathouse, where they infamously trade Shine Sprites for ten Blue Coins each.
Tanuki are also the main species in the YoshiEgg series. YoshiEgg Nook, Thunder Nook, Rhode, and CrackedEgg Nook are some examples.
Appearances[]
Mario Rugby League 2[]
A tanooki appears playable in Mario Rugby League 2. It appears on the Mario Islanders team.
Notable Tanuki[]
Normal Tanuki[]
Normal Tanuki (Or Tanooki Bloods) are tanuki characters that are tanuki by birth.
- Tom Nook (Animal Crossing series)
- Timmy Nook (Animal Crossing series)
- Tommy Nook (Animal Crossing series)
- YoshiEgg Nook (YoshiEgg series)
- Thunder Nook (YoshiEgg series)
- M'Icho (YoshiEgg series)
- Rhode (TriHeroes series)
- Rain (Strafe series)
Artificial Tanuki[]
Artificial Tanuki are tanuki that were created by another being or person. Artificial tanuki are common within the YoshiEgg series.
- Tulip Nook (YoshiEgg series)
- CrackedEgg Nook (YoshiEgg series)
- Nook Beta Type X (YoshiEgg series)
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