Tanooki

This article is about the Tanooki on Isle Delfino. For information about Mario's transformation, see Tanooki Mario.

Tanooki
A normal plump Tanooki.
First Appearance	Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
Notable Members
Father and son Tanooki

The Tanooki are a race of rather plump raccoon dog-like creatures, found primarily on Isle Delfino. Though only three are shown, it appears that Tanookis work as vendors for a living and the race itself does not appear to populate Isle Delfino in as large numbers as the other races, such as Piantas and Nokis.

History

Super Mario Sunshine

During the events of Super Mario Sunshine, the Boathouse is run by two Tanooki, one older and one younger. Additionally, a Tanooki owns a small rowboat shack in Noki Bay. The boats can be rented for a price of 90,000 coins. However, Mario is allowed to use them for free.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario and Luigi encountered the Tanoombas, a race of Tanooki-Goomba hybrids. In the game's sequel, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Shroob-like versions of the Tanoombas appeared. These creatures were named Tashroobas. Tanoombas also reappeared in Partners in Time.

Super Paper Mario

In Super Paper Mario, the character Francis mentions that he would like a Tanooki Suit made with real Tanooki fur.

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	タヌキ Tanuki	Tanooki (Raccoon Dog)

Trivia

• The Tanooki are actually based on an animal known in Japanese as the "Tanuki", or in English as the "Japanese Raccoon Dog." It is often said to be a shape-shifting trickster in Japanese folklore.
• The design of Tanooki's from Super Mario Sunshine was likely designed after the Tanuki Statues all across Japan; the sun hat, the shirt/coat, tail and sash are all trademarks of the statues.
• The Tanooki bear resemblances to Tom Nook from the Animal Crossing series.

Super Mario Sunshine
Characters	Mario • Peach • Toadsworth • Toad • F.L.U.D.D. • Pianta Attorney • Pianta Captain • Pianta Judge • Pianta Village Mayor • Doot-Doot Sisters • Cannon Pianta • Hotel Manager • Chomp Keeper • Sunglasses Vendor • Delfino Police • Big Daddy • Crate Guy • Noki Elder • Noki Elder's Grandson • Noki Director • Sand Bird • Great Sunflower • Il Piantissimo
Bosses	Shadow Mario • Polluted Piranha Plant • Petey Piranha • Gooper Blooper • Plungelo • Wiggler • Mecha Bowser • Monty Mole • Phantamanta • King Boo • Eely-Mouth • Chain Chomp • Bowser Jr. • Bowser
Locations	Bianco Hills • Bianco Square • Corona Mountain • Delfino Airstrip • Delfino Plaza • Gelato Beach • Hotel Delfino • Isle Delfino • Noki Bay • Pianta Village • Pinna Park • Ricco Harbor • Shine Gate • Sirena Beach
Species	Bee • Bird • Blooper • Bob-omb • Boo • Bullet Bill • Butterfly • Cataquack • Chain Chomplet • Cheep-Cheep • Coo Coo • Dune Bud • Electro-Koopa • Giant Stu • Jumping Blooper • Klamber • Missile Bill • Monty Mole • Noki • Pianta • Pink Boo • Piranhabon • Plungelo • Poink • Pokey • Pokey Sprout • Polluted Piranha Plant • Seedy Pod • Skeeter • Sleepy Boo • Smolderin' Stu • Snooze-A-Koopa • Soarin' Stu • Stackin' Stu • Strollin' Stu • Surfing Blooper • Sunflower Kid • Swipin' Stu • Swoopin' Stu • Tanooki • Toad • Wiggler • Wind Duppy • Yoshi
Fruit	Banana • Coconut • Durian • Papaya • Pepper • Pineapple • Watermelon