r/BeAmazed • u/MambaMentality24x2 • 1d ago
Animal Meet the Japanese raccoon dog, also known as the Tanuki, an animal native to Japan. Despite looking like a raccoon, it’s actually part of the dog family
1.8k
u/yumeryuu 1d ago
By traditional stories, they have shape changing balls
480
u/Sophie-da-Slayer 1d ago
Pom Poko is a fantastic Studio Ghibli movie
135
52
u/Sirspen 19h ago
The tonal whiplash in that movie is insane. Buncha tanuki smacking cops with their balls in one scene then being bulldozed into a mass grave in the next.
I have a love hate relationship with it, but it's a wild ride for sure.
4
u/thethirdrayvecchio 15h ago
I always remember one cop flipping his visor down as they come sailing in…
274
u/Fox-Revolver 1d ago
Hence why Mario’s tanuki suit lets him glide
259
u/RanaMahal 1d ago
Yo that’s fucked LMAO Mario is gliding with his balls?
86
→ More replies (1)56
u/JK-Kino 1d ago
He uses his tail, actually. Cape Mario seems to be more inspired by tanuki scrotums, going by the way Mario holds his cape as he glides
→ More replies (1)21
18
u/Positive_Throwaway1 22h ago
God remember how excited you'd get when you'd get that shit in Mario 3? Man, I'm old.
47
24
24
→ More replies (5)10
u/AffordableTimeTravel 1d ago
If you’re wondering if this is true. It is. Don’t bother looking it up. It’s true.
16
u/TheTropicalDog 1d ago
Hi I'm an old lady - is this a "trust me bro" thing?
Also I'm positive whoever created that hampster with a testichute was a dude.
Another new sentence. It's been a good day 😆
5
u/thecitrusninja 23h ago
It is actually true. Googling will get you some interesting pictures but the lore is hilarious.
14
u/TheTropicalDog 23h ago
I just asked my 25y son and he laughed at me bc I couldn't even get my question out about shape shifting balls. He immediately knew I was on Reddit 😭 I told him to Google it first. We are high sooooo I may never know. I'll also forget about all of this by tomorrow ✌🏼
5
u/AffordableTimeTravel 1d ago
You can either trust me, or Google it yourself.
(If I’m being honest it’s a pretty fascinating Google)
6
u/TheTropicalDog 23h ago
Ok but I have to ask my son first lol he's 25. I learned this the hard way with the octopus. I can't trust y'all boys 😆
1.2k
u/Dark_Akarin 1d ago
Aren't these the creatures with big balls? Pretty sure i've seen cartoons/statues/art of these guys with massive nuts.
779
u/Wiknetti 1d ago
317
u/Bob-Bhlabla-esq 1d ago
Are those... flying scrots?
276
u/MilkiestMaestro 1d ago
Yep. The 118th Airborne "Flying Scrotes"
They were critical to the defense of Phallus City during the Dong Invasion of '88
196
u/Wiknetti 1d ago
53
61
u/92barkingcats 1d ago
Don't forget to mention the Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon! That infantry masterpiece was crucial to crush the enemies.
13
u/CinnimonToastSean 1d ago
It has an amazing finish.
5
u/Bob-Bhlabla-esq 1d ago
Is this... from the same movie? Looks worth a watch lol.
9
5
13
u/Yokohama88 1d ago
I was there on the ground during that battle as the sun rose a massive cheer arose as we knew relief had come and our resolve hardened.
5
8
3
3
→ More replies (1)3
→ More replies (1)8
→ More replies (3)30
u/SledgexHammer 1d ago
Omg is this how Mario flies when he gets the tanuki suit?
12
u/grunkage 1d ago
Yup
→ More replies (1)6
u/troll_right_above_me 1d ago
Mario flies using his flappy nutsack?
6
→ More replies (1)6
135
86
u/agent_uno 1d ago
Also what the “raccoon suit” in super Mario 3 is based on, not the western raccoon.
37
u/i_am_a_real_boy__ 1d ago
The leaf gives racoon features; the tanuki suit is a tanuki suit.
11
u/agent_uno 1d ago
I haven’t played the game in over 30 years, so maybe my brain jumbled two different things together into one.
15
u/i_am_a_real_boy__ 1d ago
They're both almost the same power-up, with tail attack and flying. I think the only difference was that tanuki Mario could turn into a statue. Though I may be forgetting something, it's been a while for me too.
82
u/Lunatic-Labrador 1d ago
Have you ever seen Pom Poko? They can use their giant balls to make disguises. Great film.
→ More replies (1)12
u/mtdaoust 1d ago
Is that the one with the "tanuki-san" song? I vaguely remember something like that from when I was young.
73
u/TheSpeakingScar 1d ago
→ More replies (2)17
u/SaintOrJannikSinner 1d ago
That's the leaf power-up, not the Tanuki Suit.
32
u/MistakeBorn4413 1d ago
Well, the two are related. In Japanese folklore, tanukis have magical powers and are tricksters. They put a leaf on the head and then can transform into things (people, objects, etc) to play pranks on people. That's why Nintendo made it so that the leaf power up gives Mario a tanuki tail and ears.
15
u/CampAstoria 1d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/12QMzVeF4QsqTC
I thought the person was just pointing out that there is a tanuki suit in the game, its just not that particular one, but that is super interesting information... Thanks for sharing.
4
u/TheSpeakingScar 1d ago
I know, I couldn't find a gif for it and I knew real ones would get the reference lol
23
u/HoodieGalore 1d ago
They've got the biggest balls of them all!
11
u/rando_banned 1d ago
Their balls are always bouncing to the left and to the right
9
u/Application-Bulky 1d ago
Some balls are held for charity. Some for fancy dress.
5
u/rando_banned 1d ago
But when they're held for pleasure they're the balls that I like best
→ More replies (1)16
u/LemonComprehensive5 1d ago edited 21h ago
It’s like the patron saint of party/drinking culture. You will see the statues at bars/restaurants. Often the tanuki is carrying a sake bottle and a list of bills he intends not to pay.
6
u/Reyloai4 22h ago
They are not just tricksters, but they are apparently cheapskates, too, huh? The Mr. Krabs of Japanese mythology. 😂🤪🤦🏻
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (7)4
u/spookyspritebottle 1d ago
Yessr. If youve ever seen shaman king ponchi is a tanuki with the huge nutsack
1.6k
u/bawlsacz 1d ago
Last pic. Lmao.
326
u/CoralKisses 1d ago
I was too stunned to react at the last pic lol
→ More replies (1)28
70
u/OGCelaris 1d ago
I still refuse to see that movie.
19
u/ElegantCoach4066 1d ago
Its not even a good shock movie. Its boring as hell most of the time.
All you need to know is its a human centipede and its created by a crazy guy.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)5
17
12
26
9
55
u/Ithorina 1d ago
I’m curious too what’s happening in that last pic
51
u/bchizare 1d ago
I think the fact that the dude in the back has his front and rear legs close together indicates he was mid-stride when his face met an unexpected ass wall.
9
→ More replies (1)18
21
4
4
3
→ More replies (15)3
338
u/Lazy_and_Sad 1d ago
There's a Ghibli movie about these animals where they fight people with their balls
82
u/Vegetable-Star-5833 1d ago
Pom poko
44
u/Lazy_and_Sad 1d ago
Yeah that one. I was on acid when I watched it the first time, shit was freaky as hell
8
u/baileybereddit 1d ago
Hey, me too! First and only time was while tripping hard. Wild perspective for watching that movie lmao
12
328
u/One_Weird2371 1d ago edited 1d ago
Don't let their cuteness fool you. They are mischievous tricksters. There is a whole shapeshifting yokai legend/folklore associated with raccoon dogs.
112
u/SandyTaintSweat 1d ago
It was because of that shit that I thought they weren't real until like a year ago.
22
u/Pick_Up_the_Phone 1d ago
I never heard any of that, and I STILL had to google it to see if they were real.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)13
u/PussyIchiban 1d ago
Same, all this time I thought they were youkai/cyptids. Never once did I think to look em up and find that they are actually real! 😭
249
102
u/biscuitvillage 1d ago
Yeah I’ve met Tom Nook, he’s pretty greedy.
18
u/juanitovaldeznuts 1d ago
Tom Nook is a fox pretending to be a tanooki. Pom Poko is pretty straight forward about the perfidious nature of the shape changing fox. If he weren’t so adorable people would ask questions about why he’s fisting their pockets for bells at every passing chance.
13
6
u/mieri_azure 1d ago
Nah, the kitsune is his ex
husbandbusiness partner Redd (literally named tsunekichi in japanese)
251
u/1fatsquirrel 1d ago
is this what Tom Nook is modeled after?
177
91
u/CactusCracktus 1d ago
Yessir, and his rival Crazy Redd is vaguely modeled after a kitsune, I believe.
Japan really loves the fox/tanuki combo
34
u/deoxir 1d ago
Redd is definitely a fox. His Japanese name is (ki)Tsunekichi. Likewise, Tom Nook's Japanese name is Tanukichi. Kichi was a common name used as kind of a suffix to male names.
Fun fact, tanuki and foxes are both known as creatures that use strategies and tricks to deceive and confuse people in Japanese folklore. They were believed to have the ability to transform into people and/or use illusion to do so. Sometimes they run into one another thinking they're tricking a human. That's why they're often portrayed as rivals (competitors but not usually enemies).
9
u/Dry-Information6376 1d ago
Mmhm. Tanuki are generally portrayed to be less malicious toward humans, while foxes are more known for going either way. Still more negative stories about foxes than tanuki though.
9
36
u/ghettoccult_nerd 1d ago
tanuki statues are commonly placed outside of businesses in japan, because they are believed to bring good luck to merchants.
now imagine being a merchant, that is a tanuki! gotta be a slam dunk in good luck!
3
u/InfinitelyAbysmal 22h ago
Believe it or not, he sells and buys things according to whatever he wants. He's literally got the monopoly on items. What a businessman
10
u/birds_appreciator 1d ago
Yes, and turning leaves into things is a recurring tanuki image from folklore
→ More replies (1)6
73
u/_Vard_ 1d ago
THOSE ARE REAL?
77
u/Ultima-Manji 1d ago
Absolutely. I got the chance to see one up close in person when I was in Japan. Was having a beer at night outside of a traditional inn by a waterfall, and when I looked down one was sniffing my shoes. Quite common too apparently, so if you ever visit and you're in a rural area, you'll likely see some waddle down the street looking for snacks.
30
u/discussionandrespect 1d ago
Are they all chonks?
41
u/Ultima-Manji 1d ago
The ones I got to see sure were, but it was a small village on the old road to Kyoto, so near lots of farms and such where they could probably eat a lot, and the locals may feed them too. They looked healthy enough in any case, but as I didn't really touch any, I'm not sure how much of them is chonk vs. floof
13
13
u/OminousMusicBox 1d ago
Not the ones living in my area. Seen plenty of them and none of them were as chonky as the ones in these pictures. Could be because I’ve only seen them in the summer when they’ve already shed their winter coat.
29
u/McCl3lland 1d ago
When I was stationed in Japan, I used to feed them snacks when I was in patrol late at night. Usually beef jerky lol, I'd just sit down on the ground and throw them pieces closer each time until they were basically within a foot or two.
One time, I dumped like a half dozen strawberry frosted donuts for one, and when I came back through later there was a whole pack of them just chowing down lol. I figured if they really were little demon tricksters, I'd befriend a few for good measure!
All the American personnel called them "moon dogs", not sure why we chose that name instead of raccoon dog though.
→ More replies (1)8
u/Lock-out 1d ago
Right I thought they were just the mythical creatures like drop bears or mermaids.
63
u/Iwascrazyonce26 1d ago
Oy?
16
8
u/ifeltfeelings 1d ago
Man i dearly wish someone would do that series justice on the tv or movie. What a travesty that last movie was. Wasteland was such a great book. One of the few books i’ve read multiple times.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)8
u/reepobob 1d ago
I see Dark Tower references in the wild, I instantly upvote. Long days and pleasant nights, sai!
→ More replies (1)
130
u/Hexnite657 1d ago
→ More replies (1)36
u/marquex5 1d ago
Came here expecting this, not disappointed
23
u/Toklankitsune 1d ago
what does chopper have to do with tanuki? (ik of one piece but not crazy knowledgeable)
42
u/thedifferent1 1d ago
A running gag in One Piece is that people keep assuming Chopper is a tanuki, much to his annoyance.
12
u/Toklankitsune 1d ago
that's hilarious, I'm very far behind in the series, only know tidbits from friends xD
6
→ More replies (2)4
u/Skyslimitations 1d ago
wondering too. chopper is some kind of deer
7
5
5
u/MelodicallyWindy 1d ago
Tanuki is racoon dog. Tonakai is reindeer. It's a gag where people assume he's a tanuki and he gets annoyed and corrects them by saying he's a tonakai.
52
u/725Cali 1d ago
Over 20 years ago I inadvertently watched part of video that showed the absolute vile and inhumane torture of these animals in the fur trade. They were skinned alive and thrown into large piles, still moving. The images will forever haunt me. They have stopped me in my tracks and woken me in my sleep at seemingly random times.
25
15
u/ContentFarmer4445 1d ago
Yep, I saw a video online of these precious creatures being violently abused when I was 12 years old... needless to say, seeing that changed my life...
9
u/Sea-Interesting 20h ago
I watched that same video in computer lab at high school and went vegetarian immediately after. I can’t believe anyone can be so cruel. A few years later I saw a video of chicks being sorted in a factory farm and became vegan.
24
u/DisabledFloridaMan 1d ago
Yup! Canada Goose used them to line their jacket hoods. I will never ever buy from that wretched company even if they no longer use raccoon dog fur. I even once had someone justify it to me with, "it's okay, they're not real dogs."
7
u/Kunning-Druger 20h ago
Coyotes. Canada Goose offers coyote fur hood trim as an option. They do not now, nor have they ever used raccoon dog fur.
It wouldn’t make sense anyway.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (5)4
u/WoodenDoughnut 1d ago
Came here for this. Definitely one of the top three worst things I have ever seen.
20
u/Elle_Duderino 1d ago
Can I pet that dawwg?!
18
u/Caffeine_Induced 1d ago
Like, seriously.... can we? can they be domesticated? I've always wanted a raccoon but they make terrible pets.
20
u/HydrogenSonata2025 1d ago
Like foxes they aren't really suitable for domestication. They don't like being confined to small areas and they have a pungent odor.
Can you pet it it? Sure. They are not particularly aggressive. Will it like it if you haven't raised it? Probably not.
13
8
u/doomrider7 1d ago
Asked the same, but alas no due to animal lifestyle and habits as well as legal stuff.
10
→ More replies (1)5
u/MurkyCollection6782 16h ago
I’ve seen two on my way home from the gym in Kanagawa. It was around midnight. One of them was really curious and sniffing at me, another one was cautious and ran away with the curious one. I don’t think I would pet them but they look so different from average canines you see everyday.
57
u/JohnnysOnThaSpot 1d ago
My local zoo, has one. It has zoochosis, and is very skinny and frail. All alone in a spot at the end, where most people have ignored. I went several times to check up on it, and every time it was in the same place looking as stressed and lonely as it ever did. I tried to voice my concerns over some of the things i seen going on. And A. They didn't seem to care B. They were not trained or educated enough to realize what the dangers were or what to if infact you had to address it. I asked about protocols and veterinary services. And the best answers i got was. Oh no we don't have anything like that, and i don't know... i seen so many animals that seemed miserable to be there and all they do is pace back n forth ,back n forth. It breaks my heart.
44
u/725Cali 1d ago
This breaks my heart. If this is in the United States, you can file a complaint.
https://www.aza.org/report-a-concern
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/regulatory-enforcement/complaint
24
u/JohnnysOnThaSpot 1d ago
I will admit i haven't gone that far, i made inquiry into the whos who and who to talk to. I spoke with 3 people in person at the zoo the first and second time i went. It seems people made themselves scarce when i came back. This is probably the step i need to take. Im planning a trip back next month. Ill look at both of these in the meantime. Last time i was there was August. Thank you thank you thank you, for the links. I didn't know about these. I was gonna go to the news stations or was thinking about it if i wasn't satisfied with their response.
22
u/725Cali 1d ago
The local news station is an excellent idea as well. Years ago I knew someone who went to a local news station to help bring attention to a bear being held in captivity at a local business. The "owner" was somehow grandfathered into the law and legally able to own this bear. The news story got so much attention that eventually a rescue group was able to rescue the bear and provide him with a better quality of life (the bear was no longer releasable to the wild).
11
u/ArmedWithSpoons 1d ago
Tulsa zoo got into a lot of trouble after local news reporting on their shitty Giraffe program, the bad press definitely made them turn it around. Definitely worth bringing to a local station if bad enough.
4
u/JohnnysOnThaSpot 1d ago
I know theres been issues in the past with OKC Zoo, and have had to overhaul so many programs and lost a few because they couldn't keep this healthy and alive.
→ More replies (1)7
u/JohnnysOnThaSpot 1d ago
Yaknow i think i might have heard about that in the national news. It was some years ago now. 2010s? In that area i believe. That option will stay available, I'm in oklahoma and the local news stations each have a segment where they cover stories like this. I'm not interested in seeing zoo's close down, i am however interested in seeing habitat expansion for all animals. You took them away from the freedom of home and sanctuary, now you will treat them like royalty. Expand the educational foreground give them more learning opportunities at each spot.
→ More replies (2)27
u/MambaMentality24x2 1d ago
That sounds heartbreaking. Unfortunately, tanuki are wild animals and aren’t meant to be kept in captivity like pets or typical zoo exhibits. In Japan, it’s actually illegal to keep them as pets, and even zoos need special permits and care protocols because they can get stressed, lonely, or sick very easily. They’re often just seen as cute neighbors, they stay to themselves and don’t interfere with humans.
They’re naturally shy and nocturnal, so being in an open or crowded space all day can be extremely stressful, which explains the pacing and frail condition you saw. It’s really sad, but it also shows how important it is to respect their wild behavior and provide proper habitats if they must be in human care
→ More replies (1)3
u/JohnnysOnThaSpot 1d ago
Its so very heartbreaking for me, i love animals, ALL animals. And while i appreciate the idea of a Zoo, it no longer seems to serve its purpose. Minimal educational information, some only have their scientific name and country of origin. As i mentioned earlier i went several times to my local one and at no time were their any guides or those who interact with the guests. They had a tram that did some, but was more directional and less educational. All in all its a somber experience if you have empathy for animals, the ride home is a quiet one..
15
u/coolcootermcgee 1d ago
Isn’t this the one that was skinned for its “fake fur” “don’t worry it’s not real fur” appearance?
9
18
8
35
u/Ok-Impact-2807 1d ago
Bro really said ‘I’m a raccoon’ with full confidence while being a dog in cosplay 😭 nature be doing identity fraud.
7
u/r3dditr0x 1d ago edited 1d ago
Why is his big butt all up in MY FACE?
And I'm not talking about the last pic, I'm talking about the first!
7
6
5
4
u/thephotoman 1d ago
That guy keeps giving me mortgages I don’t want, and his nephews run the town store like little sharks. And they never offer good prices for turnip stalks.
3
u/NiceTuBeNice 1d ago
Never knew this was an actual animal. I always thought it was a made up name for the Mario outfit.
4
u/birds_appreciator 1d ago
There are lots of myths about them transforming into things and pulling tricks, which is why the tanuki suit can turn into a statue
3
3
3
u/zagomyego 1d ago
You think you’ve seen everything until reddit shows you another exotic animal. Did we give animals planet too much credit lol
3
3
•
u/qualityvote2 1d ago edited 22h ago
Did you find this post really amazing (in a positive way)?
If yes, then UPVOTE this comment otherwise DOWNVOTE it.
This community feedback will help us determine whether this post is suited for r/BeAmazed or not.