I assumed it was based on shakōki-dogū

This design is very culturally influence. As Americans or Canadians, we don’t see or know what a shakoki-dogu is, we just see some weird-ass teapot. In Japan, they see a highly praised idea in a well designed digimon. It makes sense for that to be a holy/rock digimon

Why do so many Digimon fans complain about this design and have no apparent idea what it’s based on when Dogu are in EVERY JAPANESE THING EVER.

I mean I’m exaggerating a little obviously but not much.

These are also like THE thing UFO nerds back in the day swore were actually idols of “ancient astronaut visitors" which is why they’re often portrayed like robots or aliens.

They’re very special to Japan, as they’re among the most ancient signs of civilization and art ever uncovered in the islands. Some are at least 15,000 years old. And they’re gorgeous. Though this particular style is the most famous they vary widely in design, demonstrating incredible imagination and artistry in a prehistoric world.

And we still don’t know exactly what their significance was…except that the majority of them appear to have been ritualistically smashed only shortly after they were created. We don’t know what for.

Honestly though, haven’t nerds learned yet that if something looks “nonsensical” to them, it’s PROBABLY a culturally important reference they’re ignorant of? I guess some fans are just too proud to realize they don’t know everything about Japan….even shit as basic as the country’s most famous and iconic archaeological artifacts.