Ninetales (Pokémon)

← #037: Vulpix

Pokémon

#039: Jigglypuff →

Ninetales キュウコン Kyukon #038
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Fire ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Fox Pokémon
Ability Flash Fire Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #038 Johto #128 Hoenn #154 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R-172 Oblivia R-168 N-109
Height 3'07" Imperial 1.1 m Metric 3'07"/1.1 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 43.9 lbs. Imperial 19.9 kg Metric 43.9 lbs./19.9 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	Catch rate 75 (9.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 25% male, 75% female
Breeding Ground group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 1 Speed 1 Base Exp.: 178 Battle Exp.: 1781*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Ninetales (Japanese: キュウコン Kyukon) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves from Vulpix via Fire Stone.

Biology

Physiology

This fox-like Pokémon is covered with a thick, luxurious golden-white fur, as well as having nine tails, each of which is tipped with orange. They also have a fluffy crest atop their heads and a similar ruff around their necks. Ninetales have gleaming red eyes that are said to give them the power of mind control. They can also live up to one thousand years.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Ninetales are based on the kitsune of Japanese mythology, giving them abilities to wield Template:Type2 attacks such as Confuse Ray, and the fairly Ghost exclusive Will-O-Wisp. They are also very vengeful Pokémon and have been known to curse those who mistreat them. Ninetales are highly intelligent Pokémon that understand human speech. Many legends surround this Pokémon, one of which states that Ninetales was born when 9 saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon. Ninetales have also been shown on several occasions to be able to swim, most notably in The Power Of One and Mewtwo Returns, unusual for a Fire-type.

Behavior

This Pokémon's extreme intelligence lends to what most consider Template:Type2 characteristics, though Ninetales has never officially been described as anything other than a Template:Type2. It also seems to hold grudges very easily and will curse humans and Pokémon alike if they touch one of its tails.

Habitat

File:Grassland.gif

Grassland Pokémon

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Ninetales in the anime.

Major appearances

In Beauty and the Breeder, a friend of Suzy named Zane had a Ninetales and used it in a Pokémon breeding contest.

In Just Waiting On A Friend, a very old Ninetales befriended Brock, who bore a resemblance to her long lost master. This Ninetales created all sorts of illusions, including one of a woman through which it spoke.

Minor appearances

Ninetales was first seen in The Battling Eevee Brothers.

A Ninetales made a cameo appearance in Electric Soldier Porygon.

The Cinnabar Island Gym Leader, Blaine, used a Ninetales against Ash in their first Gym battle.

In Mewtwo Strikes Back, a Ninetales owned by Neesha was one of the Pokémon that were captured and cloned by Mewtwo. The Ninetales clone is seen again in Mewtwo Returns.

A Ninetales made a cameo appearance in Misty Meets Her Match. This Ninetales belonged to Rudy.

An injured Ninetales appeared under the care of Katrina in A Bite to Remember.

Ninetales also had a cameo during the opening credits of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, taking part in the festival honoring Sir Aaron.

A Ninetales appeared in a flashback in Mutiny in the Bounty! as one of J's captured Pokémon.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP058 Ninetales Ash's Pokédex Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. It is the evolved form of the Fire Pokémon Vulpix. Original series entries continue below.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP169 Ninetales Ash's Pokédex Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. The evolved form of Vulpix. It has nine tails and a shining golden fleece. Ninetales are said to live very long lives. EP232 Ninetales Ash's Pokédex Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. Ninetales is the evolved form of Vulpix. Each of its tails contains a different mystical power.

In the manga

In Pokémon Adventures, Red and Blue both tried catching the same Ninetales. In the scuffle for its Poké Ball, Blue managed to grab it first.

Magma Admin Courtney uses a Ninetales as her main battler.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, the curse that Ninetales can conjure is one of the main points of the plot.

In the TCG

Main article: Ninetales (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ninetales cast a curse on a human that would turn it into a Pokémon, bringing on many natural disasters. The player is blamed for this and travels to the home of Ninetales at the top of Mt. Freeze to learn the truth. Ninetales later appears when Gengar wishes to right what he did to Gardevoir. He gives Gengar the Crest - O - Ninetales and sending him and the player to Murky Cave.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1000-year curse. Blue Yellow According to an enduring legend, 9 noble saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon. Stadium It is extremely vindictive. It is said to lay a 1,000-year long curse if its tail is pulled as a joke.
Generation II Gold Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power. Silver Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years. Crystal It is said to live a thousand years, and each of its tails is loaded with supernatural powers. Stadium 2 Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
Generation III Ruby Ninetales casts a sinister light from its bright red eyes to gain total control over its foe's mind. This Pokémon is said to live for a thousand years. Sapphire Legend has it that Ninetales came into being when nine wizards possessing sacred powers merged into one. This Pokémon is highly intelligent - it can understand human speech. Emerald It has long been said that each of the nine tails embody an enchanted power. A long-lived Ninetales will have fur that shines like gold. FireRed It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years. LeafGreen Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1000-year curse.
Generation IV Diamond Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years. Pearl Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years. Platinum Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years. HeartGold Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power. SoulSilver Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue None Evolve Vulpix (Blue only) Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Evolve Vulpix
Generation II Gold Silver None Evolve Vulpix (Silver only) Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Evolve Vulpix Emerald None Evolve Vulpix FireRed LeafGreen None Evolve Vulpix (LeafGreen only) Colosseum None Trade XD None Evolve Vulpix
Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Evolve Vulpix Platinum None Evolve Vulpix HeartGold SoulSilver None Evolve Vulpix  (SoulSilver only) Pal Park Field Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Evolve from Vulpix
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 6 Endless Level 11 Forever Level 55 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Evolve from Vulpix
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Treeshroud Forest (10F-20F)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Almia Castle
Pokémon Rumble	Fiery Furnace

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Emerald*		Rawst Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 73		133 - 180	256 - 350
Attack: 76		72 - 140	141 - 276
Defense: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Sp. Atk: 81		77 - 146	150 - 287
Sp. Def: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Speed: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Total: 505	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 100.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆	Power 2/3 ★★☆
Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆	Stamina 2/3 ★★☆
Jump 3/3 ★★★	Total 14/18 ★★☆

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | fire | style="background:#E62829" |  fire 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Ninetales | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

|- style="background:#EF7374" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Pinball RS    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Darkness Ridge Phrases 51%-100% HP Feel privileged to see the 1,000-year knowledge of our clan! 26%-50% HP This won't do. I've only half my health remaining. 1%-25% HP My eyes grow dim... Is this how our 1,000-year legacy ends? Level up Rejoice! My level has gone up! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Rejoice! My level has gone up!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -4.5% IQ group: G
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Fire  Poké Assist: ( Fire ) Field move: (Burn ×4) Browser entry   While protecting itself with a ghostly ring of fire, it breaths streams of fire to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Fire  ( Fire ) Past ( Normal ) (Burn ×2) Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Vulpix  Fire

Fire Stone →

First Evolution Ninetales  Fire

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Ninetales images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Ninetales's name was originally spelled as "Nine Tales".
• Ninetales's name is misspelled as "Ninetails" in the Pokémon Trading Card Game for the Game Boy Color.
• Despite what many of its Pokédex descriptions say, it cannot learn the move Curse other than by TM03 in Generation II. Even still, due to its typing, Ninetales can only alter its stats with Curse, rather than place one on the target.
• In Pokémon Platinum, Ninetales is the one of the few Pokémon not in the Sinnoh Pokédex, and not introduced in Generation IV, to have a new sprite. Muk, Oddish, Hitmonlee, Meowth, Primeape, and Registeel are the others.
• Despite what numerous Pokédex entries imply, Ninetales cannot learn Revenge.
• Vulpix and Ninetales are the only two Template:Type2 Pokémon species where females outnumber males.
• Ninetales has been inconsistently shown with either solid yellow tails or yellow tails with orange tips. The solid yellow tails appear in its original art as well as its Generation I, II, and III sprites while the orange-tipped ones appear in its revamped art, its model in Pokémon Stadium, and its Generation IV sprites.

Origin

Ninetales, like Vulpix, are based on foxes. However, in Japan there are certain legends concerning foxes, or kitsune, as they are known there. One such legend which relates to Ninetales the most is how many-tailed foxes can breathe fire, create illusions, and have extremely long lifespans. After living a long time, these creatures take on spirit forms, which may be the reason why these two related Pokémon can learn Template:Type2 moves.

In particular, Ninetales is based on the 九尾の狐, the nine-tailed fox, which is a fox of advanced age whose fur has turned silver-gold. It is said to have the power of infinite vision.

Name origin

Its name simply refers to the nine tails it has, although "tales" is used in place of "tails", perhaps to reference the many myths in Japan that it is based on. Kyūkon can be taken to mean 旧恨, old grudge, although it is worth noting that the first syllable spells out 九 kyū, nine and kon from the Japanese onomatopoeia konkon - the sound that foxes make. Furthermore, a コンロ konro is a gas burner stove. Also, an alternate reading of the Japanese word for fox, 狐 kitsune, is ko.

In other languages

• German: Vulnona - From Vulpes and nona (Latin for "the ninth" with a female ending).
• French: Feunard - From feu (fire) and renard (fox).
• Korean: 나인테일 Nainteil
• Chinese (Taiwan and Hong Kong): 九尾 Jiu Wei - "Nine tails".

Notes

← #037: Vulpix

Pokémon

#039: Jigglypuff →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.