Ninetales (Pokémon)

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Pokémon

#039: Jigglypuff →

Ninetales キュウコン Kyukon #038
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Fire Unknown Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Fox Pokémon
Abilities Flash Fire Blue-Striped ----- Drought Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #038 Johto #128 Hoenn #154 Sinnoh — Unova #249 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 Field 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 Fire-type Pokémon.

It evolves from Vulpix when exposed to a Fire Stone.

Biology

Physiology

This fox-like, quadruped 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 Ghost-type 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 nine saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon. Ninetales have also been shown on several occasions to be able to swim, most notably in Mewtwo Returns and The Power Of One, which is unusual for most Fire-types.

Behavior

This Pokémon's extreme intelligence lends to what most consider Psychic-type characteristics, though Ninetales has never officially been described as anything other than a Fire-type. 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

Like its pre-evolution, Ninetales can be found in grassy plains, near active volcanoes, or in shaded mountainous areas, as well as urban areas such as parks and in avenues, more commonly at night. They are also found in areas associated with death, such as Mt. Pyre.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Major appearances

Ninetales in the anime

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 Electric Soldier Porygon.

Ninetales made its dub debut in The Battling Eevee Brothers.

The Cinnabar Island Gym Leader, Blaine, used a Ninetales against Ash in their first Gym battle in Riddle Me This. It reappeared in a flashback in Volcanic Panic.

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.

Ninetales also appeared in The Power of One.

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

A Ninetales appeared in All Things Bright and Beautifly! under the ownership of a Pokémon Coordinator.

Multiple Ninetales appeared in the opening of Destiny Deoxys.

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

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

Blue's Ninetales in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In Pokémon Adventures, Red and Blue both tried catching the same Ninetales. In the scuffle for its Poké Ball, Blue managed to claim it, asserting that the right belongs to him, as his Machamp was the one who weakened it. It is not seen very much since its capture, but was able to use a powerful Fire Blast to super-heat the tournament arena at the Pokémon League finals where the two had one final match to determine the region's champion. This inadvertently led to Blue's defeat when the water vapor its attack expelled from Poli became charged with Pika's electricity, providing a large thundercloud for Saur to exploit using its vine, which was wrapped around Blue's Charizard at the time.

It has since been placed into his secondary team at the Viridian Gym, where it was trained to battle challengers in the event that Blue was absent.

Magma Admin Courtney uses a Ninetales as her main battler.

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team manga

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, the Curse of Ninetales is the reason why main character Ginji was transformed into a Torchic.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Koga sent out Ninetales to participate in the No. 1 Pokémon Contest in Aim to be the No. 1 Pokémon!.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

Blaine's Ninetales was seen in the Cinnabar Gym when Satoshi enters it.

In the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga

Enta's Vulpix evolved into Ninetales in the final chapter.

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 Nine-tailed Crest 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 {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} 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 Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 Each of its nine tails is imbued with supernatural power, and it can live for a thousand years. 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 Rare Abundant Shrine (Rustling Grass) Black 2 White 2 Rare Abundant Shrine (Rustling Grass) Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball	Evolve Vulpix
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Evolve Vulpix
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 6 Endless Level 11 Forever Level 55 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Evolve Vulpix
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Treeshroud Forest (10F-20F)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Almia Castle
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs	Odd Temple
Pokémon Rumble	Fiery Furnace Normal Mode C & A
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Lava: Firebreathing Mountain Autumnwood: Volcanic Slope*, Firebreathing Mountain*
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure	Lava Zone

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
List of Japanese Nintendo event Pokémon in 2012#Ninetales	Powerful Tag Pokémon	Japan	2012	50	Never

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Emerald*		Rawst Berry (100%)
Black	White	Rawst Berry (100%)
Black 2	White 2	Rawst Berry (100%)
Events*		Chesto 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 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water 2× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon has Flash Fire, the effectiveness of  Fire-type  moves is 0×. In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Ice-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— ——% 20 00Start Ember Fire Special 04040 100100% 25 00Start Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30 00Start Confuse Ray Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 10 00Start Safeguard Normal Status 0000— ——% 25

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ninetales Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM03	Psyshock	Psychic	Special	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM04	Calm Mind	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	20
	TM05	Roar	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM20	Safeguard	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	25
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM22	SolarBeam	Grass	Special	120120	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM35	Flamethrower	Fire	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM38	Fire Blast	Fire	Special	120120	085}}85%	5
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM43	Flame Charge	Fire	Physical	05050	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM50	Overheat	Fire	Special	140140	090}}90%	5
	TM53	Energy Ball	Grass	Special	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM59	Incinerate	Fire	Special	03030	100}}100%	15
	TM61	Will-O-Wisp	Fire	Status	0000—	075}}75%	15
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	05050	100}}100%	10
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM77	Psych Up	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM85	Dream Eater	Psychic	Special	100100	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ninetales Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Disable	Normal	Status	—	100%	20
	Extrasensory	Psychic	Special	80	100%	30
	Faint Attack	Dark	Physical	60	—%	20
	Flail	Normal	Physical	—	100%	15
	Flare Blitz	Fire	Physical	120	100%	15
	Heat Wave	Fire	Special	100	90%	10
	Hex	Ghost	Special	50	100%	10
	Howl	Normal	Status	—	—%	40
	Hypnosis	Psychic	Status	—	60%	20
	Power Swap	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
	Secret Power‡	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20
	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10
	Tail Slap	Normal	Physical	25	85%	10
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Ninetales in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Ninetales in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ninetales Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Covet	Normal	Physical	60	100%	40
B	W	B2	W2	Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	80	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Foul Play	Dark	Physical	95	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Heat Wave	Fire	Special	100	90%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Iron Tail	Steel	Physical	100	75%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Pain Split	Normal	Status	—	—%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Role Play	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Zen Headbutt	Psychic	Physical	80	90%	15
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Ninetales can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Ninetales cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ninetales Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Stage	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Tail Whip	Normal	Status	—	100%	30
	Fire Spin	Fire	Special	35	85%	15
	Imprison	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10
	Flame Burst	Fire	Special	70	100%	15
	Captivate	Normal	Status	—	100%	20
	Inferno	Fire	Special	100	50%	5
	Grudge	Ghost	Status	—	—%	5
	Extrasensory	Psychic	Special	80	100%	30
	Faint AttackB2W2	Dark	Physical	60	—%	20
	HexB2W2	Ghost	Special	50	100%	10
‡	Dark PulseBW	Dark	Special	80	100%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ninetales Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

By events

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Powerful Tag Pokémon	Heat Wave	Fire	Special	100	90%	10
A superscript level indicates that Ninetales can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Ninetales Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

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   It sends out pillars of fire to attack.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ● Defense ●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ● Defense ●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Ninetales came to the Lava Zone in search of fun. Which is just what she found at Absol's Hurdle Bounce!
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.
  • However, it is still capable of learning Grudge, another "curse-like" move which it can learn by its pre-evolutionary form.
• 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.
• Vulpix and Ninetales are the only two Fire-type 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 and V sprites.
• As of Generation V, Ninetales's EV Yield (1 Sp. Def, 1 Speed) is unique.
• Ninetales and Arcanine may be references to female and male beauty, respectively, considering their gender ratios and the fact that many of their Pokédex entries talk about their sheer beauty.
• Ninetales is the only fully evolved Generation I Pokémon that is unable to learn any HM moves, with the possible exception of Golbat, which evolves in Generation II.

Origin

Ninetales, like Vulpix, is based on a fox. 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 Ghost-type 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

Ninetales is a combination of nine and tales, which is either a corruption of tails or refers to Ninetales's origin as a Japanese myth. It also could possibly be a reference to the cat o' nine tails whip, which was historically used in military punishments.

Kyukon is a combination of 九 kyū (nine) and 恨 kon (grudge), which refers to the curse that Vulpix and Ninetales may cast on their foes. This is also reflected in Vulpix, which learns Grudge. Alternatively, it can be read as 旧恨 (old grudge). Kon may also refer to the Japanese onomatopoeia kon kon, which is 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

Language Title Meaning Japanese キュウコン Kyukon Possibly from 九 kyū and 恨 kon French Feunard From feu and renard Spanish Ninetales Same as English name German Vulnona From Vulpes and nona Italian Ninetales Same as English name Korean 나인테일 Nainteil From the English "nine tail" Mandarin Chinese 九尾 Jiǔwěi Literally means "Nine tails" Cantonese Chinese 九尾 Gáuméih Literally means "Nine tails"

More languages

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

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.