Ninetales (Pokmon) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokmon encyclopedia

Ninetales (Japanese: キュウコン Kyukon) is a Fire-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves from Vulpix when exposed to a Fire Stone.

In Alola, Ninetales has a dual-type Ice/Fairy regional form. It evolves from Alolan Vulpix when exposed to an Ice Stone. These Ninetales can also be found in Blueberry Academy's Terarium.

Biology

Ninetales is a quadrupedal canine Pokémon covered in thick, luxurious golden-white fur. It has a small mane of thicker fur around its neck and a long, fluffy crest atop its head. It has slender legs with three-toed paws and nine, long tails with pale orange tips. It has red eyes, pointed ears, and a triangular black nose.

There is a legend that claims Ninetails is the reincarnation of 9 united noble saints. While intelligent enough to easily understand human speech, Ninetales is a very vengeful Pokémon that has been known to curse those who mistreat it. Ninetails will also curse anyone who wakes it up by grabbing one of its many tails. The curse can last up to 1,000 years. As mentioned in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, once a Ninetales casts its curse, it cannot be removed even by Ninetales itself. It can live for 1,000 years due to the energy within its nine tails, each of which is said to have a different mystical power. Flames spewed from its mouth can hypnotize an opponent and its gleaming red eyes are said to give it the ability to control minds. As mentioned in the Sleep Style Dex, Ninetales is known to sleep while wrapped inside its tails, giving it a mystical appearance.[1] In the first Pokémon movie, it's shown that it can swim. Pokémon-Amie shows that Ninetales lick their paws to clean themselves. Being the result of an Evolution via Evolution stone, Ninetales are rarely found in the wild, though they can be found in grasslands.

Forms

Ninetales has a regional form: Alolan Ninetales.

In the Alola region, Ninetales have a different appearance. Its coat is pale blue, and its fur is more flowing and wispier. The tips of its tails and crest, as well as the lower halves of its legs, are white. The crest on its head is longer and its nine tails are less distinct from each other. Additionally, it has larger eyes, which are blue, and small tufts of fur in front of its ears.

Alolan Ninetales lives on Alola's snow-capped Mount Lanakila, which is considered by some to be holy ground. As such, it is revered as a sacred messenger or deity. Alolan Ninetales has a gentle and calm temperament and is known to aid lost humans in distress, though this is primarily done to keep them out of its territory. It will punish any threat to its pack of Vulpix. Those who anger it will be frozen stiff in an instant. It can produce ice crystals from its fur, which it can use for both offense and defense. The ice crystals can act as a shield or form balls that can be fired like bullets with enough force to shatter rock.[2] They can also be found in the Polar Biome of Blueberry Academy's Terarium, where Alola's island life is simulated.

Evolution

Ninetales evolves from Vulpix.

Alolan Ninetales evolves from Alolan Vulpix.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Alolan Ninetales

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 appears again when Gengar wishes to make right what he did to Gardevoir. He gives Gengar the 9-Tail Crest and sends him and the player to Murky Cave.
• Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Ninetales returns, asking the player to visit its hideout. Upon arrival, the player will connect with both Ninetales and Absol.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Held items

Ninetales

Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear. In Pokémon Emerald, Ninetales can only be found in the Battle Frontier.

Stats

Base stats

Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

Learnset

By leveling up

Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

By TM

Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

By breeding

Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

By a prior evolution

Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

Anime-only moves

Side game data

Ninetales

Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.38 seconds Base HP: 54 Base Attack: 79 Base Defense: 57 Base Speed: 70
Pokémon GO Base HP: 177 Base Attack: 169 Base Defense: 190 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Feint Attack, Fire Spin*, Ember† Charged Attacks: Heat Wave, Overheat*, Solar Beam*, Psyshock*, Weather Ball Fire*, Scorching Sands*, Fire Blast†, Flamethrower†, Frustration, Return
New Pokémon Snap Photodex entry #075 This mystical Pokémon is the subject of numerous legends. It’s highly intelligent and extremely curious, so it closely studies others to try to learn all it can about them.

Alolan Ninetales

Evolution data

Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

Sprites

In the anime

Main series

Major appearances

In Riddle Me This, Blaine used a Ninetales against Ash in their first Gym battle. It battled Squirtle and won before being recalled when Charizard was sent out. Vulpix reappeared in a flashback in Volcanic Panic.

In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Neesha's Ninetales was one of the Pokémon that were captured and cloned by Mewtwo. The Ninetales clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns. Neesha's Ninetales reappeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, a remake of Mewtwo Strikes Back, where it played the same role.

In Beauty and the Breeder, Zane's Ninetales was used in a Pokémon breeding competition and competed against Suzie's Vulpix. Ninetales was later among the contestants' Pokémon targeted by Team Rocket.

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 she spoke.

In Mystery on a Deserted Island!, a Ninetales evolved from a Vulpix that belonged to a Pirate. Ninetales was seen guarding the treasure that Ash, his friends, and Alexa were searching for on the Deserted Island.

In Getting a Jump on the Competition!, Cerah used an Alolan Ninetales during the Pokémon Sled Jump Games.

In Leaping Toward the Dream!, Goh caught an Alolan Ninetales on Mt. Coronet in order to qualify for Project Mew's Trial Missions. The Ninetales was subsequently returned to its home on Mount Lanakila in Trial on a Golden Scale!.

Minor appearances

Ninetales debuted in the banned episode EP038.

Ninetales made its English dub debut in The Battling Eevee Brothers as one of the Pokémon in the evolution party in Stone Town.

A Ninetales appeared as an image in the Japanese version of The Ultimate Test.

In Pikachu's Vacation, a Ninetales was at the Pokémon Theme Park.

In Misty Meets Her Match, Rudy's Ninetales was seen at the Trovita Gym.

In The Power of One, a Ninetales sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.

In A Bite to Remember, an injured Ninetales was under the care of Katrina.

In All Things Bright and Beautifly!, a Coordinator's Ninetales competed in the Rustboro Contest.

Multiple Ninetales appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.

In Deceit and Assist, a Coordinator's Ninetales competed in the Hoenn Grand Festival.

In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, a Ninetales was seen during the opening intro of the movie, while the other was under the ownership of a Trainer participating in the Rota tournament.

A Coordinator's Ninetales appeared in What I Did for Love!.

A Coordinator's Ninetales appeared in Thinning the Hoard!.

In a flashback in Mutiny in the Bounty!, a Ninetales was one of J's captured Pokémon.

A Performer's Ninetales appeared in a video in Performing with Fiery Charm!.

In Alola, Kanto!, a Ninetales appeared in a fantasy, while Snowy walked up to another at Professor Oak's Laboratory and bonded with it.

An Alolan Ninetales appeared in a fantasy in Showering the World with Love!.

In a flashback in The Dealer of Destruction!, a Trainer's Alolan Ninetales was battling another Trainer's Machamp on Mount Lanakila.

In Out of Their Elements!, a Ninetales appeared as part of a Pokémon Circus.

A Ninetales appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.

Pokédex entries

Pokémon Evolutions

A Ninetales appeared in The Discovery, under the ownership of Green. She used it to battle Elaine's Rapidash and won.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Red, Green & Blue arc

In A Tale of Ninetales, a Ninetales was caught by Blue.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

Blue's Ninetales is used in his Gym.

A Ninetales under the control of a Team Rocket Grunt attacked Gold and Silver in Piloswine Whine, but was easily defeated.

A Ninetales appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

Ruby & Sapphire arc

Courtney has a Ninetales that evolved from a Vulpix prior to Adding It Up with Plusle & Minun II.

Black 2 & White 2 arc

A Ninetales appeared in a flashback as one of the Pokémon trained by the International Police in Innocent Scientist.

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

An Alolan Ninetales debuted in Shock!! Father in the Pendant!, where it was seen on Mount Lanakila.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

Enta's Vulpix evolved into a Ninetales in Final Battle: Versus The Salon Maiden.

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

A Ninetales appeared in GDZ29, where it evolved from a Vulpix.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team

A Ninetales appeared in a fantasy in Goodbye to a Peaceful Village!.

A Ninetales appeared in Why I Became a Pokémon. The Answer Finally Revealed!! and Tears and Emotions - It's the Final Chapter!.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

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

Pokémon Zensho

Blaine's Ninetales was seen in PZ08 when Satoshi entered the Cinnabar Gym.

In the TCG

Other appearances

Pokémon UNITE

Ninetales in its Alola form is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a ranged attacker that starts as Alolan Vulpix, which evolves into Alolan Ninetales at level 4.

Trivia

Origin

Ninetales may be based on a red fox and the 狐 kitsune of Japanese legend, which are said to have many tails, extremely long lifespans, and supernatural powers such as the ability to breathe fire. After reaching an advanced age, kitsune take on spirit forms, which may explain why Ninetales can learn various Ghost-type and Psychic-type moves. Specifically, it may be based on the kyūbi no kitsune, whose fur turns white-gold after it has lived for 1,000 years and gains its ninth tail.

Alolan Ninetales may be based on an Arctic fox, which grows a white coat of fur in the winter to camouflage in the snow. Its mountain habitat and lore as a deity incarnation may be a reference to Poliʻahu, the Hawaiian goddess of snow who is said to reside on Mauna Kea. It could also be inspired by tulikettu, a mythical fox creature of Finnish lore whose radiant fur is said to be responsible for the creation of the northern lights. The Finnish word for aurora, revontulet, also literally translates to "fox fires" which could be intentional as Ninetales' original form is a Fire-type.

Name origin

Ninetales may be a combination of nine and tales, referring to fairy tales (alluding to it being based on a mythical creature) as well as being a homophone to tails. It may also reference the cat o' nine tails whip (due to its tendency to punish anyone who grabs its tails).

Kyukon may be a combination of 九 kyū (nine) or 九尾狐 kyūbiko (nine-tailed fox) and こん kon (onomatopoetic sound of a fox's cry). It may also involve 旧恨 kyūkon (old grudge) and 焜炉 konro (gas stove).

In other languages

More languages Hindi नाइनटेल्स Ninetails Transcription of English name Lithuanian Devinuodegė Translation of English name Russian Найнтэйлс Naynteyls Девятихвост Devyatikhvost Transcription of English name Literally "nine-tailed" Thai คิวคอน Khiokhon Transcription of Japanese name

See also

References

External links

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