Ninetales is based on a fox, particularly the kitsune of Japanese legend, which have many tails, extremely long lifespans, and can breathe fire. After living a long time, kitsune take on spirit forms, which may explain why Ninetales can learn Ghost-type moves. In particular, Ninetales is based on the 九尾の狐 kyūbi no kitsune, a kitsune of advanced age whose fur has turned silver-gold, and, upon gaining its ninth tail, has gained powers equivalent to a deity, bearing omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience.
Alolan Ninetales seems to be based on Arctic foxes.
Ninetales is a combination of nine and tales, which itself may combine tails and fairy tales, from the Japanese myth it is based on. It may also reference 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, from the curse it may cast on its foes), kon kon (the sound foxes make), コンロ konro (gas stove), or ko, an alternate reading of 狐 kitsune (fox). Alternatively, it can be read as 旧恨 kyūkon (old grudge).
No: 038
English Name: Ninetales
Japanese Name: Kyukon
Generation: 1
Type: Fire
Species: Fox Pokémon
Abilities: Flash Fire, Drought (hidden ability)
Evolution: Vulpix > Ninetales
This fox-like, quadruped Pokémon is covered with a thick, luxurious golden-white fur. It has nine, long tails, each tipped with pale orange. There is a fluffy crest atop its head, and a small mane around its neck. Ninetales has gleaming red eyes that are said to give it the ability to control minds. Its ears are pointed, and it has long, slender legs with three-toed paws.
Ninetales is a very vengeful Pokémon that has been known to curse those who mistreat it. This intelligent Pokémon is able to understand human speech easily. 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. The anime has shown that it can swim. It can be found living in grasslands.
In the Alola region, Ninetales has a different appearance. Its coat is pale blue with white at the tips of its tails, crests, and covering most of its legs. Additionally, it now has larger and wider blue eyes and its fur is more flowing and curled. Alolan Ninetales 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. It lives on a snowy mountain peak in the Alola region that is considered by some to be holy ground. As such, it is revered as a sacred messenger. Alolan Ninetales has a gentle temperament, and is known to aid humans in distress. However, it is territorial and will punish any threat to its domain.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1000-year curse.
Pokemon Blue: Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1000-year curse.
Pokemon Yellow: According to an enduring legend, 9 noble saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon.
Pokemon Stadium: It is extremely vindictive. It is said to lay a 1,000-year long curse if its tail is pulled as a joke.
Pokemon Gold: Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
Pokemon Silver: Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.
Pokemon Crystal: It is said to live a thousand years, and each of its tails is loaded with supernatural powers.
Pokemon Stadium 2: Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
Pokemon 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.
Pokemon 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.
Pokemon 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.
Pokemon FireRed: It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1,000-year curse.
Pokemon Diamond: Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
Pokemon Pearl: Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
Pokemon Platinum: Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
Pokemon HeartGold: Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
Pokemon SoulSilver: Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.
Pokemon Black: Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
Pokemon White: Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
Pokemon Black 2: Each of its nine tails is imbued with supernatural power, and it can live for a thousand years.
pokemon White 2: Each of its nine tails is imbued with supernatural power, and it can live for a thousand years.
Pokemon X: It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years.
Pokemon Y: Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1,000 year curse.
Pokemon Omega 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 one thousand years.
Pokemon Alpha 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.
Pokemon SUN: Legend has it that this mystical Pokémon was formed when nine saints coalesced into one.
Pokemon MOON: Said to live for a thousand years, this Pokémon uses its supernatural abilities to manipulate fire. It can burn its prey to a crisp as it pleases.
