Ninetales
Pokémon series character
File:038Ninetales.png
National Pokédex
Vulpix - Ninetales (#038) - Jigglypuff
First gamePokémon Red and Blue

Ninetales (キュウコン, Kyūkon) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Ninetales first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.

Known as the Fox Pokémon, Ninetales are very vengeful and have been known to curse those who mistreat them for 1000 years. This is central in the plot of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, and it's various spin-off manga series. Ninetales also appears in various roles in the anime and Pokémon Adventures manga. Ninetales has had generally positive reception, some saying it is "particularly powerful", while others say it just has visual appeal.

Design and characteristics edit

Ninetales was designed by series artist Ken Sugimori. The basic design for Ninetales originates from Japanese myth - that of the nine-tailed fox.[1] The Kyūbi (九尾), which held similar powers such as shapeshifting, were the main inspiration for the Pokémon. Ninetale's name was derived from the number of its tails, nine, and the fact that the idea for it came primarily from ancient Japanese tales.[1]

This fox-like Pokémon is covered with a thick, luxurious golden-white fur, with 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.[2] Its nine different tails hold strange, cosmic powers,[3][4] that let it live for 1,000 years,[5] Ninetales are highly intelligent Pokémon that understand human speech.[6] They are very vengeful and have been known to curse those who mistreat them for 1000 years.[7][8] Many legends surround this Pokémon, one of which stating that Ninetales was born when 9 saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon.[9]

Appearances edit

In video games edit

Ninetales is one of the few Pokémon to appear in all the current generations of Pokémon games,[10] by evolving from a Vulpix, which is available in every region.

In 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.

In anime edit

Ninetails first appeared 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. Many other Ninetails have made minor appearances such as one being used by Blaine to battle Ash in their Gym battle.

In other media edit

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, 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.

Critical reception edit

IGN called Ninetales "one heck of a Pokemon that too many people tend to overlook" and a surprise "bombshell-dropper".[10] The reviewer continued, exaggerating that Ninetales may be "considered the new god of all that is holy."[10] The Capital Times concurred that Ninetales was "particularly powerful".[11] However, IGN also noted that the character served little purpose until later games beyond looking attractive.[10]

Many reviewers have commented on the perceived aesthetic beauty of Ninetales. IGN claimed that, while Ninetales may not be as cute as other Pokémon in the series, it makes up for this with sheer beauty.[10] Another noted Ninetales primarily for its visual appeal.[1]

Several sources have commented on Ninetale's name, with various reporters calling it "whimsical"[12] and "fanciful".[13] Another IGN reviewer expressed a particular fondness for Ninetales, calling it "elegant".[14] IGN called it one of the most visually impressive Pokémon.[15] IGN editor "Pokémon of the Day Chick" commented that where Ninetales loses Vulpix's cuteness, it has a "sheer beauty" to it.[16]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "#038 Ninetails". IGN. News Corporation. 1998. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  2. ^ Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Ruby (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: 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.
  3. ^ Silvestri, Cris (2008). Pokémon Ultimate Handbook. New York City: Scholastic Corporation. p. 178. ISBN 0545078865. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  4. ^ Game Freak (2000-10-15). Pokémon Gold (Game Boy Color). Nintendo. Pokédex: Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
  5. ^ Game Freak (2000-10-15). Pokémon Silver (Game Boy Color). Nintendo. Pokédex: Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.
  6. ^ Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Sapphire (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: 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.
  7. ^ Raabe, Nancy (10 November 1999). "The Poke List from 1 to 151, Here's Your Who's Who of All the Pocket Monsters". The Birmingham News. Vol. 112. Birmingham, Alabama: Advance Publications. pp. 8-G. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  8. ^ Game Freak (1998-09-30). Pokémon Red (Game Boy). Nintendo. Pokédex: Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1000-year curse.
  9. ^ Game Freak (1999-10-19). Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy). Nintendo. Pokédex: According to an enduring legend, 9 noble saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Pokemon of the Day: Ninetales". IGN. News Corporation. 17 October 2003. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  11. ^ Murphy, Chris (27 November 1999). "Pokemon Kids Try to Bowl Each Other Over on League Night". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin: The Capital Times Company. pp. 1A. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ^ Stroud, Rob (9 October 1999). "Collecting 'em all". Times-Courier. Charleston, Illinois: Journal Gazette and Times-Courier. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  13. ^ Hinshaw, Dawn (16 September 1999). "World of Pokemon: Card Game of Fantasy Characters is Icebreaker for School-Age Set". The State. The McClatchy Company. pp. D1. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  14. ^ "Pokemon of The Day: Ninetales (#38)". IGN. News Corporation. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  15. ^ http://guides.ign.com/guides/16708/page_107.html
  16. ^ http://faqs.ign.com/articles/455/455456p1.html

External links edit

Category:Fictional foxes Category:Pokémon species Category:Pokémon anime characters