Ninetales

Ninetales
Pokémon character
First gamePokémon Red and Blue (1996)
Created byAtsuko Nishida[1]
Designed byAtsuko Nishida (original)[2]
Ken Sugimori (finalized)[3]
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon
TypeFire
Ice/Fairy (Alolan)

Ninetales (/ˈnaɪnteɪlz/), known in Japan as Kyukon (Japanese: キュウコン), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, it evolves from the Pokémon Vulpix, both having the Fire type and only being available in Blue without trading. Since Ninetales' debut, it has appeared in multiple games including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as media related to the franchise, including an episode of the TV series focusing on Ninetales. In Pokémon Sun and Moon, a new variant of Vulpix and Ninetales are introduced as part of a form called "Alolan," referring to the region Alola featured in the game. Both Pokémon change Fire for Ice type, and Ninetales also gains a Fairy type upon evolving from Vulpix.

Both forms of Ninetales have received generally positive reception, with commendation for its usability in gameplay and visual design being commonly cited. It has also been discussed in the context of mythology, particularly fox spirits, with multiple critics discussing the episode and how it relates to this mythology, as well as comparing it to the mythological story of Tamamo-no-Mae.

Conception and development

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Ninetales is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.[4] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[5] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[6] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[5]

When making the games, the design first started as pixel art sprites by the development team, created with a single color identity chosen to work within the Super Game Boy hardware limitations.[7] Modeled after a fox, Ninetales was created by Atsuko Nishida,[1] who had been brought on the development team to help create "cute" Pokémon for the game.[2] Once development was complete, Ken Sugimori re-drew the species along with the others in his own artstyle in order to give the game a unified look and finalize any design elements, while also trying to maintain the original artist's unique style.[3] Its Japanese name, Kyukon, comes from the Japanese words "kyu" (nine) and "kon" (legend).[8]

Ninetales is a Fire-type Pokémon that evolves from the Pokémon Vulpix, also a Fire type, via use of an object called a "Fire Stone."[9] In addition to using Fire-type attacks, it is also capable of using Ghost and Psychic-type attacks.[10] Its Alolan form is Ice and Fairy instead of Fire, being the only species with this type combination.[11] It has slightly higher speed and lower attack than its original variant.[12] Alolan Ninetales' different type and design is explained by its adaption due to the "chilly mountain air" it lives in.[13]

Appearances

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Ninetales' Alolan Ice–Fairy design was praised by critics.

First found in Pokémon Red and Blue, Ninetales has since appeared in many other Pokémon titles.[14] It is exclusive to Blue, only obtainable in Red via trading.[15] It can also be found in Pokémon Yellow.[16] It also appears in the remakes of Red and Blue titled FireRed and LeafGreen and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.[14][17] A new form of Ninetales, called Alolan Ninetales, appears in Pokémon Sun and Moon.[11] Both forms appeared in the mobile game Pokémon Go and, in physical media, were in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.[18][19][20] Outside of the mainline games, it also appears in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, including Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, where it curses a character in the story for pulling on its tails. Ninetales is also instrumental in clearing the protagonist's name in the responsibility for natural disasters that had been occurring.[21][22] It also appears in the video game New Pokémon Snap.[23]

Ninetales appears in the Pokémon TV series, posing as a woman who seeks to convince the character Brock to stay with her at her former master's mansion due to his resemblance to him.[24]

Critical reception

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Paste writers Kevin Slackie and Moises Taveras commented on its "magical" aura and "spiritual energy" that they felt made it "equally impressive and somewhat terrifying." They felt it was an especially notable Fire-type Pokémon from the beginning of the series due to its use of Ghost and Psychic-type moves.[10] IGN writer Kristine Steimer also felt that its use of Ghost moves helped set it apart, finding it visually "majestic" and among the original games' best evolutions.[25] As part of their "Pokémon of the Day" series, IGN staff found its design elegant, remarking their dislike for Arcanine by virtue of how they felt that it received special treatment over Ninetales, particularly in Red and Blue and Gold and Silver. They also remarked how Ninetales should have been given Ghost typing due to its use of Ghost-type moves and its ability to curse people.[26] Nintendo Life's staff regarded Ninetales' design as being one of the best of the first generation. While Alex Olney expressed that he enjoyed Vulpix more than Ninetales, fellow reviewers Zion Grassl and Jon Cartwright felt it was superior, with Grassl attributing part of his enjoyment to the Keaton from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and calling it both "one of the most majestic Pokémon" and "perfect."[27]

Ninetales is said to take inspiration from the Japanese yokai kitsune

Ninetales' connection to the fox spirit in Chinese and Japanese mythology has been discussed by critics and scholars.[24] Comic Book Resource writer Katie Schutze praised its design, feeling that it evoked aspects of the kitsune mythology in more subtle ways. In particular, she noted Vulpix only having six tails compared to Ninetales' nine, which she believed reflected the kitsune mythology of growing more tails as they age. She also noted its similarities to a kitsune that has aged to 1000 years becoming "white or gold," believing that the gold fur of Ninetales and the white fur of its Alolan form reflected this.[28] A fox spirit was featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which producer Kevin Feige noted caused test audiences to believe that the film featured Ninetales due to their similar designs.[29] The episode where a Ninetales attempts to charm Brock to stay with her was discussed in the book In a Stranger Field: Studies of Art, Audiovisuals and New Technologies in Fantasy, SciFi and Horror Genres, with the authors stating that the story of Tamamo-no-Mae is referenced in this episode. They also discussed how the episode conveys the image of the "practically harmless and even attractive yokai" represents how the "image of that supernatural and incomprehensible being of the Japanese tradition" is being replaced.[30] Author Patrick Drazen also discussed the parallels between Ninetales in this episode and the concept of a "kaidan," Japanese word meaning a ghost story despite not being about a ghost, remarking that it would resonate with Japanese children familiar with the story of Hachiko.[31]

Alolan Ninetales has been generally well received, considered among the best Alolan Pokémon by critics. USA Today writers Cian Maher and Ryan Woodrow praised Ninetales' Alolan design, noting how frequently it appears in "anything Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company ever decide to do."[32] Maher felt that it was one of the series' most popular Pokémon, and expected that this would not change anytime soon.[33] Commenting on its design, they stated that it seemed impossible for Ninetales to "do any wrong," and that it was "still as graceful as ever" in its Alolan redesign and how both forms are "everything a Pokémon should strive to be."[32] Woodrow felt that the original Ninetales design was superior, but felt that it was a successful attempt at a regional form, arguing that it kept what worked about Ninetales and taking it in a different direction by changing the fur color and giving it an "almost magical aura."[34] Alolan Ninetales' usefulness in competitive Pokémon has been commended, with Inverse writer Jessica Famularo believing it fit well on offensive teams.[35] Inside Gamer writer Wes Rijckaert considered it among the best Pokémon introduced in Sun and Moon, appreciating how much more useful it is with its new typing, particularly with how it makes it strong against Dragon-type Pokémon.[36] Destructoid writer Marcel Hoang suggested it was a powerful Pokémon for use in battling, in particular thanks to its Aurora Veil move and Snow Warning ability.[37]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kuroda, Takanori. グラフィックデザイナー・イラストレーター にしだあつこ対談 [A Conversation With Graphic Designer and Illustrator Atsuko Nishida]. Fun's Project (in Japanese). p. 2. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b ピカチュウは大福？ 初めて明かされる誕生秘話 [Is Pikachu Daifuku? The Secret Story Behind its Creation Revealed for the First Time]. Yomiuri (in Japanese). May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024. English transcript of interview available at "Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu". Pokemon.com. July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Ken Sugimori Works (in Japanese). Tankobon Softcover. January 2014. pp. 342–343. ISBN 9784198638061.
  4. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (December 25, 2016). "Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN 9780520938991.
  6. ^ Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook. Scholastic Inc. July 28, 2015. p. 5. ISBN 9780545795661.
  7. ^ Morrissy, Kim. "Pokémon Designers Reflect on History of Eevee's Design". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "Origenes Pokémon: Ninetales y los Kitsune". Revista Oficial Nintendo (in Spanish). No. 316. p. 81.
  9. ^ "Pokemon of the Day: Ninetales". IGN. October 17, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Slackie, Kevin; Taveras, Moises (September 10, 2024). "The 150 Best Pokémon". Paste. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Shinkle, Ky (September 14, 2022). "How Alolan Ninetales Is Different From All Other Pokémon". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Lada, Jenni (November 23, 2016). "How To Use Pokémon Sun's Exclusives Competitively Against In-Game Enemies". Siliconera. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Loveridge, Sam (October 20, 2016). "Want to know how The Pokémon Company designs Pokémon?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Miller, Staci (April 26, 2023). "Pokemon: Every First Gen Fire Pokemon, Ranked". Game Rant. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  15. ^ Kurland, Daniel (May 13, 2024). "Which Pokémon Are Exclusive To Red & Blue, Explained". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  16. ^ Archer, Callum (March 18, 2021). "Pokemon: Every Member Of Blue's Teams, Ranked". The Gamer. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  17. ^ Donaldson, Alex (November 16, 2018). "Pokemon Let's Go Version Exclusive Pokemon: which Pokemon can only be found in the Pikachu and Eevee-themed games". VG247. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  18. ^ Lee, Julia (March 18, 2024). "Can Vulpix be shiny in Pokémon Go?". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  19. ^ Dwyer, Theo (December 13, 2023). "Cards Of Pokémon TCG: Obsidian Flames Part 27: Ninetails Illustration". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  20. ^ Dwyer, Theo (July 18, 2022). "The Cards Of Pokémon TCG: Lost Thunder Part 34: Ninetails, Mimikyu". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  21. ^ Baird, Scott (March 15, 2020). "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Story Explained". TheGamer. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  22. ^ Roberts, Evangeline Mae (December 1, 2018). ""Welcome to the world of Pokémon!": music and the player's experience in Chunsoft's Pokémon Mystery Dungeon". NC Docks. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  23. ^ Cartwright, Jon (April 30, 2021). "How To Find Gardevoir And Ninetales In New Pokémon Snap". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Rath, Robert (November 1, 2012). "Cuddly Pokemon and the Demons That Spawned Them". The Escapist. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  25. ^ Steimer, Kristine. "Ninetales". IGN. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  26. ^ "Pokemon of The Day: Ninetales (#38)". IGN. November 6, 2009. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  27. ^ Olney, Alex (December 25, 2021). "Feature: We've Ranked All 151 Gen 1 Pokémon And It Nearly Killed Us". NintendoLife. Event occurs at 33:37. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023. (video archive)
  28. ^ Schutze, Katie (April 27, 2024). "10 Best Pokémon Designs From Red & Blue, Ranked". Comic Book Resource. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  29. ^ Sarkisian, Jacob (September 8, 2021). "Early 'Shang-Chi' audiences mistakenly thought there were 'a couple of Pokémon characters' in the movie, according to Marvel boss Kevin Feige". Business Insider. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  30. ^ Alché, Kevin Díaz (November 2019). Martinez, Mario-Paul and Fran Mateu (ed.). In a Stranger Field. Studies of Art, Audiovisuals and New Technologies in Fantasy, SciFi and Horror Genres. Asociacion de Desarrollo Y Difusion Del Genero Fantastico “Unicornio Negro”. p. 52. ISBN 9788409163007. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  31. ^ Drazen, Patrick (2011). A Gathering of Spirits: Japan's Ghost Story Tradition. iUniverse. pp. 98, 99, 100. ISBN 978-1-4620-2943-3. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Maher, Cian; Woodrow, Ryan (December 15, 2022). "The top ten Fairy Pokémon, ranked". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  33. ^ Maher, Cian (January 17, 2022). "The top ten Fire Pokémon, ranked". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  34. ^ Woodrow, Ryan (September 22, 2022). "The top ten Ice Pokémon, ranked". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  35. ^ Famularo, Jessica (December 5, 2016). "The Best New Pokémon to Watch in the Competitive Scene". Inverse. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  36. ^ Rijckaert, Wes (2016). "Pokémon Sun en Moon – De beste nieuwe pokémon uit Alola". Inside Gamer. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  37. ^ Hoang, Marcel (November 22, 2016). "Pokemon Sun and Moon's most wanted". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
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