Foxes and fox spirits--also known as kitsune--are ubiquitous characters in the realm of Japanese mythology. So it should come as little surprise that one of the most popular franchises in recent gaming history--Pokemon, which originated in Japan--likewise features some crafty vulpines of its own. The original two Pokemon games, Red Version and Blue Version, released in the U.S. in 1998, featured 151 distinct creatures to tame and train. Among the cast are two fox-like Pokemon, Vulpix and Ninetales, that sport several mythological influences.

Vulpix (on the left), and its evolutionary form Ninetales (right), are inspired by mythical kitsune (Pokemon Red..., np).

Pokemon are known for their ability to "evolve" (essentially "growing up") into bigger, more powerful creatures. Vulpix, once exposed to certain conditions, has the ability to become Ninetales. It's like a child eventually becoming an adult, but it happens at a much faster pace. However, there may be more significance in Vulpix becoming Ninetales than at first glance. As Stephen Addiss writes about mythical foxes, "The white color of the fox suggests that it is more than 500 years old, the time it takes for a fox to change from red to white. At this age it is capable of transforming itself into anything it chooses, and has numerous supernatural powers" (135). Interestingly enough, Vulpix, a young fox, is reddish in color, and when it ages, its fur becomes white, as evidenced by the above image of Ninetales. This follows the mythical description of foxes rather closely.

Another interesting aspect is that of the fire element. Michael Ashkenazi writes, "Foxes, particularly the envoys of Inari, were also reputed to carry a ball of fire about with them, with which they could both enchant and be enchanted" (148). Both Vulpix and Ninetales are fire-based Pokemon and are able to use fiery attacks--essentially a form of aggressive enchantment. Addiss also adds, "Kitsune bi (fox fire) is the term for a light made by foxes to lead a man astray from the road on which he is traveling...[this] is known to Western culture as a will-o'-the-wisp" (137).

Ando Hiroshige, Fox Fire (detail).

The Pokemon games make use of this idea, too, as one particular attack Vulpix and Nintetales can utilize is called "Will-O-Wisp," which imposes a "burn" status on the opponent (Pokemon Ruby..., np). The visuals of the attack are also very similar to the smoky will-o'-the-wisps found in the above art by Ando Hiroshige.