The Origins of 10 Tiger Pokemon & the Legends They Came From

Tigers are the biggest cats in the world, and Pokemon mostly left them alone. Ten Pokemon borrow something from the tiger. Most of them breathe fire or throw lightning.

See all 10 tiger Pokemon in one list.

Here are the origins of the 10 tiger Pokemon:

All 10 Tiger Pokemon

#058

Growlithe

Growlithe, the Puppy Pokemon, is a dog with the stripes and coloring of a tiger. It may be based on the shisa and komainu, the lion-dog guardian statues of Okinawa and Japan, and it may also draw on dogs with brindle, or "tiger-striped", coats such as the Kai Ken.

Growlithe patrol their territory in pairs. Its Intimidate ability lowers the Attack of opposing Pokemon when it enters battle, and an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle. It stands 0.7 m tall and weighs 19 kg.

#059

Arcanine

Arcanine has the same tiger stripes and coloring as Growlithe. It could also be based on the xiezhi, a mythical fire-eating dog with similarities to lions and tigers, or on the Chinese guardian lion.

It snaps at its foes with fangs cloaked in blazing flame. Despite its bulk, it deftly feints every which way and all but dances around its opponents. It stands 1.9 m tall and weighs 155 kg.

#125

Electabuzz

Electabuzz is based on the Japanese oni, a horned hairy ogre that wears tiger skin as clothing and sometimes has powers of thunder and lightning. Its tail resembles that of a tiger.

During sudden showers beneath looming thunderclouds, Electabuzz scales tall trees and waits for lightning to strike. Its Static ability has a 30% chance of paralyzing any Pokemon that hits it with a contact move.

#243

Raikou

Raikou is partially based on a tiger, and its long upper fangs bear a resemblance to those of Smilodon, the extinct feline often called the saber-toothed tiger. Its legend comes from the Brass Tower: Raikou and its Electric type represent the lightning that struck the tower, while Entei represents the fire that burned it and Suicune the rain that put it out.

An earlier design gave it a drum on its back, which may hint at Raijin, the god of lightning and thunder who carries taiko drums to make the sound of thunder. The purple cloud on its back may also tie it to the Nue, a chimeric creature with the limbs of a tiger that travels with black clouds. Raikou embodies the speed of lightning, and its roars shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down.

#432

Purugly

Purugly, the Tiger Cat Pokemon, may be based on an overweight tabby cat. Its legend is the nekomata, a type of cat-based yokai, and the way it binds its stomach with its tail is similar to a corset. Its head is shaped like a crescent moon, which may allude to the way cats are most active at dawn and dusk.

Though impudent and difficult to tame, Purugly enjoys great popularity due to its fur, the beauty of which surpasses even velveteen.

Its Thick Fat ability halves the damage it takes from Fire and Ice moves. Its hidden ability, a rarer alternative to the usual ones, is Defiant, which raises its Attack two stages whenever one of its stats is lowered. It stands 1 m tall.

#645

Landorus

In its Therian Forme, Landorus mostly resembles a predatory mammal such as a tiger or other large feline. The White Tiger, which represents the west and autumn, is a clear reference: in Hisui, Landorus roams the western Obsidian Fieldlands area.

When the incarnations of wind and lightning clash, Landorus arrives to quell the conflict, and the land is blessed with bountiful harvests afterward. Its Sand Force ability strengthens Rock, Ground and Steel moves to 1.3× their power during a sandstorm. It stands 1.5 m tall.

#725

Litten

Litten, the Fire Cat Pokemon, is based on mackerel tabbies, which are also called "tiger cats", and its coloration may be based on tigers. The stripes on its legs and the marking on its forehead come from the tabby. Its flammable fur oil may be a reference to the bakeneko, a Japanese cat yokai believed to drink lamp oil.

Trying to pet Litten before it trusts you gets you a nasty scratch from its sharp claws. It stands 0.4 m tall and weighs 4.3 kg.

#726

Torracat

Torracat, the Fire Cat Pokemon, is based on mackerel tabbies, or "tiger cats", combined with features of the actual tiger and possibly of other wild cats. When it faces a powerful enemy, its fighting spirit gets pumped up and its fire bell blazes hotter.

Its Blaze ability strengthens its Fire moves to 1.5× their damage once it is down to a third of its HP or less. It stands 0.7 m tall and weighs 25 kg.

#727

Incineroar

Incineroar, the Heel Pokemon, is based on a tiger. It also shares elements with a professional wrestler, and its category and Dark type bring to mind a heel, a wrestler who embodies vice. Its Shiny form may be based on a white tiger.

Its rough and aggressive behavior is its most notable trait, but the way it helps out small Pokemon shows that it has a kind side as well. It stands 1.8 m tall and weighs 83 kg.

#807

Zeraora

Zeraora takes its feline look from cats and tigers, and its Electric type may allude to Kanehekili, the Hawaiian god of thunder. Its design may also reference the oni, a supernatural creature often associated with tiger pelts and lightning, and its swift, slicing attacks may come from the kamaitachi. Its Shiny coloration may be based on white tigers.

Electricity sparks from the pads on its limbs, and wherever Zeraora runs, lightning flashes and thunder echoes. (Wherever we run, someone asks if we are all right.) Its Volt Absorb ability soaks up Electric moves and heals it for a quarter of its max HP.

Its Mega Evolution, a temporary in-battle transformation, splits the strip of fur on its back in two, which may reference the nekomata, a cat yokai whose tail splits into two once it gains its powers.

Eight of the 10 Tiger Pokemon Burn or Shock

Only Purugly and Landorus are neither Fire nor Electric. The tiger's lightning link runs through the oni, a horned ogre that wears tiger skin and sometimes has power over thunder. It sits behind Electabuzz and Zeraora, and Raijin, the thunder god behind Raikou, is often drawn as an oni too. Purugly takes the other road: its legend is the nekomata, the same split-tailed cat yokai that Mega Zeraora may reference.

Tiger Pokemon FAQ

How many tiger Pokemon are there?

There are 10 tiger Pokemon: Growlithe, Arcanine, Electabuzz, Raikou, Purugly, Landorus, Litten, Torracat, Incineroar and Zeraora. Only Purugly has tiger in its category, the Tiger Cat Pokemon.

What is the strongest tiger Pokemon?

Landorus and Zeraora tie at a base stat total of 600, ahead of Raikou at 580.

Is Raikou a tiger?

Yes, in part. Raikou is partially based on a tiger, and its long upper fangs resemble those of Smilodon, the saber-toothed cat.

Is Incineroar a tiger?

Yes. Incineroar is based on a tiger, with the look of a pro wrestling heel.

Is Zeraora legendary?

No. Zeraora is a mythical Pokemon, while Raikou and Landorus are legendary.