Entei is a Fire type Legendary Pokemon introduced in Generation II. It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokemon. Along with Raikou and Suicune, it is one of the Legendary beasts said to be resurrected by Ho-Oh after the burning of the Brass Tower. Out of the three beasts, Entei is said to represent the flames that burned the Brass Tower. Take a look below for 30 fun and fascinating facts about Entei.

1. Entei is a massive, leonine quadruped with some mastiff qualities.

2. It is covered in brown fur and a long, light gray cloud of smoke for a mane running along its entire back.

3. It has gray plates on either side of the mane and a plate beneath the cream belly fur on its chest.

4. Entei has gray paws with brown pads and black cuff-like bands on its legs.

5. Its main faceplate is red and shaped like fins or a six-sided star.

6. A gray plate, resembling a horseshoe mustache, covers its muzzle.

7. It also has a yellow crest with three sloped points on its forehead and red eyes.

8. As a whole, Entei’s head appears to resemble a kabuto.

9. An Entei is born whenever a new volcano appears. 

10. It is also said that whenever Entei roars, a volcano erupts somewhere in the world.

11. Entei races across grasslands at high speeds.

12. Entei, along with Raikou and Suicune, was designed by Muneo Saitō.

13. Entei shares its category name with Quilava and Typhlosion. They are all known as the Volcano Pokémon.

14. Entei’s number in the National Pokédex and the Johto Pokédex are the same: 244.

15. Entei has the highest base HP of all Fire-type Pokémon.

16. In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, playing Entei’s cry in the Pokédex then switching to Suicune or Raikou before the cry ends causes a distortion in the cries of Suicune or Raikou.

17. An unused event present in the data of Pokémon Gold and Silver (but removed from Crystal) allows for the player to obtain a level 40 Entei.

18. Entei’s effort value yield of 1 HP and 2 Attack is unique.

19. Entei may be based on Chinese guardian lions, or Lions of Foo, creatures that resemble fully grown male lions. They are often confused with canines and incorrectly called “Foo Dogs” by Westerners. Their original significance was serving as guardians (like gargoyles upon churches) at Buddhist temples. The image of a ferocious beast would scare intruders away. This correlates with Entei being seen as a guardian in the third movie, protecting Molly and her allies.

20. Like a real lion, Entei boasts a regal mane, long retractable claws, and a strong, bulky, yet agile body. Its face is short and bears resemblance to a lion’s skull — short and wedged, but with the unique flatness that ShiShi statues also bore. The yellow design on its head could be interpreted as a stylized crown or a Kabuto helmet. In China, the lion is regarded as a symbol of power and strength.

21. Lions are also popularly known as symbols of fire. However, Entei also resembles large short-muzzled dogs, such as a mastiff. Entei’s brown shaggy fur and white paws and muzzle are similar to a St. Bernard, a large dog known for its strength. Its lion-like appearance, mask-like face, and masses of fur make it look like the Balinese lion spirit Barong, a guardian spirit who kills the wicked witch Rangda in order to maintain the balance of good and evil.

22. Entei’s roar is known throughout the Pokémon world as a sign of a new volcano erupting, and a new Entei being born. Entei may also have some inspiration from the Aterui, the chief of the Emishi, who was later labeled as a demon called ‘Aka-gashira’ (Red-Head). It also has the appearance of a volcano, its head is volcano-shaped and has a bright yellow eruption-flame on the top, and the red magma is seen on the side of its face, it has volcanic smoke leaving from the back and has two spiky mountains on the back.

23. Entei may be a combination of enten (blazing heat) or en (flame, an alternate reading of honō) and kōtei (emperor). It can be written in kanji as (identical to the Chinese Yándì).

24. Entei debuted in Spell of the Unown: Entei. In the movie, an illusory Entei was a major character who appeared to Molly Hale after she made a wish on the Unown.

25. A Shiny Entei appeared alongside the other members of its trio and Celebi in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

26. Entei physically debuted in Entei at Your Own Risk. Nelson tried to catch it and used Misdreavus‘s Mean Look to prevent Entei from escaping, only for Entei to use Roar, enabling Entei to escape.

27. A Mirage Entei was used by the Mirage Master in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon.

28. An Entei appeared in a flashback in For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!.

29. An Entei made a cameo appearance in the opening sequence of Jirachi: Wish Maker, where it was seen in a volcanic area.

30. An Entei made a cameo appearance in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.