Tails is a character from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and is a two-tailed fox who is Sonics best friend and sidekick. His name is a pun on "miles per hour". Tails was designed by Yasushi Yamaguchi, originally the main artist and zone designer for Segas Sonic Team, for an internal competition for a sidekick to Sonic). The character was inspired by a kitsune, a creature from Japanese folklore that could over time grow multiple tails). Tails is portrayed as a very gentle, comforting, and humble fox who admires Sonic and dreams of being just like him).