Nidorino is a light purple, quadruped Pokémon. It has several darker purple patches across its body. It has large, spiny ears with teal insides, narrow black eyes, and a long snout with two pointed teeth protruding from the upper jaw. It has a ridge of toxic spines on its back and a long, pointed horn on its forehead. The horn is harder than a diamond and capable of secreting poison on impact. Its short legs have three claws on each foot. This is a male only species; the female counterpart is Nidorina.
Nidorino is independent and fierce, often described as violent and easily angered. It uses its ears to check its surroundings. If it senses a hostile presence, all the barbs on its back bristle up at once, and it challenges the foe with all its might. Nidorino live in hot savannas and plains.
In the main series
Major appearances
Nidorino debuted in the first episode, where he was seen battling a Gengar in a battle that Ash was watching on TV. Thus, Nidorino and Gengar were the very first Pokémon to be seen in the anime, excluding the intro.
A Nidorino appeared in Fire and Ice, where Ash battled him during the Pokémon League. He reappeared in a flashback in Friends to the End.
A Nidorino appeared in Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?, under the ownership of Ralph. Nicknamed Tony, he evolved from Nidoran♂ after battling Team Rocket and kissing Emily's Nidoran♀, nicknamed Maria.
A Nidorino appeared in The Heartbreak of Brock, under the ownership of Temacu. He was seen taking a stroll with her Nidorina.
Minor appearances
Multiple Nidorino appeared in The Flame Pokémon-athon!, where they were seen at the Laramie Ranch.
Two Nidorino appeared in the banned episode EP035, with one appearing in a flashback.
A Nidorino appeared in A Chansey Operation, where he was one of the injured Pokémon brought to the clinic.
A Nidorino appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
A Trainer's Nidorino appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back as one of the Pokémon Mewtwo defeated while serving for Giovanni.
A Nidorino appeared in The Power of One, where he was among the numerous Pokémon who sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A Nidorino appeared in A Tent Situation, where he was seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Nidorino appeared in Tricks of the Trade as one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Palmpona.
Two Nidorino appeared in The Legend of Thunder!.
Multiple Nidorino appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.
A Nidorino appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 1 and Part 2.
A Nidorino appeared in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
A Nidorino appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
A Nidorino appeared in Mewtwo's flashback in Genesect and the Legend Awakened.
A Trainer's Nidorino appeared in Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, where he was seen at Old Shore Wharf.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP100
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Nidorino
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Ash's Pokédex
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Nidorino, the Poison Pin Pokémon. The evolved form of the male Nidoran. Its highly developed horn is extremely powerful.
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In Pokémon Origins
Two Nidorino appeared in File 1: Red. One of them was seen in Professor Oak's introduction, while the other was seen battling a Gengar.
In Pokémon Generations
A Nidorino appeared in the game intro-like opening sequence for The Adventure, where it was battling a Gengar.
- Nidorino is one of the first two Pokémon to appear in a Pokémon battle both in the anime and in the games. The other is Gengar. This is due to their appearance in the opening animation of Pokémon Red and Green, on which the beginning of the first anime episode was based on, as well as the remakes.
- It is also the first Pokémon to be both seen and captured in Pokémon Adventures, in much the same way.
- Nidorino, along with Gengar (and, possibly, other Pokémon), originate from the old manga, Capsule Monsters, which is considered the ancestor to the Pokémon franchise.
- The Nidorino that appears in Professor Oak's introduction in Pokémon Red and Blue has the cry of a Nidorina.
- Nidorino's Shiny coloration is the same as Nidorina's normal coloration. Likewise, Nidorina's Shiny coloration matches Nidorino's normal coloration.
- Nidorino shares its category name with Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, Nidorina, Poipole, and Naganadel. They are all known as the Poison Pin Pokémon.
Origin
Nidorino appears to be based on a rhinoceros, porcupine, rabbit, mouse, or even a hamster, as seen by their aggressive and independent nature.
Name origin
Nidorino may be a combination of needle and rhinoceros. Nido may also be based on cnidocyte, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably by jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 ni (two) or 二度 nido (two times/two degrees), referring to the two distinct evolutionary lines using the name with similar names and traits. Rino likely alludes to its male gender; in some languages, such as Spanish, names and words ending in o are an indication to the male gender.