Tangela is covered with thick blue vines that obscure its face so only its eyes can be seen. These vines are covered in fine hair, and they give it a round shape. It is unknown what it looks like without them. The vines are always growing, and can be replaced if lost or damaged. It has a pair of red boot-like feet, but no visible arms.
Tangela can ensnare and entangle anything that moves too close to it with its vines. The vines constantly jiggle and sway, unnerving enemies and deterring herbivores that might mistake Tangela for a shrub. Tangela's vines will snap off easily and painlessly if the target pulls on them, suggesting that the ensnaring is intended to scare off potential predators. Tangela can usually be found in grassy plains.
Major appearances
Erika used a Tangela during Ash's Gym battle against her in Pokémon Scent-sation!. It is a strong Pokémon that manages to use its vines and Stun Spore in order to incapacitate the opponent. In its battle against Ash, it managed to take out Bulbasaur by using this combination. Erika then recalled Tangela when Ash sent out his Charmander. Erika's Tangela also appeared in I Choose You!, which is set in an alternate continuity of the main series; it was seen battling Pikachu but was defeated.
An Officer Jenny owned a Tangela in Gulpin it Down. Tangela was used in addition to her Meganium and Parasect, to try to stop the massive army of Gulpin that was rioting around the town.
Minor appearances
A Tangela appeared in Pokémon Scent-sation! as one of the Pokémon in the Celadon Gym, separate from the one Erika kept as one of her battling Pokémon.
A Tangela appeared in The Kangaskhan Kid.
A Tangela appeared in Princess vs. Princess, where it was battling Brock's Vulpix during the Queen of the Princess Festival.
A Tangela appeared in It's Mr. Mime Time as one of the Pokémon in Stella's circus.
A Tangela appeared in Pikachu's Vacation as one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Theme Park.
A Trainer's Tangela appeared in Friends to the End during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
A Tangela appeared in The Power of One.
A wild Tangela appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
A Tangela appeared in Beauty and the Breeder, under the ownership of a Pokémon Breeder participating in a Pokémon breeding competition.
A Trainer's Tangela appeared in The Grass Route, where it was seen competing in the Grass Tournament.
A Tangela appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
A Tangela appeared in Throwing in the Noctowl as one of the Pokémon seen living at Wings Alexander's barn.
Multiple Tangela appeared in For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!, where they protected the Tin Tower after Team Rocket stole the Crystal Bells on the top floor.
A Coordinator's Tangela appeared in A Hurdle for Squirtle, where it was seen competing in the Saffron City Pokémon Contest.
A Tangela appeared in From Cradle to Save, under the ownership of a student at the Pokémon Ninja School.
Four wild Tangela appeared in Alola, Kanto!, where they were among the Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP026
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Tangela
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Ash's Pokédex
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Tangela, a Vine Pokémon. Its body is wrapped in vines. The rest of its form is hidden beneath these vines.
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Origin
Tangela is likely based on Medusa, a gorgon of Greek mythology, who had a head of snakes and turned any creature that saw her into stone. The tentacles on Tangela, however, are vines. Its Crystal sprite shows it curling into a ball, meaning it may also have design elements from tumbleweed or bird-cage plants. It may also be based on a Green Man, a motif that is represented as a face surrounded by leaves and vines.
Name origin
Tangela may be a combination of tangle and Medusa (referring to its vines resembling a snake hairstyle like Medusa's).
Monjara may be based on もじゃもじゃ mojamoja (shaggy or unkempt) or 毛むくじゃら kemukujara (hairy or densely covered in thick hair). It may also include monster.