Espeon (Nekomata)

We keep going with Johto's Pokémon with Espeon (エーフィ), which is mainly inspired by the yokai Nekomata 猫叉 (lit. "fork-tailed cat"). The Nekomata are easily recognizable by their tail which splits in two and thus forms a kind of fork (the literal name). But above all the Nekomata is reputed to be vile and with many powers such as telekinesis, transforming into humans and even raising the dead... Some even claim to have already seen them perform ritual dances or levitate objects... The Nekomata is also part of a larger family of yokai, the Bakeneko 化け猫, which designates cats with paranormal powers (like the Manekineko 招き猫 the famous lucky cat).
I think you now see the link with Espeon..