Physiology
Gender differences
Hitmonchan is a male-only species with no female counter-part. However, its appearance at first led many people to believe that it was a female species because of the light purple tunic it wears.
Special abilities
Hitmonchan's most notable ability is its wide versatility in boxing--its major attacks are almost all punches, making use of the boxing gloves that protect its fists.
Hitmonchan are well-known for their capability of Template:M2, faster than bullet trains, that are impossible to be seen by the naked human eye. When doing this, it sometimes appears as if Hitmonchan is standing still, as the assault is too fast to be seen.
Although they have an extremely well-developed talent in quick, light blows, Hitmonchan can also throw power-packed punches. By punching in corkscrew fashion, they are able to punch through solid concrete in the same way as a drill.
Before making contact with a target, Hitmonchan will spin its arms to increase the power of its attacks. Both its speed and power punches slice the air, and are launched at such a high speed, just a slight graze by one can cause a burn.
Hitmonchan is the only known Pokémon that learns Vacuum Wave.
Behavior
It is widely said that Hitmonchan possesses the spirit of a professional boxer working towards the world championship. With an indomitable spirit pushing it to work harder, it never gives up, especially in the face of adversity. However, it usually needs a short break after each fight it takes part in.
Hitmonchan are known to casually practice and hone their abilities by launching unseen volleys of punches. Since they aren't normally found in the wild, it can be hard to determine their behavior without a trainer's influence. When under the possession of a trainer, however, a Hitmonchan will eventually take after the person, as most Pokémon do; it may become a hard worker, striving to become better, or it might fight for bad purposes without question.
Habitat
Hitmonchan are extremely rare in the wild, and have virtually never been seen. It is an urban species that would typically be found near cities or suburbs rather than in forests. But, some Hitmonchan have been known to train in the mountains or at facilities made for such work, such as an abandoned fighting dojo.
Diet
Main article: Pokémon food
Hitmonchan's first apperance was in The Punchy Pokémon under a trainer named Anthony. It was entered in the P1 Grand Prix, but ended up losing to a Hitmonlee stolen by Team Rocket because the match was sabotaged.
In Showdown at Dark City, it was one of the Pokémon owned by a Yas Gym trainer.
In Riddle Me This, Hitmonchan was one of the Pokémon shown in an exercise gym. Team Rocket tried to steal the group of Template:Type2 Pokémon, but were stopped by Ash and his friends.
During The Lost Lapras, it was owned by an obnoxious trainer that used it to attack a beached Lapras.
In Stage Fight, Hitmonchan was a major performer in a Pokémon show, where the plot was around a boxing match between it and a glove-wearing Machoke.
Rudy had one in Misty Meets Her Match.
In Chikorita's Big Upset, it was part of a group of fighting-type Pokémon that roamed the streets of the city as a gang.
Two Hits and a Miss featured a fighting-type dojo where one of the many Pokémon was a Hitmonchan.
In A Tyrogue Full of Trouble, Karate King Kiyo owned one and fought alongside it to break a rolling boulder. He later used it in battle to attempt to capture a wild Tyrogue.
In Gotta Catch Ya Later, one was used in battle by one of the Invincible Pokémon Brothers.
Another classic replay of the Hitmonlee versus Hitmonchan battle was performed in Pasta La Vista. A trainer named Kyle owned a Hitmonchan that was used in battle to decide the fate of his father's fighting dojo.
For other sprites and images, please see Hitmonchan images on Bulbagarden Archives.