Hitmonchan is a tan, humanoid Pokémon that is exclusively male and has no female counterpart. There are five blunt protrusions on top of its head, and it has structures resembling pads over its shoulders. It appears to be wearing a light purple tunic and kilt, as well as red boxing gloves and light purple boxing shoes. In between the tunic and kilt is a small, black area.
As its appearance suggests, Hitmonchan specializes in punching. It is able to throw punches that are too quick to be seen with the naked eye. Its punches are said to be as fast as a bullet train. By punching with a corkscrew motion, it is even capable of drilling through concrete. Even a light graze from its punches will result in a burn. However, Hitmonchan requires a break every three minutes while fighting. Despite the need for frequent breaks, it has an unwavering spirit and will never give up in a difficult situation. Usually found in urban areas, it is rarely seen in the wild.
In Generation II, Mach Punch was its signature move, but Tyrogue could still inherit it via breeding. Prior to Generation V, Iron Fist was Hitmonchan's signature Ability.
Evolution
Hitmonchan evolves from Tyrogue.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Main series
Major appearances
Hitmonchan debuted in The Punchy Pokémon, under the ownership of Anthony. He was entered in the P1 Grand Prix, but he ended up losing to a Hitmonlee stolen by Team Rocket because the match was sabotaged.
In The Lost Lapras, a punk used a Hitmonchan to attack a Lapras. When Ash and Pikachu came to Lapras's defense, Hitmonchan battled Pikachu, only for them to flee after Tracey appeared, sketched them, and began comparing them in terms of how they were trained. According to Tracey, Hitmonchan lacked exercise.
In Stage Fight!, Roger's Hitmonchan was a lead in a showboat performance about a boxing match between his character and a glove-wearing Machoke. It later fought against Team Rocket when they tried to steal the Pokémon on the boat.
In Chikorita's Big Upset, a Hitmonchan was a member of a gang of wild Fighting-type Pokémon. He knelt to Chikorita after she became the new leader by defeated her predecessor, a Primeape.
In A Tyrogue Full of Trouble, Kiyo's Hitmonchan fought alongside him to break a rolling boulder. Kiyo later used Hitmonchan in battle during an attempt to catch a wild Tyrogue.
In Gotta Catch Ya Later!, a Hitmonchan belonging to Kim of the Invincible Pokémon Brothers battled Misty's Politoed but was defeated. In Cerulean Blues, Kim used Hitmonchan during a battle against Misty's Staryu, which he lost on a technicality.
In Pasta La Vista, Kyle Hamm used a Hitmonchan in the battle to decide the fate of his father's fighting dojo. After Master Hamm broke his back, May stepped in for Kyle against Ash and borrowed the Hitmonchan.
In Solitary and Menacing!, multiple Hitmonchan were at the Fighting Dojo. The Karate Master used one of them to battle Bea, only for it to be defeated. Another Hitmonchan was given to Goh by the Karate Master. Goh's Hitmonchan has since made further appearances in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
Minor appearances
In Showdown at Dark City, a Hitmonchan was one of the Yas Gym's Pokémon.
In Riddle Me This, a Hitmonchan at the Pokémon Lab was targeted by Team Rocket.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Hitmonchan was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In To Master the Onixpected!, a video featured Bruno's Hitmonchan.
In Friends to the End, a Trainer's Hitmonchan attended the closing ceremonies of the Indigo League.
In Pikachu Re-Volts, a Hitmonchan was controlled by Cassidy and Butch via their Drowzee at Mandarin Island North.
In Misty Meets Her Match, Rudy's Hitmonchan was at the Trovita Gym.
In The Power of One, a Hitmonchan sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A Hitmonchan appeared in the Japanese credits of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
In Wired for Battle!, a Hitmonchan was in Muramasa's dojo. Another came up in his database, having belonged to another Trainer.
In Two Hits and a Miss, a Trainer's Hitmonchan was at a Fighting-type dojo.
In Beauty and the Breeder, a Pokémon Breeder's Hitmonchan participated in a Pokémon breeding competition.
In Extreme Pokémon!, a Trainer's Hitmonchan competed in the Extreme Pokémon Race.
In Enlighten Up!, a Hitmonchan belonged to a student at Slowpoke Temple.
In Johto Photo Finish, Gary's demonstration featured a Hitmonchan evolving from a Tyrogue.
In Saved by the Beldum, a Trainer's Hitmonchan competed in the Ever Grande Conference.
A Coordinator's Hitmonchan appeared in Channeling the Battle Zone!.
In Two Degrees of Separation!, a Hitmonchan was a character in a console fighting game.
In Glory Blaze!, a Trainer's Hitmonchan competed in the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition.
A Trainer's Hitmonchan appeared in I Choose You!.
A Trainer's Hitmonchan appeared in This Magik Moment!.
A Hitmonchan appeared in The Pendant That Starts It All: Part One, under the ownership of a student of Indigo Academy.
Pokédex entries
Pokémon Origins
Kiyo's Hitmonchan briefly appeared in File 3: Giovanni.
Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer
In the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer, a Trainer's Hitmonchan was in a town square in Pasio.
Pokémon Evolutions
In The Show, a Hitmonchan briefly appeared under the ownership of a Trainer watching the Kimono Girls' performance in Ecruteak City.
Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon
A Hitmonchan appeared in Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Monlee
Starting in Punching Poliwrath, Bruno was revealed to own a Hitmonchan that is capable of using Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, and Ice Punch at a high caliber.
In Slugging Out with Slugma, Crystal was revealed to own a Hitmonchan nicknamed Monlee in her capture team. He is capable of blindingly fast punching attacks. In Lively Larvitar, he was revealed to have been caught on Mt. Mortar, along with the rest of Crystal's main team.
In The Last Battle XIII, a Hitmonchan was sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
A Hitmonchan appeared in a fantasy in PSs1.
In Moving Past Milotic, a fantasy featured a Hitmonchan at the Battle Pike.
Multiple Hitmonchan were used by Team Galactic Grunts in Halting Honchkrow.
A Hitmonchan appeared in Out-Odding Oddish, under the ownership of a Pokéathlon participant.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
A Hitmonchan appeared in Let's Aim For The Goal!.
In Let's Use Fighting Type Pokémon!!, Gold borrowed a Hitmonchan to use in a tournament.
A Hitmonchan appeared in a flashback in Let's Fight For The Future!!.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
A Hitmonchan appeared in GDZ21.
A Hitmonchan appeared in GDZ51.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Multiple Hitmonchan appeared in Solitary and Menacing!. One was under the ownership of the Karate Master, while the others were seen in the Fighting Dojo.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
- Main article: Giovanni's Hitmonchan
Giovanni was revealed to have a Hitmonchan, which debuted in Finish Off Team Rocket!!.
A Hitmonchan appeared in Which One is the Real Clefairy!?.
In Clefairy's Under Training!!, Bruno used a Hitmonchan during the Pokémon League.
A Hitmonchan appeared in Demanding Tests at the Pokémon School!.
Kiyo has a Hitmonchan, which appeared in The Mysterious Underground Amusement Park.
A Hitmonchan appeared in Legend Of The Strongest Pokémon!!.
Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire
A Hitmonchan appeared in I Won't Let You Lead!!.
A Hitmonchan appeared in Pokémon New Year.
Pokémon Zensho
A Hitmonchan appeared in PZ07, under the ownership of the Dojo Master.