| Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan | |
|---|---|
Hitmonchan (left) and Hitmonlee (right) National Pokédex Marowak - Hitmonlee (#106) Hitmonchan (#107) - Lickitung |
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| Series | Pokémon series |
| First game | Pokémon Red and Blue |
| Designed by | Ken Sugimori |
| Voiced by | Michael Haigney (Hitmonlee) |
Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, known in Japan as Sawamura (サワムラー Sawamurā) and Ebiwara (エビワラー Ebiwarā), are two Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. They were originally conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori. First appearing in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, they have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. The Japanese names are derived from the names of Japanese fighters Tadashi Sawamura and Hiroyuki Ebihara respectively, while the English names are derived from the names of martial artists Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
Hitmonlee, known as the Kicking Pokémon, has amazing balance, and can kick in any stance for long periods of time. Hitmonchan, known as the Punching Pokémon, can punch through a concrete wall by using its arms in a drill-like fashion. In Pokémon Gold and Silver, they are introduced to a pre-evolution, Tyrogue, and a third counterpart, Hitmontop. Tyrogue evolves into one of the three depending on the levels of its Attack and Defence stats. Since appearing in the Pokémon series, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan have been met with generally mixed reception. They have appeared in several forms of merchandise, including figures, plush toys, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
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Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan are two of several different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.[1][2] Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan were originally known as "Sawamura" and "Ebiwara" respectively in Japanese, which are based on Japanese kickboxers Tadashi Sawamura and Hiroyuki Ebihara respectively.[3] Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.[4] Similar to the Japanese names' origins, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan's names are derived from the names of martial artists Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan respectively.[3][5]
Hitmonlee, known as the Kicking Pokémon, is a humanoid fighting type Pokémon with no discernible head, instead having a face on his chest. Hitmonlee's legs freely contract and stretch. Using these springlike legs, it bowls over foes with devastating kicks. When it runs, it can lengthen its legs to run more smoothly.[6] Its kicks are very powerful, as the sole of its heel can be as hard as a diamond.[7] With amazing balance, it can kick in any stance for long periods of time.[8] If its foe tries to get away, Hitmonlee will stretch its legs to take out the opponent.[9] To overcome fatigue after a battle, it rubs the muscles on its legs to loosen them.[10]
Hitmonchan, known as the Punching Pokémon, is a humanoid fighting type Pokémon with two natural boxing glove shaped hands as well as training clothes. Unlike Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan have heads with spiky ridges. It punches lightning fast, which makes it impossible to see.[11] It can punch through a concrete wall by using its arms in a drill-like fashion.[12] After three minutes of fighting, it needs to take a short break.[13] Spinning its arm before punching increases its strength.[14] The slightest touch of its punch could cause a burn.[15] This Pokémon has an indomitable spirit, and will never give up in the face of adversity.[16]
Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan first appear in the first Pokémon video game, Pokémon Red and Blue. After the player defeats the Karate King, they can chose to obtain either Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan.[17] It later appeared in several sequels, including Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and Pokémon Black and White. In Pokémon Gold and Silver, they are introduced to a pre-evolution, Tyrogue, and a third counterpart, Hitmontop. Tyrogue evolves into one of the three depending on the levels of its Attack and Defence stats.[18]
Outside of the main series, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan have appeared in Pokémon Pinball and the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games. Hitmonlee appears in Super Smash Bros. as a summon-able Pokémon who will perform a kick dealing a great amount of damage on whoever it hits.[19] In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Hitmonlee, together with Bronzong and Regigigas, are statues that came alive to battle the player in Aegis Cave.[20]
In Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan's first appearance, Team Rocket stole a Hitmonlee in order to compete in the P1 Grand Prix. It defeated Brock's Geodude, and a trainer named Anthony's Hitmonchan, before losing to Ash's Primeape.[21] A Hitmonlee owned by Corey was one of the Pokémon owned by that were captured and cloned by Mewtwo in Mewtwo Strikes Back.[22] The Hitmonlee clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns.[23] The The Legend of Thunder! special starts off with the main character, Jimmy, battling a Hitmonlee with his Typhlosion.[24] In Stage Fight, Hitmonchan was a major performer in a Pokémon show, where the plot was around a boxing match between him and a glove-wearing Machoke.[25] In Chikorita's Big Upset, a Hitmonchan was part of a group of Fighting-type Pokémon that roamed the streets of the city as a gang.[26] In Pasta La Vista, Ash and May were lent a fighting dojo's Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan to battle with.[27] A Hitmonlee appeared under the ownership of Barry, where it fought against Paul's Ursaring, and lost.[28] Hitmonchan also appeared owned by Elite Four member, Bruno; Orange Islands Gym Leader, Rudy; and Karate King Kiyo.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Hitmonlee first appears as a mysterious Pokémon aboard the S.S. Anne. Hitmonlee appears as one of Bruno's Pokémon, who destroyed Bill's house. Bruno explains that Hitmonlee's legs are so flexible, it's impossible to locate the position of its knees and attack them. Bruno also has a Hitmonchan which is capable of using Fire Punch, ThunderPunch, and Ice Punch at high caliber. Bruno remarks that Hitmonchan is like having three Pokémon in one. Hitmonlee was seen as one of Chuck's Pokémon. In the Gym Leader faceoff, it used Mind Reader and Reversal to turn Blue's tactics against him. Crystal is seen with a Hitmonchan, which is capable of blindingly fast punching attacks.
In Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, Gold borrows a Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan to use in a tournament.
Since appearing in the Pokémon series, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan have been met with generally mixed reception. They have appeared in several forms of merchandise, including figures, plush toys, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
In discussing the localization of Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan's names, author Joseph Jay Tobin praised the localizers' "keen sense of nuance", adding that while few Japanese or American children would recognize the references, they inserted them anyway, suggesting that this was done to attract a wider audience consisting of both younger and older players.[3] IGN noted that while they were not fans of Fighting types, Hitmonlee was an exception. While they say it is not great for a lead Pokémon, it's good for specialized situations.[29] They praised Hitmonchan as a reliable Fighting type, though less reliable than Hitmonlee.[30] In regard to their inclusion in Pokémon Stadium, IGN commented that Pokémon Yellow players would be excited to get Hitmonlee. They commented that it is less popular, adding that players likely did not pick it.[31] They specifically criticized its Special statistic, stating that it is so low that it would be difficult to recommend Hitmonchan over Hitmonlee.[32] In spite of Hitmonchan's somewhat negative reception from IGN, IGN editor "Pokémon of the Day Chick" commented that she did not understand the hate that Hitmonchan gets, calling it "quite the contender".[33] She described Hitmonlee as the "freakiest Fighting type to ever enter the fray", citing its lack of a distinguishable head, though noting that it seemed normal compared to Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver and beyond.[34] Joystiq editor David Hinkle called Hitmonlee "awesomely bizarre".[35] GamesRadar editor Carolyn Gudmundson listed Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan as a humanshape Pokémon, which they describe as an overused Pokémon design.[36] Fellow GamesRadar editor Brett Elston described Hitmonlee as a "useful creature", while praising Hitmonchan as a diverse Pokémon in spite of its disadvantages to Hitmonlee. He commented that Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan would be proud.[37][38]
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