The Pokémon world has always been rich with quirky creatures and unique designs, but even among these, Hitmonlee stands out. Known as the “Kicking Pokémon,” Hitmonlee, the 106th Pokémon in the Pokédex, has sparked an intriguing Mandela Effect, with many people questioning whether it always had arms. Interestingly, this isn’t a case of confusion but rather a recollection some fans genuinely believe to be true.
For context, in Japanese, Hitmonlee is called Sawamuraa, named after Tadashi Sawamura, a legendary Japanese kickboxer. This naming reflects the Pokémon’s martial arts theme and its emphasis on kicking abilities, aligning with the tradition of the Hitmon family being inspired by real-life fighters.
A Look at Hitmonlee’s Design
From its debut in Generation 1, Hitmonlee has always been depicted with arms. These arms, however, are not the most prominent part of its design. Slender and secondary to its massively emphasized legs, the arms often seem less noticeable. Hitmonlee’s entire fighting style revolves around its powerful kicks, so its arms appear almost like an afterthought.
A Genuine Mandela Effect
The Mandela Effect describes shared false memories, and in this case, many fans assert that Hitmonlee was originally armless. Unlike simple design confusion, this belief appears to stem from a shared perception of the Pokémon’s character: a focus on legs, kicking, and its otherwise minimalist appearance. The arms simply don’t align with the mental image that people associate with Hitmonlee.
Evidence of the Armless Hitmonlee Memory
1) Here’s a fan drawing titled 106 Hitmonlee, posted as far back as 2009, which depicts Hitmonlee without arms. You can view the image HERE.
2) A user on X posted, ‘I was so confident I knew what Hitmonlee looked like, and then I forgot he has ARMS! DO I KNOW WHAT POKEMON LOOK LIKE AT ALL?!’ along with the drawing below:
3) A Reddit user posted, ‘Hitmonlee without arms, I present to you Hitmonleg,’ alongside an image of Hitmonlee without arms. Perhaps this user was recalling what they remembered from their own experiences? You can view the post HERE.
4) In 2023, an X user shared, ‘Posting a very old clip where me, Ceci, and Fang all collectively believed Hitmonlee has no arms (and Koko drew Hitmonchan by mistake),’ along with a video featuring memory-based drawings of Hitmonlee. In the clip, one person can be heard saying, ‘We both have the same idea,’ as three of the four speakers agree, ‘No, he doesn’t have arms.’ The surprise comes when one of them reveals, ‘He does have arms,’ leaving the others in complete disbelief as they respond, ‘No way, he doesn’t have arms!’ Their reactions showcase genuine shock and amusement. You can watch the full clip on the X post HERE.
5) In 2021, this X user shared: ‘For some reason I was convinced that Hitmonlee had no arms… #pokemon’ along with a drawing of Hitmonlee from memory. In a follow-up reply, the user humorously added: ‘If you’re feeling sad, may I recommend trying to draw Pokémon from memory.‘ You can view the post HERE.
6) This X user in 2020 shared, ‘An attempt at drawing Pokémon purely from memory. Forgot all about Hitmonlee’s arms and most of what Gardevoir looks like haha #pokemon.’ If you examine the drawing closely, you’ll notice that Hitmonlee is depicted without arms, echoing the recollections of others who remember it similarly. You can view the post HERE.
7) In 2019, a Reddit user started a thread discussing a perceived change in Hitmonlee’s ‘visual appearance.’ Interestingly, several users in the comments expressed similar memories of Hitmonlee being armless, adding to the shared recollections around this Mandela Effect. You can view the post HERE.
8) Back in 2012, someone on a forum also recalled an armless Hitmonlee.
9) Here’s a comment from a YouTube video about Hitmonlee, where a user realizes that Hitmonlee actually has arms after watching it.
10) In 2011, another person was convinced that Hitmonlee didn’t have arms. See HERE.
11) This comment on a thread from 2006 clearly shows that the user believed Hitmonlee had no arms, while making it clear that Hitmonlee was their favorite Pokémon.
12) Here are some other sites we found through a simple Google search where people claim that Hitmonlee having no arms is a “Mandela Effect.” This one can be found HERE.
13) This one can be found HERE.
Possible Explanations Some Would Assume, But Still Not the Case
- Artwork
From the start, Hitmonlee’s official artwork, including the early designs by Ken Sugimori, clearly shows arms. They are slender, almost stick-like, which could contribute to why they go unnoticed. - Game Graphics
In early games like Pokémon Red and Blue, Hitmonlee’s pixel design include arms, though these are less defined due to graphical limitations. Modern 3D models highlight its arms, but their relatively small size compared to its legs keeps them less visually dominant. - Anime Appearances
Hitmonlee’s portrayal in the anime further solidifies its design. Even here, its arms are present but underutilized, making its legs and kicks the star of the show.
Why Does This Mandela Effect Stand Out?
What makes this case intriguing is that it isn’t about confusion or misinterpretation. Fans recalling Hitmonlee as armless are referencing a memory that goes beyond merely overlooking its design. The shared belief in Hitmonlee’s lack of arms points to how our memories can reshape facts based on associations. With its fighting style so focused on legs, the arms seem redundant, reinforcing the belief that they weren’t there.
We believe Hitmonlee once having no arms is the biggest Pokémon Mandela Effect yet—surpassing even the Pikachu Mandela Effect. This isn’t just about a small color change, like Pikachu’s tail, or a subtle name alteration, such as Onyx becoming Onix. No, this is something far more significant. We’re talking about a Generation 1 Pokémon now having a pair of arms that many people distinctly remember not being there before.
This might be the most dramatic visual design change associated with any Pokémon to date. While this Mandela Effect isn’t widely recognized yet, we believe it’s only a matter of time before it gains the attention it deserves.
What Do You Remember?
Whether you’ve trained a Hitmonlee since the days of Kanto or recently encountered one, this Mandela Effect opens the floor for an interesting discussion. Did Hitmonlee always have arms in your memory, or do you recall it differently? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
