Knuckles the Echidna debuted in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 1994 as the guardian of the Master Emerald on Angel Island and a rival to Sonic. Known for his strength, serious attitude, and gliding and climbing abilities, the character became a core part of the Sonic cast across games, cartoons, and comics. The manly version leans into that reputation for humor, exaggerating his toughness into a meme. It circulates on soundboards and in fan edits where a short, confident Knuckles moment is needed for comedic effect.