Hans

Hans^[2] is a character who appears in the theme song of SpongeBob SquarePants and some episodes in the series besides the theme song. He first appears in the episode "Suds."

Quick Answers

What role does Hans play in SpongeBob SquarePants?

Hans is a disembodied white hand, whose fingers are folded together. His sleeve can be presumed as part of a naval jacket. He has a German accent. He appears in the show occasionally, moving or obscuring characters or objects.

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Who portrays Hans in SpongeBob SquarePants?

Hans is portrayed by Peter Bennett, Bennett only portrays his hand, as he is preoccupied with work and was unable to reprise the full body of Hans on-screen.

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What is the first episode in which Hans appears in SpongeBob SquarePants?

Hans first appeared in the pilot, "Help Wanted", in the opening theme song.

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Description

Hans is a disembodied white hand, whose fingers are folded together. His sleeve can be presumed as part of a naval jacket. He has a German accent.

Role in series

SpongeBob SquarePants

"SpongeBob SquarePants Theme Song"

He can be seen briefly, handing SpongeBob his pants.

"Suds"

This episode marks Hans' first role in the series besides the theme song. He appears in cutscenes, where he uses SpongeBob and Patrick as cleaning tools. He uses SpongeBob to clean to cure him of his sickness, and he uses Patrick to clean as punishment for impersonating a doctor.

"Imitation Krabs"

SpongeBob realizes how he chose the wrong Mr. Krabs, and goes out to retrieve the real one, which he had covered with tartar sauce and served with fries. However, upon exiting the Krusty Krab to retrieve him, he sees that Hans is trying to eat him with a fork. Mr. Krabs keeps him at bay with a fry until SpongeBob grabs the cart and wheels him in, with Hans disappearing into the sky.

"Christmas Who?"

Hans appears in the live-action Patchy segment where Hans rings a bell three times to signify to Patchy that its time for him to open fan mail.

"The Smoking Peanut"

When newscaster Johnny sheds a tear, Hans appears with a tissue to wipe it away.

"Party Pooper Pants"

At the start of "Underwater Sun," Hans takes off like a rocket and lands in the ocean, next to SpongeBob's house.

"Clams"

Mr. Krabs, during his breakdown over losing his millionth dollar, sucks on Hans' thumb to ease his emotional pain.

"Model Sponge"

Hans is the hand that can be seen in the New Sponge commercial. He uses SpongeBob to scrub dirty surfaces. However, SpongeBob resists Hans when he wants to clean the grotesque toilet with him.

Later, when SpongeBob goes to work at the Krusty Krab again, Hans can be seen using the bathroom there.

"Unreal Estate"

He appears in SpongeBob's fantasies of him living in a banana, a hot pepper, and a chicken parmesan hero house with parodies of the show's theme song playing in each fantasy.

"The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom"

He appears in archive footage from the episode "Truth or Square."

"SpongeBob's Bad Habit"

He hypnotizes SpongeBob to cure him of biting his nails.

"Handemonium"

He helps SpongeBob and Plankton to stop the Chum Bucket glove from destroying Bikini Bottom.

"Something Narwhal This Way Comes"

He gives SpongeBob hillbilly clothes as he jumps into the air.

"Gary's Playhouse"

He sells ice cream to Patrick.

"SpongeChovy"

He delivers the pizza Squidward had ordered by opening the roof of the Krusty Krab and dropping the box onto the middle of the restaurant.

"Snow Yellow"

Hans tells the magical tale of Snow Yellow and the Seven Jellies, while in the third person view.

Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years

"In Search of Camp Noodist"

He appears in Sandy's imagination to take her drawing and present her a giant trophy. Hans is seen with a tuxedo sleeve here.

The Patrick Star Show

"The Patrick Star Show Theme Song"

Near the end of the intro, he picks up the Star house and pours the Stars into a mug.

"Chum Bucket List"

He appears during the "World of Friendship" song, where he is credited as a "guest star" and punches SpongeBob and Patrick out of school.

"Pat-per Route"

Patrick and Squidward deliver a newspaper to him.

"Swaptoberfest"

His likeness appears as one of Patrick's identity swaps.

"Pat Roast"

He carries SpongeBob to the stage and applauds for him.

Video games

SuperSponge (PS Version)

Hans is seen in the end of the intro for the game.

Revenge of the Flying Dutchman (GBA version)

Hans is seen Putting SpongeBob at the start of any level.

Battle for Bikini Bottom

He catches SpongeBob, Sandy, and Patrick if they go out of bounds or fall into an abyss, and places them back at the latest checkpoint. He is also seen in the GBA version, but as a rocket to get SpongeBob across.

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie video game

He serves the same purpose as he did in Battle for Bikini Bottom, catching SpongeBob or Patrick if they fall into an abyss. Also, whenever SpongeBob and Patrick drift off course, or fail to make it to a checkpoint or area on time when riding in a vehicle, Hans catches them and they respawn back on course to retry.

SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis (DS version)

He is seen in the minigame "Magic Treasure Ride," trying to block Mr. Krabs from getting money.

Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition

Hans is seen taking the player's character away whenever the player makes it to the end of a stage.

SpongeBob's Truth or Square (DS version)

Hans is seen in the mini-game "Buns-a-Blazin," where he is seen taking the ingredients for the Krabby Patty.

Deep Freeze Freak Out

Hans can be seen giving the player an ice cube to throw at SpongeBob and Plankton.

Pian-Oh-No!

Hans appears to squish Plankton throughout the game.

Tighty Whitey Tumble

Hans appears to give SpongeBob a wedgie.

Battle for Bikini Bottom: Rehydrated

He does the same as in the original Battle for Bikini Bottom.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl/Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Hans places SpongeBob on the stage at the beginning of matches.

Trivia

• In the "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!" theme song, Hans is replaced with Santa Claus' hand.
• His name is a play on the word "hands."

• In many translations of "Hans" throughout the show's history, his name remains the same. This however means Hans' name does not pun on anything in the translations.
  • In the Croatian dub, Hans' name is "Rukavina," which is a common Croatian surname, which translates to a diminutive form for the word "sleeve."
• While he is usually a live-action character, the episode "Handemonium" has him animated for a moment when he's caught on the merry-go-round and spins around, marking his first animated appearance in the series.
• Hans inconsistently switches between a right hand and a left hand throughout the series.
• Unlike the other characters, Hans' face and body is never shown.
• Hans was portrayed by the late Peter Bennett; Bennett only portrayed his hand, as he was preoccupied with work and was unable to reprise the full body of Hans on-screen.
  • However, since Bennett's death in May 2024, it is unknown who will portray Hans in future episodes, or if the show will just reuse Bennett's hand from previous episodes.
• The Kamp Koral Theme Song is, so far, the only theme song in the franchise where Hans doesn't appear.

References