Size discrepancies in the animated series

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Aside from giant Pokémon, many Pokémon in the Pokémon animated series suffer from large size discrepancies between the information given in the Pokémon games' Pokédex and their actual animated presentation. These Pokémon are apparently "normal-sized" as far as the animated series universe is concerned. Many of Ash's Pokémon are often subject to size discrepancies, often appearing smaller than other Pokémon of the same species.

This may be a style or aesthetic decision, a depiction of juvenile Pokémon, a case of the writers not checking the information in detail, or for story purposes.

Some of the most notable size discrepancies will be noted below. This list is distinct from giant Pokémon.

List of Pokémon with size discrepancies

Pokémon Animated series Note
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur
2'04" (0.7 m)

Ash's Bulbasaur
In the animated series, it appears closer to 1'04" (0.4 m). This could be because the Pokédex's measurement of Bulbasaur includes its back bulb.
Venusaur
Venusaur
6'07" (2.0 m)

Venusaur in Grass Hysteria!
Venusaur's height varies appreciably in Grass Hysteria!, reaching 9'00" on one occasion.
Charizard
Charizard
5'07" (1.7 m)

Ash's Charizard
Ash's Charizard is taller, at about 7'00" (2.13 m) tall. Oddly enough, it is shown in Charizard's Burning Ambitions that Ash's Charizard is rather small when compared with the Charizard living in Charicific Valley.
Squirtle
Squirtle
1'08" (0.5 m)

May's Squirtle
May's Squirtle was shown to be unusually small, at about 1'00" (0.3 m). This may be due to Squirtle canonically being young in age.
Wartortle
Wartortle
3'03" (1.0 m)

Wartortle in The Pokémon Water War
Wartortle are generally shown to be less than their Pokédex height and slightly taller than Squirtle.
Blastoise
Blastoise
5'03" (1.6 m)

Cissy's Blastoise
In the animated series, they appear closer to 6'03" (1.9 m) tall. The one in Judgement Day! was nearly 7'02" tall.
Pidgeotto
Pidgeotto
3'07" (1.1 m)

Ash's Pidgeotto
In the series it appears to be only 2'04" (0.7 m).
Pidgeot
Pidgeot
4'11" (1.5 m)
Most Pidgeot were half as tall as their usual height in A Staravia is Born!.
Raichu
Raichu
2'07" (0.8 m)
Raichu are sometimes shown to be considerably shorter, not much taller than Pikachu, putting it at about 2'00" (0.6 m)
Nidoking
Nidoking
4'07" (1.4 m)
Nidoking are often shown to be a bit larger, at about 5'06" (1.67 m). The pink Nidoking seen in In the Pink was inconsistently sized, sometimes at his proper size, at others, shown to be larger, peaking at 6'11" (2.1 m).
Clefairy
Clefairy
2'00" (0.6 m)

Whitney's Clefairy
In the animated series, Clefairy are shown to be roughly the same height as Pikachu, about 1'04" (0.4 m).
Wigglytuff
Wigglytuff
3'03" (1 m)

Harley's Wigglytuff

Nurse Joy's Wigglytuff
Since their debut all of Nurse Joy's Wigglytuff are rather large, at about 4'03" (1.3 m), similarly to Chansey.
Golbat
Golbat
5'03" (1.6 m)

Brock's Golbat
Brock's Golbat is about 3'06" tall. Its wingspan varies throughout the series, peaking at 8'00" in A Hot Water Battle.
Vileplume
Vileplume
3'11" (1.2 m)
Vileplume are shorter than their normal height in Grass Hysteria! and Hi Ho Silver Wind!.
Meowth
Meowth
1'04" (0.4 m)

Meowth (anime)
In the animated series, they are seen to be roughly 2'07" (0.8 m).
Golduck
Golduck
5'07" (1.7 m)

Golduck in The Fire-ing Squad!
In Like It or Lup It! when it was standing near Ludicolo, it was shown to be about 3'03" (1.0 m).
Arcanine
Arcanine
6'03" (1.9 m)
In Battle of the Badge, Gary's Arcanine was shown to be considerably smaller, at about 3'03" (1.0 m).
Machamp
Machamp
5'03" (1.6 m)

Expert stonecutter's Machamp
In the animated series, Machamp are more commonly shown to be roughly 6'03" (1.9 m).
Weepinbell
Weepinbell
3'03" (1.0 m)

Weepinbell in Grass Hysteria!
In Grass Hysteria!, an aggressive Weepinbell is as short as Gloom and shorter than Sunflora. Later, many Weepinbell escaping from Team Rocket are as short as 1'03" (0.4 m).
Golem
Golem
4'07" (1.4 m)
They are often shown to be shorter, at about 3'04" (1.0 m).
Ponyta
Ponyta
3'03" (1.0 m)

Lara Laramie's Ponyta
In The Flame Pokémon-athon! Ponyta was shown to be as tall as Lara which is more like size of Rapidash.
Rapidash
Rapidash
5'07" (1.7 m)

Lara Laramie's Rapidash

Rapidash from Strategy Begins at Home!
In The Flame Pokémon-athon! Rapidash was shown to be much taller, almost twice its regular size.
Magnemite
Magnemite
1'00" (0.3 m)
Magnemite's size varies somewhat over time. Brock's temporary Magnemite in Camping It Up! is longer than usual Magnemite in the animated series.
Gastly
Gastly
4'03" (1.3 m)

Gastly from PK15
Gastly is often portrayed really small. This may be due to counting gas around its round body.
Haunter
Haunter
5'03" (1.6 m)

Haunter (anime)
Haunter in the animated series is always portrayed half its size, smaller than Gengar.
Gengar
Gengar
4'11" (1.5 m)

Ash's Gengar

Ash's Gengar
Sometimes Gengar appears to be larger. Even Ash's Gengar's size is inconsistent.
Onix
Onix
28'10" (8.8 m)
Brock's Onix seemed larger. Its head was more than twice Brock's height, which made it about 38' (11.7 m).
Exeggutor
Exeggutor
6'07" (2 m)
They are usually seen as larger, at about 10'10" (3.3 m)
Rhyhorn
Rhyhorn
3'03" (1 m)

Rhyhorn from Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!
In the animated series, Rhyhorn are shown to be roughly 4'07" (1.4 m).
Rhydon
Rhydon
6'03 (1.9 m)
They are often shown to be a bit smaller, at about 5'05" (1.65m).
Tangela
Tangela
3'03" (1 m)
Tangela are often shorter, such as in Pokémon Scent-sation! and From Cradle to Save.
Goldeen
Goldeen
2'00" (0.6 m)
They are often shown to be larger, at like 3'10" (1.2 m)
Electabuzz
Electabuzz
3'07 (1.1 m)
They are often shown to be taller, at about 4'08" (1.40 m)
Snorlax
Snorlax
6'11" (2.1 m)

Ash's Snorlax
Snorlax in the animated series are shown to be much bigger, at about 9'06" (2.9 m). The one who appeared in A Hot Water Battle was even larger, at about 12'10" (3.9 m).
Articuno
Articuno
5'07" (1.7 m)

Noland's Articuno
In The Symbol Life, it appears to be closer to 6'07" (2.0 m).
Bayleef
Bayleef
3'11" (1.2 m)
In the animated series, they are shown to be roughly 4'3" (1.3 m)
Sentret
Sentret
2'7" (0.8 m)

Sentret from A Battle by Any Other Name!
Its size varies, sometimes measured when it's standing on its feet or on its tail.
Noctowl
Noctowl
5'03" (1.6 m)

Noctowl in Fowl Play!

Ornithol's Noctowl

Noctowl is often half its supposed size. It appeared for the first time along with Ash's shiny Noctowl which is said to by slightly smaller. Later in the series it's portrayed much bigger, size of a human.

Ledian
Ledian
4'07" (1.4 m)

Benji's Ledian
One Ledian was closer to 3'06" and the other was even shorter in Mountain Time.
Quagsire
Quagsire
4'07" (1.4 m)

Quagsire from The Fire-ing Squad!
The animated series depicts them much smaller, roughly 3'03" (1 m). The Quagsire shown in Sticking With Who You Know! was as tall as Brock.
Forretress
Forretress
3'11" (1.2 m)

Forretress from Professor Oak's Pokémon Lecture
It is sometimes shown in the animated series to be 1'08" (0.5 m), including Brock's Forretress.
Dunsparce
Dunsparce
4'11" (1.5 m)

Dunsparce in The Dunsparce Deception
In Following a Maiden's Voyage!, they appear to be shorter than a Pidgey, which is 1'00" (0.3 m). However, this may also be due to the measurement being from head to tail instead, making the mistake slightly less drastic.
Ursaring
Ursaring
5'11" (1.8 m)

Ursaring from Butterfree and Me!
In the animated series, Ursaring are often shown to be about 6'11" (2.1 m).
Skarmory
Skarmory
5'07" (1.7 m)

Skarmory in Professor Oak's Pokémon Lecture
Skarmory is sometimes much larger.
Houndour
Houndour
2'00" (0.6 m)
In Hour of the Houndour, Houndour are shown to be larger, at least 2'11" (0.9 m).
Smeargle
Smeargle
3'11" (1.2 m)

Ilima's Smeargle
In The Art of Pokémon, it is shown to be 2'04" (0.7 m)
Blissey
Blissey
4'11" (1.5 m)

Nurse Joy's Blissey
Blissey was shown to be shorter, at roughly 4'3" (1.3 m).
Tyranitar
Tyranitar
6'07" (2.0 m)

Tyranitar in A Poached Ego!
Tyranitar are clearly more than 7'00 in most of their animated series appearances.
Grovyle
Grovyle
2'11" (0.9 m)

Ash's Grovyle
Grovyle appear to be much larger, being almost as tall as Ash.
Combusken
Combusken
2'11" (0.9 m)

May's Combusken
Combusken appear to be much larger, being almost as tall as May. This can be explained by its measurement excluding the feathers on top of its head.
Lotad
Lotad
1'08" (0.5 m)
Brock's Lotad appears much smaller even when measured by length in Gone Corphishin. This, however, may have been done for comical purposes of its dish.
Whismur
Whismur
2'00" (0.6 m)

Matt's Whismur

Whismur in Professor Oak's Pokémon Lecture
In A Poké-BLOCK Party!, a Whismur was around the size of 1'00" (0.3 m), and was notably not much larger than Max's head. A second Whismur appeared in Pinch Healing! and, while standing, came up to Max's neck.
Hariyama
Hariyama
7'07" (2.3 m)

Brawly's Hariyama
Brawly's Hariyama is extremely small for its species. In Brave The Wave!, it appears to only be around 4'11" (1.5 m).
Nosepass
Nosepass
3'03" (1.0 m)

Roxanne's Nosepass
In the episode Nosepass debuted in, Nosepass is far bigger than it is supposed to be, at about 5'06" (1.68 m) compared to the normal Nosepass.
Roselia
Roselia
1'00" (0.3 m)

Drew's Roselia

Mr. Shaw's Roselia
One of the more renowned changes in size is in Roselia, which are extremely small. However, the Roselia in the animated series come up to a 10-year old's waist. An estimate would put the animated series incarnation of them at about 3'00" (0.91 m) tall. This caused much confusion when Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon Adventures both featured the Pokémon at its actual smaller size.
Wailmer
Wailmer
6'07" (2.0 m)

Poké Ride Wailmer
Juan's Wailmer was about the same size as his Seadra in The Great Eight Fate!. The one in Leading a Stray! was shown to be more than twice the size of Ash.
Numel
Numel
2'04" (0.7 m)

Numel from Game Winning Assist
In Game Winning Assist, Numel is far larger, approximately as tall as Ash and May.
Torkoal
Torkoal
1'08" (0.5 m)

Ash's Torkoal
Ash's Torkoal was shown to be much larger, at roughly 2'07" (0.8 m).
Grumpig
Grumpig
2'11" (0.9 m)

Grumpig form Professor Oak's Pokémon Holo Caster
In An Oasis of Hope!, it is shown to be almost twice Wobbuffet's height of 4'03" (1.3 m), and around Jessie and James's height.
Corphish
Corphish
2'00" (0.6 m)
When eating Pokéblocks in Berry Berry Interesting, Ash's Corphish was as tall as Max.
Cradily
Cradily
4'11" (1.5 m)
Armaldo
Armaldo
4'11" (1.5 m)

Byron's Cradily and Armaldo
Both appeared to be closer to 7'5" in Byron's Gym in Dealing With Defensive Types!.
Snorunt
Snorunt
2'04" (0.7 m)

Ash's Snorunt
Ash's Snorunt appears much smaller when locked inside a box by Team Rocket. The same discrepancy occurs in Mean with Envy.
Glalie
Glalie
4'11" (1.5 m)

Ash's Glalie
Ash's Glalie is extremely small compared to others of its species, appearing to be closer to 2'00" (0.6 m).
Clamperl
Clamperl
'1'04" (0.4 m)
In the animated series, Clamperl are often shown to be a little bit smaller, like 0'10" (0.25 m).
Salamence
Salamence
4'11" (1.5 m)

J's Salamence
J's Salamence was much taller, at about 9', as shown in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1).
Metagross
Metagross
5'03" (1.6 m)

Tyson's Metagross
Tyson's seems shorter than this in Choose It or Lose It!, at 2'11" (0.9 m). Another Metagross appeared in Noodles! Roamin' Off! and shown to be taller even than James, about 6'03" (1.9 m).
Groudon
Groudon
11'06" (3.5 m)

Groudon in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
Just Groudon's face was five times as tall as Ash's Pikachu in The Scuffle of Legends. That makes its total height exceed 20'.
Staravia
Staravia
2'00" (0.6 m)

Ash's Staravia
Ash's Staravia was shown to be much taller, roughly 2'11" (0.9 m).
Staraptor
Staraptor
3'11" (1.2 m)

Ash's Staraptor
Ash's Staraptor is shown to be much taller than Ash, at about 5'03" (1.6 m).
Buizel
Buizel
2'04" (0.7 m)

Ash's Buizel
Ash's Buizel is shown to be a lot taller than that, about 3'03" (1 m).
Honchkrow
Honchkrow
2'11" (0.9 m)

Honchkrow fom Professor Oak's Pokémon Lecture
Paul's Honchkrow was shown to be much larger, at roughly 3'11" (1.2 m). Honchkrow from Professor Oak's Lecture is even bigger.
Happiny
Happiny
2'00" (0.6 m)

Brock's Happiny
Brock's Happiny was much smaller, at about 1'00" (0.3 m). This may be due to her hair being counted and making her taller.
Munchlax
Munchlax
2'00" (0.6 m)

May's Munchlax
May's Munchlax was shown to be much taller, almost as tall as Max.
Drapion
Drapion
4'03" (1.3 m)

J's Drapion
In the animated series, they are about twice that height, at about 8'06" (2.6 m).
Electivire
Electivire
5'11" (1.8 m)

Mr Electric's Electivire
In the animated series, they are closer to 6'11" (2.1 m).
Togekiss
Togekiss
4'11" (1.5 m)

Dawn's Togekiss
Dawn's Togekiss, in her episode debut, was shown to be slightly taller than Dawn. In all episodes since, she has been shown to approach close to her hip.
Gliscor
Gliscor
6'07" (2.0 m)

Ash's Gliscor

Ash's Gliscor
Ash's Gliscor in A Breed Stampede! is shown to be half that height, around 3'03" (1.0 m). This could be because the Pokédex measures Gliscor with its tail included.
Dialga
Dialga
17'09" (5.4 m)
Palkia
Palkia
13'09" (4.2 m)

Dialga and Palkia in The Battle Finale of Legend!
Dialga and Palkia were more than 25' in The Battle Finale of Legend! and The Rise of Darkrai.
Regigigas
Regigigas
12'02" (3.7 m)

Regigigas from Pillars of Friendship!
The awakened Regigigas in Pillars of Friendship was more than 20' tall when it revived the immobilized Titans.
Emboar
Emboar
5'03" (1.6 m)

Bianca's Emboar
Bianca's Emboar is shown to stand several heads above her, making it appear closer to 7'02" (2.18 m).
Galvantula
Galvantula
2'07" (0.8 m)
Galvantula appeared closer to 4'0" in Emolga the Irresistible!.
Beartic
Beartic
8'06" (2.6 m)

Brycen's Beartic
In the animated series, Beartic are smaller, at about 6'07" (2 m). This is difficult to tell in the picture due to Brycen standing on his toes and Beartic's hunched, bow-legged stance
Braixen
Braixen
3'03" (1 m)

Serena's Braixen
Serena's Braixen is shown to be much larger, almost as tall as Serena.
Froakie
Froakie
1'00" (0.3 m)

Ash's Froakie
Ash's Froakie was roughly 1'08" (0.5 m).
Fletchling
Fletchling
1'00" (0.3 m)

Grace's Fletchling
Grace's Fletchling is shown to be far smaller, at about 0'04" (0.1 m).
Tyrunt
Tyrunt
2'07" (0.8 m)

Tyrunt from Professor Oak's Pokémon Holo Caster
In the animated series, Tyrunt are depicted as being far larger than Pikachu, a species that according to the game is 1'04" (0.4 m). Tyrunt are shown in the animated series to be roughly 4'03" (1.3 m).
Brionne
Brionne
2'00" (0.6 m)
In the animated series, a Brionne was shown to be significantly larger, like 3'07" (1.1 m).
Pawmi
Pawmi
1'00" (0.3 m).
In the animated series, Pawmi is considerably larger, at about 1'04" (0.4 m).
Wattrel
Wattrel
1'04" (0.4 m)

Roy's Wattrel
In the animated series, Roy's Wattrel was shown to be significantly smaller than the ones around it's flock.

Related articles

This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.