Why is the height consistency so terrible in Dragon Ball Z?

[sonikku956]

I remember reading something (forgot where) that most of the characters are all under 6'2 (excluding Piccolo). The only characters that I know height of are Son Gokuu (5'7), Krillin (5'0), Vegeta (5'3), Tenshinhan (6'1), Yamcha (6'), Bulma (5'4) Chichi (5'4) and Chaozu (4'6). Now the characters do not look this way in the series. I was watching the Namek/Freeza saga and I noticed that there should be only a 3 inch difference between Vegeta and Krillin. However, the height difference between them kept rising and sinking with each episode. The second DBZ intro has Yamcha, Krillin and Tenshinhan looking short compared to Gokuu (especially Krillin).

Any ideas why? Is this just a constant animation error?

EDIT: Also, if they can, can someone post an official height list?

[OzzyApu]

Any ideas why? Is this just a constant animation error?

As far as guesses go, that's mine. Seems like the most logical reason for error.

[dbgtFO]

For the record Goku is 175 cm - about 5.74 feet, which is sometimes mistakenly assumed to be about the same as 5'7, but it's actually about 5'9.

There is an old thread on this board, where height charts from the anime staff were posted(on the second page). You can see the topic here: http://www.kanzenshuu.com/forum/viewtop ... 5409&hilit

In Herms' thread about the SEG Character Volume, the main characters' official heights are listed.

The height differences given later on in supplemental material in many cases just don't match, what we are shown in the actual series manga or anime.
As an example we have Goku and Tenshinhan, who are only supposed to be about 4-5 inches apart, but looking at some shots at the 23rd TB, where they stand right next to eachother and we see their entire bodies, it looks like they are over double that.

[OzzyApu]

Doesn't the same thing (height and size inconsistencies) occur with items, too? Future Trunks' sword you can see in multiple episodes changing shape. When he has it sheathed, it looks fine, but when someone like Cold is holding it, then thing is gigantic.

[sonikku956]

Doesn't the same thing (height and size inconsistencies) occur with items, too? Future Trunks' sword you can see in multiple episodes changing shape. When he has it sheathed, it looks fine, but when someone like Cold is holding it, then thing is gigantic.

I always questioned that.

[mysticboy]

Different animation teams.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

Different animation teams.

Well, Toriyama isn't exactly consistent himself, so the various animation teams shouldn't take all the heat.

[Jackal puFF]

Yeah I notice sometimes that Piccolo is sometimes shorter than he should be when standing around the other fighters. Sometimes Vegeta was pretty tall.

[Beatrice]

Sometimes I'd wonder if it was my own mind playing tricks on me with the variations from episode to episode with character heights. I must admit though, I love seeing people pick this kind of stuff apart.

It's funny though, is it really that hard to keep heights consistent?

[dario03]

I think Piccolo and Vegeta vary the most, if Goku is 5'9" then Vegeta seemed to be any where from ~4'9" to ~5'5" and Piccolo any where from 6'3" to 7'6". I think Piccolo is supposed to be 7'4" but really he looks about 6'6" most of the time.

[OzzyApu]

I think Piccolo and Vegeta vary the most, if Goku is 5'9" then Vegeta seemed to be any where from ~4'9" to ~5'5" and Piccolo any where from 6'3" to 7'6". I think Piccolo is supposed to be 7'4" but really he looks about 6'6" most of the time.

Quite so for Piccolo:

Pic 1: 6'3'' -ish
Pic 2: 7'6'' -ish (Gohan is pretty much the same height as Goku)

[Jackal puFF]

I think Piccolo and Vegeta vary the most, if Goku is 5'9" then Vegeta seemed to be any where from ~4'9" to ~5'5" and Piccolo any where from 6'3" to 7'6". I think Piccolo is supposed to be 7'4" but really he looks about 6'6" most of the time.

Quite so for Piccolo:

Pic 1: 6'3'' -ish
Pic 2: 7'6'' -ish (Gohan is pretty much the same height as Goku)

I knew it! It would be great if there was a heights error image thread.

[Fox666]

I think Piccolo and Vegeta vary the most, if Goku is 5'9" then Vegeta seemed to be any where from ~4'9" to ~5'5" and Piccolo any where from 6'3" to 7'6". I think Piccolo is supposed to be 7'4" but really he looks about 6'6" most of the time.

Quite so for Piccolo:

Pic 1: 6'3'' -ish
Pic 2: 7'6'' -ish (Gohan is pretty much the same height as Goku)

Due to perspective, the first image is not necessairly an error.

[SHINOBI-03]

Other examples of height inconsistencies in both the manga and anime

Kuririn is a head shorter than Goku when he's next to him



But appears too short when he walks to Raditz



And now he's Gohan height



Badassery makes a character taller.




reply 2266

[Fox666]

Ignoring Yamcha, Kuririn's height next to Gohan's seems right.

[OzzyApu]

Regarding my Piccolo examples:

Due to perspective, the first image is not necessairly an error.

How? I was referring to Piccolo's height next to Goku, not to the characters in the foreground. Piccolo is standing next to Goku, so I think the example is valid.

[Fox666]

We don't have any reference to determine Piccolo's location, since we can't see his feet. Technically, he could be at 1km away and be as large as a mountain.

[OzzyApu]

We don't have any reference to determine Piccolo's location, since we can't see his feet. Technically, he could be at 1km away and be as large as a mountain.

We actually do - same scene.

[Jackal puFF]

Those Krillin ones are great. He's practically Mini me size right there.

[Darkprince410]

While some of it can be attributed to legitimate error, I believe some of the circumstances are intentional just for dramatic effect. Most notably the scene with Kuririn walking up to Raditz (especially in the anime), it's done that way to make Raditz seem more imposing and dangerous. We have one of our "heroes" walking up to a figure that is towering over him, it symbolizes just how "giant" and dangerous he is.

One to a similar effect, but I think grossly over-exaggerated at the same time, is size difference between Goku and Nappa in this scene with Goku walking towards him before they begin their fight (it's right before he leads Gohan over to give him and Kuririn senzus). Given the focus change from Goku to Nappa, and the fact that Goku walks several more feet between when the focus shifting to Nappa and when Nappa actually tries to attack him (about 12 seconds passes between the start of this scene and Nappa throwing the punch), it suggests there's a significant distance between the two, and thus Nappa should be a giant compared to him.



Later on, we have this scene showing them actually close to eachother, we see that, while larger, Nappa isn't anywhere near as large as the earlier scene would suggest.