Anime is known for having characters of all shapes and sizes, from towering giants to pint-sized cuties. In a medium where exaggerated proportions are common, who claims the title of shortest anime character? There are many contenders for the spot, ranging from iconic protagonists to minor comic relief characters.
What Makes a Character “Short”?
When determining the shortest anime character, we have to establish what counts as “short.” Some characters are explicitly described or shown to be below average height within their respective universes. However, heights between anime series aren’t always comparable due to differing scales and proportions.
For this discussion, we’ll look at characters who are notably petite compared to most other cast members within their own shows. Very young child characters won’t be considered, as their height is expected to increase with age. We’re looking for characters whose short statures are distinctive traits, whether or not official heights are provided.
Top Contenders for Shortest Anime Characters
With the criteria in mind, here are some of the leading candidates for the title of shortest anime character:
Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
As the title character of Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric’s short height is frequently played for laughs. In a world of alchemy and magic, Ed’s sensitivity about his size provides comic relief and character development.
Officially Edward is 165 cm (5’5″) at the start of the series when he’s 15 years old. This makes him very short for his age, a fact that irks him to no end. His youth and below-average height are constant reminders of the challenges Ed faces.
Taiga Aisaka (Toradora!)
The fiery heroine of Toradora!, Taiga Aisaka, is nicknamed “Palmtop Tiger” due to her petite size. She’s undeniably one of the shortest high school students in anime, barely over 5 feet tall.
Despite her cute, doll-like appearance, Taiga has a feisty personality with a nasty temper. Her small stature contrasts with her outsized personality, subverting expectations. Taiga uses her compact size to comically exaggerate the space she takes up through force of personality.
Megumin (KonoSuba)
In the KonoSuba fantasy world, Megumin is distinguished by two traits – her maniacal love of explosion magic and her short height. Officially she’s 136 cm (4’6″) tall, which is remarkably tiny even taking her young age into account.
Megumin’s petite proportions are exaggerated through cartoonish visual gags. She’s sometimes depicted as comically small, like fitting inside a bag. Being extra small suits her childish personality and volatile magic skills.
Koneko Toujou (High School DxD)
As a first-year student in High School DxD, Koneko Toujou is one of the shortest characters in the ecchi fantasy series. Her canon height is 4’10”, putting her on the petite side of the spectrum.
Despite her youth and size, Koneko has superhuman strength as a devil. Her appearance hides her true abilities. Koneko’s quiet, reserved personality contrasts entertainingly with her hidden powers that emerge in combat.
The Shortest of the Short: Schierke (Berserk)
After considering major contenders, the title of shortest anime character goes to Berserk’s Schierke. The young witch’s approximate height is just 130 cm (4’3″).
As an apprentice magic user, Schierke’s extreme youth accounts for her tiny proportions. She is initially presented as a child before developing into a young teen mage across Berserk’s long run.
Schierke’s size reflects her vulnerability and lack of real-world experience. She depends on the protection of guts and others while she learns to control her powers. Over time Schierke gains confidence, but her diminutive stature remains a core part of her character.
Of the major height-related anime tropes, Schierke represents the ‘tiny mystic’ archetype. In shonen series, pint-sized mages emphasize the disparity between their outer appearance and inner magical talents. Schierke demonstrates this contrast through her epic but unassuming introduction.
Honorable Mentions
Though Schierke claims the title, there are plenty more absurdly short anime characters worth mentioning:
– Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer): As a petite demon girl, Nezuko’s exact height is unclear but she seems under 5 feet even when transformed.
– Anya (Spy x Family): The precocious 6-year-old Anya is probably around 3 feet tall, fitting the ‘tiny assassin’ trope.
– Wendy Marvell (Fairy Tail): The Sky Dragon Slayer Wendy stands at 4’2″ according to official stats.
– Kurisu Makise (Steins;Gate): Listed at 5’2″, Kurisu is the shortest adult female of the main cast.
– detective conan main character: Conan Edogawa is transformed into a child in Detective Conan, resulting in a height of around 3’5″.
Why Are Short Characters So Common in Anime?
What makes short characters so ubiquitous in anime? There are a few contributing factors:
– Exaggeration – Anime proportions are often caricatured or unrealistic. Tiny characters exemplify this through extreme shortness.
– Contrast – Characters with opposing body types and personalities play off each other. A pint-sized character contrasts with larger allies and villains.
– Archetypes – Common tropes feature petite characters like cute lolis and child mages. Writers utilize these established archetypes.
– Distinction – Unique heights help characters stand out with identifiable traits. A very short or very tall character is instantly memorable.
– Symbolism – Small statures can represent innocence, purity, weakness and similar qualities. It provides characterization through visual symbolism.
– Comedy – Comedic anime relies on exaggerated features for humor. Gags about short characters being tiny or unable to reach things are easy punchlines.
Short characters have enduring appeal in anime due to this potent blend of striking visuals, symbolic associations and comedic potential. They’re likely to remain a staple for years to come.
Conclusion
In the diverse cast of characters across anime, there are many with memorably short statures. But the title of shortest overall goes to Berserk’s young sorceress Schierke, no more than 4’3″ in height.
Her tiny proportions suit her mystical role and emphasize her dependencies in Berserk’s dangerous world. But Schierke eventually proves herself more capable than her size suggests.
Anime’s iconic short characters reflect iconic tropes like the fiery palmtop tiger and pint-sized wizard. But they always demonstrate how size isn’t everything when it comes to personality, determination and heroism.