There's no shortage of video game franchises that have persevered for several decades while remaining relevant, yet Pokémon is a rare example where the property’s success and scope continues to broaden in ways that only enrich the franchise as a whole. Any franchise that’s as old as Pokémon experiences frequent changes, but Pokémon has remained fairly consistent in terms of its mission statement; even the different varieties of Pokémon haven’t strayed too far from their roots.
Some of the different types of Pokémon don’t receive the same love and excitement as others and Bug-type creatures are regularly dismissed. That being said, there are some exceptional Bug-type Pokémon that defy expectations in some major areas, such as the idea that all bugs need to be small.
10 Scyther And Pinsir Are Original Bug-Types That Still Make Their Mark (1.5m / 4'11")
There are nearly 1,000 unique Pokémon to consider, but some of the best designs have been around since the very first games set in the Kanto region. Bug-type Pokémon have been around since Generation I and Scyther and Pinsir are two of the more notable Pokémon from each of the titles. The bipedal insects are nearly five feet tall, which is a big deal for Generation I, and they feel like warriors more than bugs. Similar Bug-type Pokémon, such as Heracross and Vikavolt, also measure out to the same 4’11” height.
9 Genesect Is A Bug-Like Terminator And An Apocalyptic Danger (1.5m / 4'11")
One of the most interesting details about the Pokémon series is that the later games haven’t been afraid to create more ambitious and supernatural backstories for some of the more powerful Pokémon. Generation V’s Genesect is technically a Bug-type Pokémon, but it’s the Steel-type part of the equation that makes the frightening creature a real threat.
Genesect is turned into a living weapon by malevolent forces and its ability to travel through time makes it an even deadlier threat. Genesect is a respectable 4’11,” which isn’t huge for a robot, but is significant for a bug.
8 Pheromosa Is A True Queen That Looms Over Most Of Its Subjects (1.8m / 5'11")
Pokémon has slowly introduced multiple ways to experiment with gargantuan Pokémon, whether it’s through Gigantamax forms, Mega Evolutions, or the introduction of some creatures known as Ultra Beasts. Pheromosa is the most austere and proper Ultra Beast to come out of Generation VII’s Alola region.
Much like Pheromosa’s male counterpart, it’s both a Bug- and Fighting-type Pokémon, but Pheromosa is sleek and lacks a brawler’s physique. The elegant Pokémon is 5’11,” which means it's likely bigger than many Pokémon trainers, which is quite a disturbing thought since it's basically a giant cockroach.
7 Araquanid Is A Massive Spider That Could Star In Its Own Sci-Fi Disaster Film (1.8m / 5'11")
Some of the most inventive and fun Pokémon have been introduced in the more recent generations, and some absolute gems debut in the Alola region. Araquanid is a Pokémon that clearly draws inspiration from a water spider. It has an effective appearance and it stands out among the many Bug- and Water-type Pokémon hybrids. Araquanid is a perfect example of why it’s important to look at a Pokémon’s height statistics: Araquanid is 5’11,” which makes this spider nearly six feet tall. It immediately goes from a nuisance to a true terror.
6 Scizor Isn’t Just Stronger Than Its Bug-Type Past, It's Even Bigger (1.8m / 5'11")
One of the perks of the second generation of Pokémon titles is that these later installments featured several Pokémon that are new evolutions or pre-evolved forms of Pokémon that Generation I introduced. These additions and revisions to classic creatures is a fantastic idea and the Johto region is full of such experiments.
Scizor is a Bug- and Steel-type Pokémon that’s the evolved form of Scyther. Scyther is already a sizable hazard, but Scizor adds an extra foot to the deadly Bug-type Pokémon’s height and makes it 5’11”. Scizor sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, but it’s one of the biggest Bug-type threats.
5 Yanmega Is Over Six Feet Of Insect And An Absolute Menace (1.9m / 6'03")
Yanma and Yanmega are two Bug-type Pokémon that first appear in Generation IV's Sinnoh region and it’s easy to initially dismiss them as two of the many forgettable insect Pokémon that pollute the early installments of Pokémon games.
Yanmega resembles a dragonfly, so its Bug/Flying dual-typing makes sense, but what comes as a surprise is that this Pokémon is 6’03” tall. This makes Yanmega feel like a creature that’d be more appropriate in Jurassic Park. The idea of six-foot dragonflies attacking amateur Pokémon trainers is legitimately terrifying.
4 Golisopod Is A Destructive Urban Legend That’s Bigger Than Most People (2.0m / 6'07")
The later Pokémon titles do not mess around when it comes to introducing more ferocious Pokémon. Golisopod is a perfect example. The Hard Scale Pokémon is essentially an insectile sea creature — and the bane of many adventurers. The Bug- and Water-type hybrid from the Alola region typically resides in abandoned ships, which is a testament to the amount of space that this Pokémon needs at its disposal. Golisopod is 6’07,” well on its way to seven feet tall, making it a legitimate predator of the waters that demands proper strategy and a deep arsenal from trainers who go up against it.
3 Buzzwole Is Nearly Eight Feet Of Pure Aggression (2.4m / 7'10")
Regular-sized mosquitoes aren’t very popular creatures from the insect world, so the prospect of a 7’10” variant that’s also a bulked-up fighter is going to strike a chord with even fewer people. Buzzwole is a lumbering Ultra Beast Pokémon from Generation VII that showcases both sides of its Bug- and Fighting-type designation. Buzzwole proudly flaunts its strength against Pokémon as well as humans, and it’s always a sight. Buzzwole is literally referred to as the Swollen Pokémon in reference to its intimidating size. It’s easier to try to forget that this monster is actually a bug.
2 Scolipede Proudly Shows Off Its Eight Foot Tall Stature (2.5m / 8'02")
Scolipede is the sort of Bug-type Pokémon that’s the stuff of nightmares and feels like a design intentionally meant to freak out people who hate insects. Centipedes are no laughing matter, and neither is Scolipede, a Poison- and Bug-type hybrid from Generation V that’s 8’02” and loves to show this off. Scolipede naturally goes on its hind legs and functions like a cobra most of the time. It loves to be in a position of power, which is made all the more disturbing by the fact that this is ultimately an insect.
1 Centiskorch Is Nearly Ten Feet Of Fiery Centipede (3.0m / 9'10")
Each new entry in the Pokémon series attempts to outdo or improve upon the past in some way, even if it’s something as benign as a unique Bug-type Pokémon that’s a new level of dangerous. Centiskorch is one of the Galar region’s biggest threats and it stands at a very intimidating 9’10.” Centiskorch is also a Fire-type hybrid, which are usually some of the more powerful Pokémon. Centiskorch applies this literal firepower to its massive stature and it becomes a legitimate threat, not just in comparison to other Bug-type Pokémon, but to Pokémon and trainers everywhere.