How Tall is Kratos: An Evolution of the God of War’s Height
The height of Kratos, the iconic protagonist of the God of War series, is surprisingly complex and has changed significantly throughout the franchise. It’s not a simple answer, as his height has varied not only between games but also within them, influenced by narrative needs and design decisions. From his initial towering presence in the Greek saga to his more grounded portrayal in the Norse era, Kratos’s height evolution is a fascinating journey.
Kratos’ Height Throughout the Series
The most direct answer to “How tall is Kratos evolution?” is that his height is not constant and has gone through various iterations:
- Early Concept: Initially, early scripts positioned Kratos at 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m) tall.
- Greek Saga: Later, detailed animation and rigging work by Santa Monica Studios and Gnomon School revised his height to 2.34 meters (7 ft 8 in) in his Greek God of War saga. This version of Kratos was indeed a formidable, towering figure.
- Norse Saga: In the rebooted God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, Kratos was significantly reduced in height. Norse Kratos stands approximately 1.94 meters (6 ft 4 in) tall. He is most often cited as roughly 193 centimeters tall (6 feet and 4 inches) within this era.
- God Form: As a God, Kratos has the power to alter his size and has been seen growing to colossal proportions. Like Ares, he can transform into a nearly 500-foot tall giant, a power that is primarily exhibited in the original trilogy.
The Rationale Behind the Changes
The alterations in Kratos’ height are not arbitrary. They are rooted in design choices and thematic changes.
- Realistic Proportions: The change to a slightly smaller Kratos for the Norse games is attributed to a desire to match the proportions of Christopher Judge, the actor who voiced and motion-captured the character, to foster a more realistic and grounded feel.
- Thematic Fit: The new, more grounded Kratos is in line with the more personal and introspective tone of the Norse saga, a departure from the grandiose, god-slaying rage of the earlier games. A larger size may have felt incongruous with this new direction.
- Animation and Technical Factors: The early rigging and animations of the Greek games required Kratos to be substantially taller. As the technology and techniques improved, it allowed the developers to be more flexible in how they presented him.
The “Lore Accurate” Kratos
The notion of a “lore accurate” Kratos also adds to the debate. One often cited source is a God of War III special feature that placed Kratos at approximately 8 feet 0 inches (2.44 m) tall. While this figure remains part of the lore, his actual depicted height within the games does not always align exactly with it, given the aforementioned changes.
In summary, while Kratos’ height is not fixed, the general trend has been from an initial design of 7 ft (2.13m), to the Greek Era depiction of around 7’8″ (2.34m), to finally, a much shorter depiction in the Norse era of around 6’4″ (1.93m). While not always consistent, these changes tell a story, as the size of Kratos changes with each era.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kratos’ Height
Here are some common questions that people have about Kratos’ height, aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding:
1. Is Kratos Actually 7 Feet Tall?
No, the initial conceptual height of 7 feet (2.13m) was altered during development. While early scripts might have suggested this height, the Greek version of Kratos is actually taller, at roughly 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 m). The Norse version of Kratos is shorter, at around 6 feet 4 inches (1.93m).
2. How Tall is Kratos in God of War: Ragnarök?
In God of War Ragnarök, Kratos is approximately 1.93 meters tall, which is roughly 6 feet 4 inches. This makes him noticeably shorter than his Greek saga counterpart.
3. Can Kratos Change His Size?
Yes, as a God, Kratos possesses the ability to change his size, allowing him to transform into a nearly 500-foot tall giant, similar to Ares. However, this ability is largely showcased in the original trilogy and seems to be absent in the Norse games.
4. How Did Kratos Get So Tall?
Kratos’s stature as a demigod is attributed to being the son of Zeus, the King of the Gods. His demigod nature grants him exceptional height and strength.
5. Has Kratos Gotten Shorter?
Yes, Kratos’ height was significantly reduced for the 2018 God of War reboot and Ragnarök. He went from approximately 8’0″ in the Greek games, to 6’4″ in the Norse era. The main reason behind this is the developer’s intent to make Kratos more relatable.
6. Why is Kratos Shorter in the Norse Games?
The developers adjusted Kratos’ height to match the proportions of Christopher Judge, the voice actor, and to create a more realistic and grounded character for the Norse saga. This choice aligns with the games’ more introspective and personal narrative.
7. Is Kratos Taller Than Baldur?
Yes, Kratos is significantly taller than Baldur. Baldur is roughly 5’11 to 6 feet tall, while Kratos stands at about 6’4″ in the Norse series.
8. How Tall is Thor Compared to Kratos?
Thor is much taller than Kratos. In the Norse games, Thor is around 7 feet 4 inches (2.25m) tall, making him significantly taller than Kratos by about a foot.
9. Who is Taller than Kratos?
Thor is explicitly mentioned as being taller than Kratos in the games. Other characters, like Vidar from Norse lore, are also significantly taller, as well as some giants.
10. How Tall is Odin?
The MCU’s Odin is portrayed by Anthony Hopkins at 5’8″ (1.73 m), while in the comics, Odin is 6’9″ (2.06 m). These heights are relevant to the Marvel versions, not the God of War version, whose height is not explicitly stated in the game.
11. How Heavy is Kratos’ Leviathan Axe?
Kratos’s Leviathan Axe weighs about 9.25 lbs, with a blade span of 12.59″ and an overall length of 35.82″.
12. How Old is Kratos Biologically?
In God of War Ragnarök, Kratos is likely around 1,055 years old. As a demigod, he ages far slower than a normal human.
13. Does Kratos Age Slower?
Yes, Kratos ages slower due to his demigod status and the power bestowed upon him by the gods. This is why he looks only a little older in the rebooted series despite potentially hundreds of years having passed.
14. Is Kratos’ Axe Stronger Than Thor’s Mjolnir?
There is no canonical proof that Kratos’ axe is stronger than Mjolnir. Canonically, Kratos enhances his gear with upgrades from Brok and Sindri. However, Kratos has defeated Thor, which makes for a compelling argument that his gear is capable of going toe-to-toe with the god’s magical hammer.
15. Is Freya Taller Than Kratos?
No, Freya is not taller than Kratos. She stands about as tall as his ear. She is even taller than her own son, Baldur.
By understanding these facets of Kratos’ height evolution, fans can better appreciate the design choices that went into creating the nuanced and complex character that he is. The changes in his height reflect not just the design teams, but also the thematic differences of each game.