The anime did nothing. The original Ken Sugimori art (made during the creation of Red and Green) show all 151 Pokémon looking like you think they would (baring some minor things like Pikachu being chubbier).
I guess they just wanted to try something new, because I have no logical answer to them making sprites for this;
things like these:
Also, does anyone realise that Golem originally had longer arms connected to the rocks instead of jutting out of them? I guess the rocks were meant to be its body.
"Its boulder-like body is extremely hard. It can easily withstand dynamite blasts without damage." -Pokémon Red&Blue Pokédex entry.
"Once it sheds its skin, its body turns tender and whitish. Its hide hardens when it's exposed to air." -Pokémon Yellow
"Once it sheds its skin, its body turns tender and whitish. Its hide hardens when it's exposed to air." -Pokémon Yellow
Last edited: