apikachu68

Correction: Agree with the other correction. Dropping details, such as facial features like a nose or mouth, and simplifying character designs is a very common and encouraged drawing/animation technique to imply distance. This isn't something the animators would just overlook. It was a deliberate decision. Ash and Misty similarly look somewhat less detailed than they do in closer shots. At best, this would be a deliberate mistake, but I personally think it falls under the umbrella of "suspension of disbelief" and shouldn't be considered a mistake given it's a stylistic choice to imply distance.

TedStixon

Correction: His nose isn't seen because he is far away from the camera.