Is it an aesthetic problem or a character design problem?

Hear me out. Ever since ZZZ entered 2.x, we've heard all kinds of criticism. The biggest and broadest complaint has been the "loss of the original aesthetic." But one thing I've always noticed is how these discussions almost always boil down to dissatisfaction with the character designs.

People wouldn't be nearly as mad at Waifei Peninsula if its designs felt more original. They wouldn't be as upset with Roscaelifer if the designs were less fanservice-heavy. And they probably wouldn't even care that much about Yixuan using "magic" (which was a big point of contention) if her design felt more cohesive with her role in the story and the world of ZZZ.

What we're seeing isn't really a fundamental aesthetic shift. Yixuan using "magic" feels like a natural evolution. Moving to other futuristic urban settings, like a flying city, was also to be expected. I genuinely believe most people who complain about these things wouldn't mind them nearly as much if they weren't already unhappy with the new character designs.

2.x had a lot of problems, especially up until 2.5. But the devs have clearly been doing their homework since then. The story has become way more interesting and well-developed starting from 2.6. Characters don't just show up randomly anymore, they actually stick around and develop. The new gameplay mechanics make you feel like a real hacker, and we finally have a proper reason for the Proxy to go on dangerous missions instead of being a walking duck who constantly needs saving (well… except for Pyrois, lol).

All things considered, my question remains: Are the complaints really about the aesthetic… or are they mostly about the character designs?