The initial reaction was…loud. A wave of disappointment crashed over online forums, fueled by images and comparisons. Fans weren’t simply *unhappy* with the recent releases; they felt betrayed by a perceived decline in quality.
But a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture. The criticisms, while passionate, might be overstated. The figures themselves aren’t necessarily *bad*, just…different. A shift in approach, perhaps, rather than a complete collapse of standards.
However, one glaring issue overshadows everything else: scarcity. The limited nature of these releases, intended to create excitement, instead fostered frustration and a sense of exclusion. It felt less like a celebration of fandom and more like a calculated exercise in artificial demand.
The core problem isn’t the artistry, or even the price point for those who *could* acquire them. It’s the accessibility – or rather, the deliberate lack thereof. A truly dedicated fanbase deserves a fairer chance to participate, not a frantic scramble against bots and resellers.
This isn’t about entitlement; it’s about respect. Respect for the community that has supported these creations from the beginning. A more open and equitable distribution system would have resonated far more positively than the current, highly restrictive model.
