>>10515089I'd say using separate joints is a internal step forwards, as it made it easier to produce toys.
Normal figures have the joint integrated with the sculpt, so its more effort from the design perspective. A seperate joint is a bit more costly, but there's a savings on time, and they're mass produced since they're generally universal.
These separate joints don't inherently increase range of motion, as its always been about cutting away at the sculpt. However, since the joint needs to be inserted into the figure, there's going to be more clearance to install it.
There's no reason why integrated joints can't have the same amount of clearance, except for the fake that western toys leave more of the sculpt intact. McFarlane's Halo line is an example of the inverse, where there are separate joints but less sculpt being cut away. It's a stylistic choice.
>making part-swapping easier within a line was a decent game-changer in itselfThere's probably been a dozen lines that have this gimmick and lines like 80s GI Joe made it relatively easy to do customs too.
It's never really hit mainstream though. Even that Revoltech line that was a customizers dream whose name i forget was just an overpriced niche.
