>>37588379The problem is with the model then, not the design. It is like that because a model would just clip into the ground, making it a non-issue. Primarina's official art and design don't have this problem, which is what we are discussing. I agree that the 3D model should be fixed to be faithful to its official design, though.
As people already explained, the hair giving Primarina a beautiful aesthetic impacts how it functions as a living being. Sea lions seek attention, and Primarina gets attention because it's a beautiful mermaid. Milotic and Gorebyss are great Pokemon designs, but they aren't great mermaid designs. They aren't even mermaid designs at all, aside from a few minor visual elements, and nothing about their design goes into mermaid mythology like how Primarina uses the attention it gets as a weapon, to trick opponents. You said it yourself, the mermaid motifs are kept subtle with Milotic and Gorebyss, while Primarina goes all out with them. Using them as an example doesn't make much sense here, remove the hair and Primarina's entire mermaid design falls apart.
As for the rest, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. First of all, you're confusing Sparkling Aria with Oceanic Operetta. Sparkling Aria has the user bursting into song, emitting many bubbles which attack the enemy, and not summoning a large body of water. I think this couldn't be more clear about what they are, since Primarina quite literally controls bubbles with its voice. The stars not being present in Popplio or Brionne isn't a big deal to me. The ears changed in every stage and completing the line with headphones that serve both a visual and practical purpose is great. I can see why you think they are artificial, I just don't agree with it knowing why they exist and what purpose they serve. And I think Primarina looks great in plushes, card art, anime (pic related) and merchandise, and you're making a big deal out of a nitpick which could be said for so many different Pokemon.
