Hipposaru revamp poll - Now completed

[Wingsrising]

Expanding on my previous comments, I think the thing that's throwing me is that the new version seems to be undecided about whether it's moving forward or sideways. Most of the pose indicates it's running forward, but the rotated position of the head and the left foreleg seem to direct a lot of the energy in the drawing sideways, towards the viewer. Which is why my first impression was that the legs are flailing: the problem isn't the position of the legs, it's the disconnect between the direction the body seems to be moving and the direction the head and that one leg seem to be moving.

In the old version, all body parts are moving in the same direction: forward. It's looking sideways, but its head isn't trying to go sideways.

Does this make any sense?

[Pyrostatic]

Wingsrising, I understand what you're saying. I too noticed the odd body direction. It's confusing to the eye.

[Mayhem]

Oh christ, I'm incredibly disappointed that the revamp is winning the poll so far. I don't like this at ALL.

The pose is okayish, but the ears are too big. The face reminds me of a turtle. The green spots... wtf is up with those? Those look silly. I'm mourning the fact that the wings are too chibi-esque (ffffff I hate chibi-esque) and not anywhere near somewhat realistic looking.

The feet are cute, the tail is cute, but the rest needs to go. I would LOVE it if it somewhat resembled the Ippo.

I also don't see what's wrong with the name as it is now... what's with the renaming trend? If I had to pick anything, it'd be Hippottu since the rest look too obnoxiously Japanese or special-snowflake to me.

[Mistress Morbid]

I know exactly what you're saying Wingsrising. I mentioned it before, but the back foot that's farthest away from us really screws up my perception of the thing. The fact that we can see the bottom pad of its foot seems to conflict with the rest of the body's pose. It's like the foot is turned awkwardly towards us instead of going back straight like it should be.

Sorry I can't really describe it any better. ><

[AngharadTy]

Revamps always win. Especially on a super-neglected pet with ancient, obviously out-of-date art. The fact that it has almost 600 "no!" votes right now is actually astonishing, to me.

[TCStarwind]

I like the idea of the back-plate. I think that if that's the appearance you're going for, it'll need a small modification. I think if you want people to read it as a harder/leathery plate, than it needs to be more jointed, like an armadillo's (as rhinos don't have the appearance you seem to be going for in this aspect). If it doesn't have the joint(s), it may only come off as looking like a spot instead of the armor. Also, the joints would give the hipposaru more flexibility instead of being more turtle-like.

I hope that makes sense?

[Heilos]

I personally like the idea of the smaller wings but only if they were more bird like because
right now all I keep thinking about is gaia when I see that little wing design XD

Anyway I really like where this revamp is going and NK is doing a great job of asking for crits, love it.
everyone pretty much addresssed the main issues I have with this revamp, the back plate, the face,
the wings, and a bit of the pose but im sure all those problems will be fixed so overall, very nice revamp c:

[Aisu]

I like it, but I definitely think it needs real wings! D: Or at least larger ones that could help it flutter/hover about the ground, but not exactly fly... I dunno, I'm just not a fan of swirly chibi wings. I love its face though, so cute! ♥ And that forepaw! I love it~

[Fuzzy]

The hipposaru really needs to be revamped, but I think this one needs some work. I like the spots on the head, but they don't work on the legs. Another color might also work better than green. The face really bothers me. It looks like it's trying to be a tapir sized head and snout, but with hippo features. As much as I'd love a tapir pet, I don't think this was the intended direction. I don't like the anime styled wings. They should be larger, but not overly realistic. The pose is also very confusing. I like the idea of a back plate, but how it is now makes it look like a large brown spot. The shading is nicely done, so with some adjustments this could be a very good revamp.

As long as the hydrus hipposaru is ignored for a while before being redone, I won't mind the direction this revamp is going. Also, I find nothing wrong with he name hipposaru. I don't like any of the proposed names, but I can't really think of any myself. No matter what the name is changed to, it will still be hipposaru in my head.

Edit:
I just noticed someone on the forums suggested the name "whippo." In Mexico, Wippo is a purple hippo that is part of a series of greeting cards and merchandise, similar to Hello Kitty. It amuses me how close the name is, intentional or not. XD

[Huggles]

The old pet was hideous. The new one isn't. But, I still don't want one. Maybe if it looked more like a real hippo, I might. There's nothing in the way the back plate is shaded or lined to suggest that it's anything more than differently colored skin. I like the dots on the forehead, but I think only the large green dots should remain on the legs. Perhaps take them down the back if the back plate isn't staying. The little yellow ones look too dinky. Maybe make the larger green ones on the feet connect to form a faux finger bracelet like the head dots.

The wings are dumb and I wish they were gone. I've always hated the wings that are tacked onto pets for no apparent reason. Curse you tutani butt wings! Make a nice wing pattern or something and remove them like what was done for the anyu.

[lavender]

I like the new markings and the feet and hands, but that's it (although I do think the claws/fingers/whatever on its left hand should be closed up. I'm glad to see the pet get some attention, but... no.

My main problem is that it really doesn't look enough like a hippo to be a hippo based pet. I think the main reason why is the muzzle. I think it's too small. The ears are too big and, since Seerow mentioned it, they look like big thick elf ears. I also wish the end of the tail was smaller. The "backplate"... doesn't look like a back plate and is just an unnecessary addition. The wings are too small and if I had it my way they would be gone all together!

As far as names go, I kinda like Pottu.... but it's too close to 'potty'. But it's easy to remember.

[lastaria]

I think that it's workable. The pose throws me off quite a bit, because it looks somewhat awkward and unnatural. The markings on its head are nice, actually. They're pretty in an ornate kind of way. The teeth slightly bother me, but not that much. By far my biggest problem with the revamp is the wings. They just look useless. I much prefer the older wings. However, I feel like most of these things can be changed while still maintaining the general idea of the revamp.

I like the name Pheryx a lot. Not for the Hipposaru though, just in general I think it should keep its name, it seems to fit pretty well.

[zebru]

This is a strange comment to make but the new one scares the daylights out of me. And I'm not exaggerating. It pulls from me the similar reaction to the one I had when the alien from Signs movie (Mel Gibson flick) first appeared walking unnaturally slowly at kids birthday party. I have no idea why. *shudders*

[Usul_Princess]

I'm not impressed with any of the names suggested so far. Honestly, what's wrong with Hipposaru? It sounds nice and fits the pet.

I agree! What's wrong with its name? I HATE name changes, because they seem incredibly pointless. The revamp however is decent, but the baby wings...no. Make them larger or better yet just nix them altogether.

The face does need some work, I don't like it--the old one was nice and cartoonish like the hungry-hungry hippos. Its new face is also more dopey looking, which throws me off. It will feel like something's missing without wings, but I can't picture such a larger sized pet with even larger wings, so yeah just nuke 'em.

[Wingsrising]

I actually hadn't even noticed that back leg, Mistress Morbid, but, yeah. That needs fixing, too.

Does the new Hipposaru have chibi wings... or are chibi wings severed Hipposaru wings?