I’m pretty sure it’s just the artist’s technique gradually improving, it’s not surprising for an artists style to change, especially not with how long they’ve been working on this series! It sure is interesting though with long running projects… it always makes me feel like the characters are growing up with me ;x;
yeah, no it's mostly been very gradual, but the latest chapters compared to the first volume makes it very evident. you can still easily recognize chika, but i honestly would have a hard time recognizing natsu as the same character if i didn't know. he seems much more feminine, especially facially for one. hairstyle, fashion and behaviour can all change for sure, but he feels like a completely different person imo on top of the change in art style. so, i think - for the most part, it is most noticeable in his character. and since he's one of the main characters, that is probably why people are noticing and commenting now haha ╮( ̄▽ ̄)╭
Has the art really changed that dramatically? I feel like between volume 1 and this one, yeah there’s a big change, but I do think it’s been gradual over the last years, not sudden at all. Genuine question - am I missing some massive change?