That was a fun read, thank you for helping start my day with a smile.
Yes, we have noticed it also. It’s either as you said because they were expensive to develop or due to lack of talent.
Manga artist each have their own style, which is recognizable from book to book. Pixar is basically one artist doing many books.
We love challenge groups, but weekly themes are sometimes rough, unless the topic is announced ahead of time. Once more people figure out the where and how of it all, then things will get more lively.