I suppose that's technically true, but I meant that they serve a similar function as Toei's model sheets albeit on a different level - the animators reference designs/models from Yamamuro (and maybe other staff?) who in turn references the conceptual designs from Toriyama if applicable, or at least that's how I understand it.Cipher wrote: To be fair, these aren't models. They're designs, from which Toei staff create the actual models to be referenced by the animators.
But they're still meant to be used as references and have to show off the character cleanly and holistically, so it makes sense to keep them fairly samey and conservative.
Like you said, the idea is to provide a cohesive reference point for the staff that can translate them into actual character models using Super's artstyle for the anime. Giving them wildly dynamic poses and facial expressions would defeat that whole purpose, and even then, Toriyama still sneaks in a bit of character to some of these.