Is a less humanoid race impossible?

[Leep]

The trick is designing them in a manner that can be seen as either cute and/or attractive/beautiful, as those are the two traits that draw in a good chunk of people (with the latter drawing in a larger amount). I have no doubt that a beast-like demi-human can be beautiful, but I do have doubts on their ability to design one that actually appeals to their main demographic.

That's where we run into a brick wall. If the Japanese playerbase cannot be sold to the idea of a more beast-like demi-human, we'll just end up with another Au Ra.

I hear monster girls are popular over there right about now.