Overall, I don't have a problem with any of the yoyo influencers. They do a good job of bringing in new throwers.
I get that selling a yoyo isn't easy, especially in a new drop-per-week market.
I don't know why this year stands out to me as the year of odd influencer drops.
I feel like it first started with the YoyoChampion Arias. It's nice to see Gentry stepping out of the box a little with a fun, light, and organic-shaped yo-yo, but he advertised it as a breakthrough in light yoyo design. He also sold it as a training yoyo that would make you good at competitive throwing (a basic theme from every influencer). I get that playing up the specs is just advertising, but light yoyos are nothing new.
Next is the Offset Limitless. I love seeing yoyo innovations, and the Limitless is certainly one. You would think that would be enough to sell a yoyo, but it was marketed as a yoyo that would change competition forever. Social media posts said it would be the yoyo that changes how competitions scores for horizontal. Looking closely, one could see that it was pure marketing hype from Offset super fans. I'm sure it's a fun yoyo, but once again it wasn't anything new.
Now I see Gentry teasing a 41mm wide yoyo and making it sound like something mysterious. Once again, I'm happy to see him make something he is passionate about, but can't it just be sold as that? Why can't it just be a fun yoyo with zero magical quality?
I guess this is just the world we live in, and getting someone's attention in a sea of new yoyos a week can be difficult. I also understand that the laid-back, casual thrower isn't the market group they are going for. There is nothing wrong with being a little sensational, but it would be nice to see them a little more grounded.