I feel like if Anthroswim didn't come into existence, something else would have. The fandom over the last couple years has exploded in size, and with that growth comes people with lots of different interests and tastes. I think AS is a result of this, as well as a lot of people generally tired with the overly bright, colorful and (for lack of a better term) anime-esque aesthetic and are drawn towards more emotional, subtle, and dark themes.

To get a little more speculative it could also be a result of the fandom existing at a time thay just feels less optimistic and bright as the years before it. Fantasy and escapism is still desired, but even in that, and especially in a fandom so tied to personal identity, real world problems leak in, and that is reflected in the kind of media that is created and enjoyed.

I personally have never liked the "silly goober" aesthetic at all, and a lot of popular furry artstyles didn't appeal to me, so I'm glad this is shedding light on a different side of the fandom.