I think this hasn't got approved yet because its too simple. Personally, I really like the content, its an awesome idea for a pixel. It just needs some refinement, here are some suggestions: bring the shoulders down, they make him look like his back is a square. use more of that extra gray color on the jacket to model it out more, give it some volume. Do the same for his fin, instead of dithering with lines, use those colors to more boldly show his highlights and shadows, avoid dithering, don't be afraid to mark bold areas of darks and lights.
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