I think he has stept up the character design. I always found square banjo much better designed than the 64 CG model.
EDIT
Laylee is not a girl? It even sounds like a girls name.
From Playtonic Writer/Editor on Twitter:Or a Skirt.
>.>
Im really not letting this go. D:
Andy Robinson said:Disclaimer for the #YookaLaylee reveal: We didn't specifically specify the sexes of our heroes... to be revealed
I'm sure IGN just assumed they were both male when they first typed up their article.