Yes, it does seem as if it was a short passing fancy. I myself still love my 51's, and I may even like them more today than yesterday. At first I didn't think much of them at all. In pictures they were kinda funny looking. But now that I have one....two...three.....fourth on the way I can't get enough of them. I think they are beautiful. I also liked them more after I saw Zero, that helped a little too.
As far as not liking Zero being taboo you are entitled to your opinion and on some levels I agree with you. It wasn't like I didn't like the story, I would have just rather have had more of a military perspective than the supernatural one. More of those tasty battle scenes would have been outstanding.