Kigurumi Communities
Kigurumi draws fans from all background, and open spaces such as social media or group chats can draw especially colorful personalities. However, they do not represent every kigurumi nor kigurumi fan. Try not to let an off encounter shape your view. The broader community is wide-ranging, welcoming, and rich with unique approaches to the hobby.
Currently this section focuses more on how to avoid various pitfalls and ensure a positive experience.
This section is currently under development. If you have ideas for content, please reach out to us on the github repo.
What this section will not cover is advertising communities nor trying to make this resource into a community either. This is a resource for the community, not a community itself.
"The Kigurumi Community"
Regularly newer kigurumi assume buying a mask will open doors to "the community". Kigurumi however is made up of many different communities, individual performers, small groups, and yes, a few larger ones. While engaging in the hobby can lead to meeting others with similar interests, it does not guarantee entry into any particular community.
And much as Kigurumi performing is often mute, you have to have good communication skills if you want to network in the communities. You also have to be willing to put in the work to actually network, not just expect it to happen magically.
People with endless problems involving others
This is not unique to kigurumi, but it is worth mentioning. Sometimes there are people that appear to have infinite problems with others, treat being "wronged" almost like a social currency or pitty flag rather than ever dealing with the actual issues. Cliche being constantly look for any open ears to vent to, if you're new to a space and they instantly "trauma dump", that might be a sign.
It is true some have unfortunate luck with socializing however many completely lack introspection and are not willing to look at themselves in the mirror. If there are constant problems and its always purely the fault of others, it may in fact be the case they are the problem or at least part of the problem.
Try not to let one bad apple ruin your experiences, just because you share a hobby with someone does not mean you are obligated to be friends or be their therapist. In reality most kigurumi rarely run into any such drama, simple communication ahead of time rather than making assumptions avoids most issues.
Consent and boundaries
While often common sense, its often worth clarifying with other kigs what your boundaries are. Are you fine with handholding, hugging, or other physical contact? If so, how much? Are you more handsy, or would rather keep a more typical social distance akin to if you weren't in kig? The less you know someone, the more important it is to be clear and concise about your boundaries. Similarly with photos or videos, if you're together and some are taken are you fine with them being posted online? If not, its best to clarify sooner rather than later.
Obviously you don't need to constantly be on guard or clarifying for every interaction, such as at cons or other general public settings. However when in more private spaces clarity helps ensure everyone is on the same page and everyone is comfortable rather than avoiding the topic altogether.
Remember, consent can be withdrawn at any time. It doesn't mean you can hold an act previously consented to over their head, but once withdrawn it is withdrawn. If you become uncomfortable with something or someone, speak up rather than letting it fester. Break character, unmask, or otherwise end the interaction. Don't let it feel like you need to stay silent in mask to appease someone.
Local Kigs
Often times the best community ends up being local community, rather than people you might only interact with online. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to make friends with every single person local just because you share a hobby or are in proximity, but its worth at least making the effort to reach out or introduce yourself.
One of the easiest ways to meet local kigs are at cons, and having some way of sharing socials with them. Similarly running into other local kigs on social media also can occur, but do be mindful sometimes kigs are inundated with people trying to connect on social media and can miss more meaningful connection attempts by other kigs.
Having a Kigurumi card akin to a business card with a photo and some of your socials on it can be a great way to network when in kigurumi, or even when just running into other kigs at events.
Kigurumi Physiognomy
A good mask doesn't mean a person is good. Similarly a bad mask doesn't mean a person is bad.
However, if the person puts the bare minimum into the hobby to partake its often a good indicator they arent willing to put in the work to actually have a good time with others. There are some who unfortunately revel in being an uncanny or creepy centerpiece, don't judge a book entirely by it's cover but don't be ignorant to cautionary signs either.
There is a big difference between someone who isn't currently very skilled or doesn't have a lot to spend on the hobby, and someone who simply does not care and will only ever do the bare minimum treating it like an entry pass. Doubly so a red flag if they're only treating the hobby as some sort of BDSM keycard.