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Glossary of Kigurumi Terms

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B​

Bobblehead​

  • Definition:
  • Usage:

C​

Coser​

  • Definition: Shorthand term for a cosplayer. Not specific to Kigurumi.

D​

Doller​

  • Definition: A kigurumi performer, relating to the doll-like nature of kigurumi, akin to #coser.

E​

Eyeports aka Viewports​

  • Definition: The holes in a kigurumi mask you view out of. Typically through a brow crease above the eyes in addition to often some level of lower visibility through the eyes themselves.
  • Related: Mask basics

F​

Faceplate​

  • Definition: A swapable front portion of a kigurumi mask some makers may offer.
  • Usage: Allows for different expressions used with the same base mask and wig.
  • Related: Mask basics

Furkig​

  • Definition: A type of kigurumi mask that is not quite a fursuit, not quite an anime style kigurumi mask, but inbetween combining the nuance of kigurumi masks with furry-esque designs, often in a "kemono furry" style rather than more western furry designs.
  • Usage: An alternative to fursuits that are often more accessible cost-wise, easier to transport, and generally cooler in temperature compared to a full fursuit.

H​

Hadatai (肌タイ)​

  • Definition: A full-body skin-tight suit that covers the performer's body, typically flesh-colored.
  • Usage: Creates a seamless base for the character's skin tone and smooths out any padding or shapewear.
  • Related: hadatai basics

Handler​

  • Definition: Term for a person who helps a kigurumi get around safely such as at cons, events, or other public places. Often speaks on behalf of the kigurumi.

K​

Kig fan​

  • Definition: A term often used in a slightly demeaning manner to describe someone who is a bit too into kigurumi but without actually being a kigurumi performer themselves, a kig "chaser" of sorts. More specifically someone that compulsively lurks in kigurumi communities and may be annoying.
  • Usage: Most who enjoy kigurumi are not "kig fans", but every "kig fan" is a fan of kigurumi.

Kigurumi (着ぐるみ)​

  • Definition: A full body costume, in the context of this wiki, an anime styled one that includes a mask and a hadatai. Sometimes shortened to Kig.
  • Usage: Usually refers to the kigurumi performer themselves rather than the costume alone.
  • Related: What is Kigurumi

Kigurumi Mask

  • Definition: The titular mask of a kigurumi costume, the most involved component of kigurumi cosplay.

L​

Layering​

  • Definition: The technique of combining shapewear, padding, hadatai, and other pieces to achieve the desired character appearance.
  • Usage: Important for achieving "unrealistic" anime proportions.
  • Related: Padding theory

Z​

Zentai​

  • Definition: A generic term for a full body suit, similar to a hadatai but often of differing materials, finishes, and features.
  • Related: Hadatai basics

Internationally confusing terms best avoided​

Ideally this section would not exist, however, some confusing terms get used that should be addressed as unpleasent as they can be. There are international nuances to these terms which can be considered confusing or problematic in various regions.

Animegao

  • Definition: Anime face
  • Reasoning: An old mistranslation artifact from the early days of machine translations, where "anime faced" masks were confused for a unique term. The term is not used internationally, and can be confusing to international audiences as a sort of faux-Japanese term. The Japanese wikipedia page has long noted that this term is an 'overseas specific term', and is not used in Japan much as some attempt to edit Wikipedia to make the term sound more genuine than it is.
  • Historical Context: The term was used to astroturf kigurumi masks in the west, as you would find only western results searching for the term.
  • In defence of: The term does at least differentiate between referring to masks versus onsie type pajamas. However you can just say kigurumi mask, kig mask, or similar.

Kiger

  • Definition: A shorthand term for a kigurumi performer often used in Chinese and sometimes Japanese contexts.
  • Reasonings: Some westerners use the term ironically in a racist connotation or as a dog whistle. People are not clueless especially when a second g is added in the term, it is not some "secret" term. Use of the term in western English contexts is not recommended, do not harass or try to "educate" Japanese or Chinese kigurumi performers who use the term, as it is properly understood in their native contexts.
  • Related: See Coser
  • In defence of: Origins outside English, so terminology and slang is not the same. It too is a term to differentiate between those who wear kigurumi masks vs those who wear onsie pajamas.

Additional Resources​

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This glossary is continuously updated. If you notice a term that should be added or corrected, please contribute to the community knowledge base.