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Glossary of Kigurumi Terms

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B​

Bishoujo Kigurumi​

Definition: Literally "beautiful girl costume (kigurumi)" in Japanese.

Context: Basically the original term for kigurumi mask costumes, at least of feminine characters.

Related: Kigurumi

Bobblehead​

Definition: An endearing term for a kigurumi, jokingly as the masks are larger than a normal human head. Sometimes used to refer to an insufficiently padded mask.

Uncommon Term

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.

Uncommon Term

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 swappable front portion of a kigurumi mask some makers may offer.

Context: 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 in between combining the nuance of kigurumi masks with furry-esque designs, often in a "kemono furry" style rather than more western furry designs.

Context: An alternative to fursuits that are often more accessible cost-wise, easier to transport, and generally cooler in temperature compared to a full fursuit.

G​

Gamer posture​

Definition: When a mask does not have sufficient padding at the front for the wearer, leading the mask to give the appearance of a hunched over posture.

Related: Neck eater

Uncommon Term

H​

Hadatai (肌タイ)​

Definition: A full-body skin-tight suit that covers the performer's body, typically flesh-colored.

Context: 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.

Related: Handler's Guide

K​

Kig fan​

Definition: A term often used in a slightly demeaning manner to describe someone who is a bit too enthusiastic about kigurumi without being really involved in the hobby. A kig "chaser" of sorts who puts performers on a pedestal. Often someone that compulsively lurks in kigurumi communities and may be annoying.

Context: Most who enjoy kigurumi are not "kig fans", but every "kig fan" is a fan of kigurumi.

Kignapped (Kignap / Kignapping)​

Definition: Used to describe having someone that doesn't kig consensually try out someone's kigurumi mask and hadatai.

Context: Numerous artists draw this situation jokingly, without consent, and as something that can "just happen" for example while asleep. In reality this is only ever a deliberate, enthusiastically consentful trial of kigurumi.

Uncommon Term

Kigpill (Kigpilling)​

Definition: Instilling a new found love of kigurumi into someone who previously didn't really know or understand the hobby.

Uncommon Term

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 or Kigu.

Context: 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.

Kigurumi performer​

Definition: The kigurumi wearer themselves.

Context: One of several words that refers to people who don a kigurumi mask and hadatai.

L​

Laowai Tax​

Definition: An informal term, "foreigner tax", essentially the upcharge Chinese makers may apply for those ordering outside of Taobao, requiring English communication, paypal payments, international shipping, etc. Essentially costing more as their own costs are increased compared to domestic orders.

Context: Some may 'skip' the laowai tax by ordering with a proxy service and by communicating directly in Chinese. Although that itself is another set of tradeoffs and potential drawbacks.

Layering​

Definition: The technique of combining shapewear, padding, hadatai, and other pieces to achieve the desired character appearance. Sometimes multiple "layers" of padding and shapewear at that for more dramatic transformations.

Related: Padding theory

N​

Neck eater​

Definition: A term used to describe a kig mask that isn't sufficiently padded inside at the top, leading the mask to cover much of the wearer's neck.

Uncommon Term

P​

Padding​

Definition: Soft foam, silicone, or other materials used under a hadatai to help create bodily curves, such as hip pads, butt pads, or breast pads.

Context: Combines with shapewear to achieve the desired character appearance.

Related: Padding theory

(Mask) Padding​

Definition: The padding inside a kigurumi mask to keep it from being too loose and moving around, from being too low on your face, or making you look hunched over.

Context: Used to avoid the mask being a neck eater or giving the appearance of a gamer posture.

S​

Shapewear​

Definition: Clothing worn under a hadatai to help adjust body curves and proportions, such as a waist cincher.

Context: Combines with padding to achieve the desired character appearance.

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 unpleasant as they can be. There are international nuances to these terms which can be considered confusing or problematic in various regions.

  • Animegao or Animegao Kigurumi

Definition: Anime face

Reasoning: A transliteration artifact invented to differentiate Bishoujo Kigurumi/Kigurumi Masks from the parent term Kigurumi. The term is both confusing to some audiences and carries negative connotation due to some western makers reviling in it's usage to capitalize on the term for their own gain.

The Japanese wikipedia page has long noted that this term is an 'overseas specific term'.

Kig Wiki's Admin wrote a thesis on Animegao Kigurumi, worth a read on the history of the term and it's elusive origin.

  • 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. Similarly, do not harass or try to "educate" non-western kigurumi performers who use the term, as it is properly understood in their native contexts.

Related: See Coser

In defence of: Non-English origins and contexts, non-english audiences do not have the same connotations around such phrasing as western audiences would. It too is a term to differentiate between those who wear kigurumi masks vs those who wear onesie 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.