Kigurumi Mask Basics
A Kigurumi Mask is an anime-styled character mask worn over the head. Most new masks these days are custom designed in 3D, based off reference photos, crafted to your measurements and preferences.
A mask is one part of the costume. Read Hadatai basics and body padding theory for the other common layers, or What is Kigurumi? for an overview.
Where to get a Kigurumi Mask
Most masks are commissioned directly from a maker, rather than premade and available from a storefront. We have a list of Kigurumi Mask makers as well as how to order a mask.
Due to the commission nature of masks, they aren't something exactly bought off the shelf. While makers will sometimes have a mask or two available for immediate purchase, thats rare rather than the norm. Unfortunately some scammers have tried to capitalize on this, with listings on Etsy, Aliexpress, Ebay and other marketplaces. Kigurumi Mask seller red flags touches on this. A used Kigurumi Mask can be a legitimate ready-to-ship option when the seller, fit, and condition can be verified, however most quality used masks are sold on the Chinese domestic market on sites like Goofish rather than on more accessible international marketplaces.
Kigurumi Mask Materials
Most new Kigurumi Masks are either 3D printed or FRP, with the vast majority of makers having since moved on to 3D designed and printed masks.
3D Printed Kigurumi Masks
3D-printed shells are the default largely as the face, expression, and size can be modeled for the commission instead of adapted from a shared mold. Professional makers generally use large-format resin printing, not the kind of consumer PLA printer you would find at a library or in a hobby setup.
FRP Kigurumi Masks
Fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) shells are made from molds. They were more common before printing took over, and a few makers still offer them. Because a new mold is expensive, most FRP catalogs are based off of a few shared molds, then customized with hair, eyes, makeup, mouth details, and accessories. A fully custom mold is usually possible, but it costs more and takes longer.
Durability
Regardless of shell type, the paint and finishes are rather similar. Accidents that would chip the finish on one will still damage the finish on the other. FRP may be slightly more durable in the worst-case freak accident. Printed masks are often more modular, so replacing a faceplate or back shell is usually cheaper than getting an FRP mask refinished.
Early printed masks were often PLA on consumer printers, which is where a lot of the "printed masks are weak" reputation comes from. Tech and materials have moved on to more advanced materials and printers beyond the hobbyist level. For every new FRP mask, dozens of 3D-printed ones are made, which is why printed masks are the ones you are most likely to hear stories about, both good and bad. There is good reason however that at large events like Doll Weekend, it is 3D-printed masks as far as the eye can see.
Vinyl Kigurumi Masks
Soft vinyl masks show up mostly in costume shops and marketplace listings. We mention them here for completeness, but they're not exactly a common sight by any measure. If you see that as a material type, it's best avoided. Anecdotes about material smell or skin irritation do pop up from time to time, but being such a rare oddity its difficult to say if its a legitimate issue or not.
Full-shell vs partial-back masks
Full-shell masks surround the head like a helmet. Partial-back designs use the wig and possibly padding to cover and support part of the rear opening. A soft back if you will.
FRP masks are almost always partial-back, usually in "3/4" or "1/2" designs. 3D printed masks are more likely to be full-shell, but some are partial-back 3/4 as well. Haagaau is an example of a 3D printed maker that offers both.
Neither construction is automatically better, its a matter of personal preference and the design of the mask. Full masks can be easier to pad to perfection, but partial-back masks can be more portable, although hair design is the biggest limiting factor. How easy or difficult it is to wear the mask varies by design, some full masks just lift the front, some have a replaceable wig that must come off first. Makers sometimes will offer both options, depending on the design and the needs of the wearer.
Full shells may use internal latches, magnets, clasps, or locks, although the presence of a locking latch doesn't mean you actually need to lock it.
Custom, semi-custom, and generic masks
- Custom: The face and other major elements are designed for the character and commission. This offers the most control but can require more time and cost.
- Semi-custom: A maker adapts an existing base with selected face, eye, hair, paint, or accessory options. Mouth too usually can have some customization, in the case of FRP this is usually modified on top of the existing shell rather than modelled directly into the mask.
- Generic: A standard character or face design is sold with even more limited changes. Availability may be faster, but size and shape options are fixed.
What is a "generic" and what is a "semi-custom" largely depends on a maker's own definition, but both are essentially a similar concept.
Kigurumi Mask Features
Options vary by maker and may include:
- Interchangeable faceplates
- Removable wigs
- 3D-printed hard hair
- Eyes in "mesh based" designs, "lens based", "follow-me" optical illusions, or rarely sometimes even LED lit eyes
- Fans or other ventilation, although how effective they are is debatable. Padding is a greater factor in comfort.
- Magnetic accessories such as animal ears, horns, hats or other headgear
- Glasses
- Piercings
Kigurumi Mask Visibility
Visibility varies by design. Common viewports include the brow crease, and usually some combination of mesh in the eye whites, mesh pupils, or discrete openings around the eyes. Peripheral vision is the more limited aspect of visibility.
Prescription glasses and contacts
Smaller masks and partials might not have enough interior clearance for glasses. Full shell masks may have enough clearance depending on the design and type of character portrayed. Typically larger masks lean towards characters with proportionally smaller bodies, which might not be a direction you're aiming for.
Contacts if possible are highly worth considering. Alternatively, Serval Industries has recently started offering low profile glasses designed to comfortably fit under a mask and avoid any pressure points.
It might be possible to set up a pair of old glasses to fit similarly as well for those more DIY inclined. Swimming glasses may also be similarly low profile and able to fit under a mask and over a hadatai.
Kigurumi Mask Padding
Many masks need small interior-padding adjustments after arrival. Padding should keep the mask comfortable, viewports aligned, and keep it oriented correctly over a long period of time. See Kigurumi Mask care and padding for more details.
DIY Kigurumi Masks
A DIY Kigurumi Mask is possible, but it combines several advanced prop-making skills and may require multiple shells or finishing attempts. Review what to expect from a DIY build and the open-source Kigurumi Mask resources before choosing a route.
If you haven't ever never made a 3D printed cosplay prop before, it's highly recommended to start with a simpler project first to get a feel for the process. A mask is an advanced process. Similarly if you've never seen a mask in person before, it's highly recommended if you can by some means. There's a number of nuanced tricks to making vision right, and towards designing various components in a way that looks right. For example, smile expressions tend to be a mix of sculpt and faux painted depth, getting the 2.5D brought to life look isn't as simple as it may seem.
Furkigs
Furkigs combine features associated with Kigurumi Masks and kemono furry character designs, a sort of hybrid between Kigurumi and Fursuiting. We mention them for completeness but do not currently cover them in depth for our guides.
Most use generic mass produced bases, although some are custom modeled. That said they are more DIY friendly owing to the mass produced shells, and using stretch fur fabric as their finish instead of a perfectly smoothed, well painted hard shell.