When starting off, most people who are new to kigurumi usually begin by asking their Kig friends or people who sound like they know what they are talking about. Often they receive all sorts of opinions on styles and prices and about who is a good maker and who is not. Several will get mislead and end up not getting a mask at all or a mask that may not be suited to them.
The best solution is GO TO THE SOURCE to find a style you like. While you are searching keep these points in mind:
- There are several levels of quality for products.
- All makers have some form of semi-custom masks.
- Some makes offer full one-off custom fabrication.
- Some makers may have pre-made masks in stock
- They all offer options to enhance the characters such as
- accessories and props
- They all have different price points
- They all have different payment requirements.
Not all kigurumi are equal. With semi-customs the styles vary greatly - open mouth, closed mouth, different eye shapes and face shapes and profiles. Styling is very subjective and it may be extremely difficult for somebody new to the hobby to distinguish the slight variations in design styles. More experienced Kigs often can spot these slight variations and know exactly where the mask originated from and which model of mask it is.
Some makers are mass producers making literally hundreds of the same model mask. In addition there are more bespoke makers that may only produce one or two masks a year. These makers are more exclusive and for the newcomer it might be a good idea to make them a first choice as the wait times can be frustratingly long and what you probably really want is to just get into your first mask.
If you wish a semi-custom mask there are several options on hair styles, eye color and makeup. These choices all are pretty much up to you, the buyer. The definition of Semi-custom varies from maker to maker but all will start with some form of a pre-designed blank mask shell and after that the levels of customizations change.
For some makers you will choose from a limited selection of face shells, pre-defined eyes, wigs and accessories. And then your mask will be assembled like a cuter version of Mr. Potatohead. For other makers, a semi-custom mask is more complex process. Those makers include the creation of character specific eye graphics, custom wigs to match reference images, and custom painted finishes and makeup in order to in order to enhance and mimic key features of the character. It may also involve “simple” (note: nothing is really simple) modifications to the base mask shell to alter mouth shape. Some semi-customs masks can look very close to the original anime character. But to the discerning eye one can see all the other masks out there based on the same shell.
“Full Custom One-off” kigurumi masks are very specific to the character the performer is looking to become. These are very expensive and have their own sets of requirements the semi-customs do not. They also generally have significantly longer production timelines. Full-custom masks can be half shell or full enclosure and made to the purchaser's specifications, measurements and body size. This means the masks are sized to best match the performer’s body proportions to try to best represent the character and may also include special features, requirements or functionality unique to the buyer’s desires.
Full- Custom masks are made to look exactly like the supplied reference images of the character. With face shapes and proportions as close to exact as one can accomplish from a drawn 2D character. Full customs masks will almost always start from a new sculpt and then onto the production of a single shell which often is never be remade or resold except with permission from the original commissioner. Along the way the purchaser should always be kept up to date with progress reports. From a visual standpoint with a full custom kigurumi mask you will BE the anime character as opposed to a kig performer cosplaying as an anime character.
For the new Kig the optimal solution would be to go basic and simple. This way you can experience the necessary skills involving the maintenance of the masks and just being able to perform. It would be advisable to look for a mask that does not have complex hair styles (or lots of hair), accessories and/or props for the cosplay. A simple short to mid length haired cute mask is a great start. Wigs can always be upgraded later.
Also, remember you will need a skin-suit (aka: zentai or haddadi), some sort of costume and shoes. These too vary in construction and quality. As far as skin-suits some makers will not have a source for these. For those makers you will be required to out-source them from a third party. Expect to spend at least $100 USD for one. It is recommend to get a zentai which is specifically made for kigurumi. All zentai have options such as, toes, no toes, crotch zipper, no crotch zipper, open face or closed face. When you do decide on a maker for your mask ask them which skin-suit source best matches their flesh tone. This is very important since early masker has a different interpretation of what flesh tone is.
Remember if you are new to kigurumi, take it slow, get some experience, then, upgrade. We all want you to have the best experience in this magical world. No rainbows or unicorns, but solid good experiences. We know you will love kigurumi as much as the rest of us here and we encourage all of the other experienced kigs to pass on what they have learned to others, freely and with a friendly open mind.
Below you will find a list of makers. Contact them, get quotes, see what your budget will allow.
Kigurumi Online (Kig-O) does not represent, recommend, endorse or guarantee any of the work of the makers on this list. It is only compiled as a resource for people looking for more information on Kigrurimi mask makers.
If you are a kigurumi maker and wish to be included in this list please let us know. We just need your contact name and website address.
Be aware there are makers in this list that will not sell to people located outside of Japan. This is for a number of reasons, but the main reason is they wish only deal with buyer with a bank account located in Japan, simple economics. But we included them so you have more resources to compare to.
Masks[/size]
Ayame Store
Masks and skinsuits (tights and hadatai manufacturer)
http://ayame-store.jp/en_index.html
Build up Studio “Sigma”
Masks and skinsuits (tights)
http://buildupstudiosigma.com/
Charming Kitsune Kigurumi Studio
http://www.facebook.com/kigurumimasks (not taking commissions any more)
DAME Kigurumi
masks and skinsuits (tights)
https://damekigurumi.com/ (on hiatus)
先天性 Doller
(Mirai)
http://www.geocities.jp/omdolljp/index.html
Dolphin Studios
http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~kiglumin/index2.html
Doll's Kingdom AG
http://kigurumi-mm.blogspot.com/
Dream Mask
Masks and skinsuits (tights) both lycra and latex (reseller)
http://dreammask.net/
Goukaou GKO
Masks and skinsuits (tights) both lycra and latex (reseller)
http://sharkgogo.myweb.hinet.net/
Justin Bailey's Kigurumi and Props
http://justinbailey2430.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/JustinBaileysKig
Kaga Ki
Masks and skinsuits (tights)
https://www.facebook.com/kagakii
KanaKig Studios
Masks, costumes and skinsuits (boobsuit reseller)
https://www.facebook.com/Kanakig-Studio ... 385856378/
Karasuzu
http://ameblo.jp/kazasuzu/
Kawaii LTD
http://kawaii-ltd.com/
Kwonder
http://kigurumiwonder.blog.fc2.com/
http://www.facebook.com/hui.oo.5
liil design
(ManiaJuns)
http://liil.fun/
https://shop113383241.world.taobao.com/
https://twitter.com/maniajuns
LiveWearYu Wyu Ri
http://www.kigcos.com/
Munimuni Seisaku
Masks, Shells, kits
http://www.munimuni.jp/
Nukopan
Masks, Shells, Kits
http://nukopan00.blog115.fc2.com/
Open Kig
Design, printing services
http://openkig.com/
Raigeki
http://raigeki.blog.163.com/
Ride the Pig Studio
Masks, Props and skinsuits (tights and hadatai manufacturer) (reseller boobsuits)
http://ridethepig.net (launch soon)
http://www.facebook.com/ridethepigstudios
https://www.etsy.com/shop/pigdroppingsRin Paiss
https://plus.google.com/u/0/105618512335291378739/posts
http://twitter.com/rin_piass
SmolArtBeans
Faceups, custom paint, restoration, hair
https://www.facebook.com/smolartbeans/
Zukokan
http://zukokan.com/
Skin Suits/Zentai/Tights[/size]
Ayame
Custom Lycra, Custom Lycra Bodysuits, Standard Size Lycra (manufacturer)
http://ayame-store.jp/en_index.html
Goukaou GKO
Custom Lycra, Bodysuits Lycra, Standard Size Lycra, Custom Latex (reseller)
http://sharkgogo.myweb.hinet.net/
Kaga Ki
Custom Lycra hadatai (manufacturer)
https://www.facebook.com/kagakii
KanaKig Studios
Custom Lycra, Bodybsuits Lycra, Standard Size Lycra, Custom Latex (reseller)
https://www.facebook.com/Kanakig-Studios-409925385856378
liil design
Lycra suits, Custom Latex (reseller)
(ManiaJuns)
http://liil.fun/
https://shop113383241.world.taobao.com/
https://twitter.com/maniajunsLiveWearYu Wyu Rihttp://www.kigcos.com/
Ride the Pig Studio
Custom Lycra, Custom Lycra Colors, Custom Printed Lycra, (reseller and manufacturer)
http://www.facebook.com/ridethepigstudioshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/pigdroppings
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