Skip to main content

The Five Kigurumi Fallacies

· 4 min read
Kigurumi Professor
Serial Rambler

Way too many kigurumi fall into the same traps when it comes to socializing.

Kigurumi Fallacy #1: We share a hobby so we surely are all friends​

A fallacy common to way too many hobbies, just because you share a hobby doesn't mean you're all friends. Actual friendship takes time, effort, mutual interest, and some level of social skills.

Buying a mask doesn't buy you into friends. Kigurumi is not a club, it's a hobby.

Similarly don't assume just because you aren't invited to something that you are unwanted. Sometimes things are planned well in advance, under various constraints, or sometimes a space has specific core interests.

Kigurumi Fallacy #2: Feedback is criticism​

Feedback is not always criticism, and criticism is not always feedback.

Kigurumi is an iterative hobby, everyone has ways to improve. It's a good idea to be open to feedback, on the other hand not every comment is feedback or done in good faith.

Good friends help others improve, but bad friends will only point out flaws and not help the other person improve. Learning to differentiate between the two is a social skill in and of itself, as is knowing how to communicate feedback in a constructive way. These are not social skills that everyone has, its important to learn them.

Especially for newer kigurumi, there are often many basic mistakes that can be made and should be helped out with. Mask needs more padding, shapewear isn't layered well, etc. In a twisted sense some toxic positivity spaces will often avoid helping out with these mistakes, sometimes out of fear of it being perceived as criticism, sometimes because the older members genuinely don't want new kigurumi to succeed.

Kigurumi Fallacy #3: Masks let you get away with anti-social behavior​

Just because you have a mask doesn't mean you can do anything. If you wouldn't do something without the mask on, probably don't do it with the mask on.

An example is wearing revealing latex in public, or making others similarly uncomfortable. You may get away with it, but you may also get called out for it. People rarely want to associate with those who aren't respectful of others. Especially so if you're visiting another country, do as the other kigurumi do, don't treat it as a free pass to do whatever you want.

Don't just assume consent from other kigurumi, talk to them.

Just because some kigurumi have interests in NSFW things doesn't mean everyone does, or that they want to do it with everyone. Communication is key.

Kigurumi Fallacy #4: Kigurumi is my only hobby​

Please please please have other hobbies and interests. Related to the first fallacy, having other hobbies and interests will help you make more friends and be more likely to be invited to things. Kigurumi is a hobby, not a lifestyle. Don't let it be your only social outlet.

Kigurumi Fallacy #5: We're all kigging for the same reasons​

Many people kig for many different reasons. Don't assume everyone kigs for the same reason you do, or that you're the only one who kigs for a particular reason.

Some kig for reasons such as:

  • To be characters they feel impossible in the flesh
  • To express themselves
  • For the mascot aspects
  • For the anonymity
  • For the anonymity so they can get away with being creepy
  • To crossdress
  • Sensory deprivation
  • Leaning into the doll nature of kigurumi
  • To be a meme
  • For the challenge

Unfortunately many of the more nsfw varieties of kigurumi often assume others are doing it for the same reasons they are, and will often act accordingly. Alternatively a number of sfw purists judge others as clearly being nsfw when they're not, a particularly harmful stance as its often used to incorrectly bully or ostracize others.

Bonus: Kig Fan Social Fallacy #1: You replied to my comment so we must be friends​

Way too many kig fans will assume that just because you interact with their comment in any capacity, that you must want to be their friend rather than just being friendly.