#kigu

🖤 - @ kikigurumi.bsky.social

Ooh admittedly I'm speaking from the perspective of someone from the UK, so we don't really get much heat but we also really aren't very good at handling any amount of it either (speaking as someone currently dying figuratively in a heat wave T_T) With that said, in my experience it's mostly a combination of dressing for the weather, proper hydration, making use of electric fans (there's neck ones that are popular with furries that are super handy for kig as well, but all are super nice) and making sure you take breaks when you need to. For outdoor excursions, it's super handy having a parasol of some kind too or at least making sure you can take frequent breaks in shaded areas.

Sometimes you just have to de-mask and that's fine, your safety and comfort comes before all else and even if you're quite averse to doing that, it's very important to take a moment to just sit down in the shade for a bit and let your body cool down when it starts to feel uncomfy. Always make sure to bring drinks and if you or a handler has room, bringing ice packs or similar can be a godsend on particularly hot and long excursions.

Clothing is probably the most important aspect of your kig set up itself in regards to heat. Frankly the clothes you wear are a much bigger factor than the kig itself in most cases, the bodysuit and mask are both surprisingly breathable on average. The biggest issue I tend to find is my own hot breath building up inside the mask but a slight breeze is enough to air most masks out and a fan can do so on command.

If you can find thinner and lighter material versions of a cosplay, that can be super handy to have in the wardrobe for those hot days. More generally a fun plus to kig is that you can wear whatever you like really and still be an anime character. On hot days perhaps it's time to ditch the kimono or maid outfit for the beach or similarly summer themed episode fit. Even your own human mode casual-wear can be good to wear.

More generally, pacing your movement is effective. Been to a couple park meetups where, despite it being very cool and overcast, running around at the non-kigs' pace was a recipe for a very hot and out of breath anime doll >_> If at a house or hotel, keeping activities casual and a bit lower energy will help and when out and about keeping to casual strolls with plenty of breaks in shaded areas will keep you going a lot longer. With Cons, knowing a few spots that are less dense with people that you can escape to for breathers is really really handy and if you're getting a lot of interaction with passing people, it might be a good idea to just park your butt there for a bit and let people come to you rather than wandering around constantly in the warmth. The last point I'll make is make sure to communicate! Please for the love of all things silly and joyful never just suffer in silence.

It's good to agree with handlers and other kigs on hand signs or such in advance, something that signals you need a rest or a drink or just need to get out of kig entirely.

If you need people to slow down their walking pace, make sure to signal, mime, or just outright speak. If you need a moment to step out from burning hot studio lighting for a breather, make sure to communicate!

More Joy!!!

Decidueye Kigu vtuber asset now available to pick up from my Ko-fi shop! Includes shiny variation!