Becoming a Kitsune: Mini-Post about Animatronic Tails

Know what's dope? A tail that moves on its own! If the ears move too, bonus! However, you've given yourself a challenge that I myself have little to no expertise in...robotics or animatronics. So I'm going to offer some suggestions for further learning if you want to DIY as well as methods for the non-engineer types. (warning: May still require engineering.)

Full DIY Tutorials

3D Printing a simple Wagging tail - limp tail

3D Print skeleton

Instructables Fox tail

Pre-Built Tails/Ears

Heads up, these are generally expensive!

MiTail from The Tail Company

The Tail Company

Cosgear

Halloween Moving Fox Tail

Semi-Crafted Tails

These are just alternatives to purchasing the tail or full DIY. Helpful if you don't want to spend a fortune. These are just my ideas and I will admit are at this point untested. Although I do have the flopping fish toy and can confirm you can take the device out of the fish without hassle.

Flopping fish Cat toy - charges, touch-activated, Inexpensive. Find were the hinge is, secure half the fish to a tail post. It flops side to side for you whenever you bump it.

Pendulum clock kits - To be fair, not sure how well this one will work but it is something I thought about when doing research into this.

Simple Pre-built Servo - This is probably a good starting point in learning the very basics of building an animatronic. This will still require some education.

And that's what I've considered for a mechanically moving tail. Let me know if you have other suggestions and I can add them.

Comments

Hakama Series - Hibakama (Scarlet Hakama)

The bright red hakama with a white kimono is a common sight in both anime and video game characters. Shrine maidens or Miko also wear this combination of colors when they work at Shinto shrines. Honestly, there is a LOT of history and cultural significance wrapped up in this one. Anime/Games: Inuyasha, Genshin Impact, Sailor Moon, So let's talk Design. Design Considerations Cultural Significance This is one I'd pay attention to if I was creating a character of my own. I assume that already created characters have had this research done and have taken their artistic license. Some of the research taught me a few things: The color is technically scarlet or vermillion, not "red". 🤷 Miko are not part of the Shinto clergy. Sometimes they are just seasonal workers. Generally, Miko are young women in their teens or early 20s. After a certain age, they wear different colors. This was based on Heian nobility colors and fashions. Color Like I said earlier, the ...

Hakama Series - Side Opening Covers/Pockets

The side openings on hakama can feel a bit exposing if you're not wearing a full kimono underneath or perhaps you just can't stand to be without pockets! While these things are not necessarily historically accurate for the area, you can make it work. Modesty Panels These will be panels of fabric that hang from your waist at your sides where the openings of the hakama are. You can choose to attach these to the belts (himo) of your hakama or to make your own waistband. You can use any kind of cloth but the idea is to use any left over clothe from making your hakama. But if you want different colors or prints go for it. You will cut a rectangle with rounded corners that is 16" tall and about an inch wider than your side openings (sasahida). To keep it from fraying, either use a serger or overlock machine to finish the edges except at the top. Alternatively, use a zig-zag stitch on your regular sewing machine all around the edges except the top.. Make a waistband fro...

Hakama Series - Split Leg Hakama

This is the classic style that you likely think of when you hear the word "Hakama". Very wide-legged pleated trousers worn by swordsmen and warriors. Admittedly these are "modern" hakama. There are variations based on historical time period and social status. But these should suit most cases. So, lets go over how to make them! You will see examples of this in many games and Anime but some faves of mine include: Rurouni Kenshin, Bleach, Demon Slayer, XXXholic, Hell's Paradise and Genshin Impact. UPDATE 4/10/2024: I've redone all my instructions. Now that I've actually made a pair of hakama and found some more resources, I felt this needed updating. From Chihirohowe's Guide Design Elements Color For modern or fantasy character design, no limits to color! You can also use print fabric and add designs! Historically, these would be a solid color and often have a neutral color scheme (white, grey, black, brown). More colorful hakama were usually worn ...

Modesty's Costume Closet

Search This Blog