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Becoming a Kitsune: Crystal and Elemental Tails

 In the world of Kitsune characters, there are popular characters that have tails made out of non-fuzzy material. Crystal tails and elemental tails (such as fire tails) are a fairly common interpretation. So this post will go into different considerations and methods for designing a costume with a magic tail. 

Crystal Persuasion 

Thanks to some popular characters, there are lots of tutorials and patterns available for crystal tails. I have linked to a few below. 

So some of the design questions to answer for your crystal tail are: 
  • Is it going to be opaque or semi-transparent (see-through) 
  • What color(s) to use
  • Adding any lights or special effects
  • Position and number of tails 
Since crystal tails are not flexible, you are going to end up with some sort of posed pattern. Although you could make it a hanging tail and not need a bunch of internal structures. 

Materials for the Tail

For opaque tails, you can use EVA foam, PVC board, foam boards, cardboard, card paper or regular paper. 

Transparent tails you are likely going to be limited to PETG plastic or Worbla Clear

You can add Reflective materials: vinyl, cellophane, mirror tape, Cricut paper, spandex

Due to the tail needing to be posed, you're likely going to need supports for the tail that are rather solid. 

You can still use any of the material for a posed fur tail such as Wire, pool noodles, but most tails used a more solid support such as a pvc rod, acrylic rod, wooden dowel.

Making Tail Patterns

The crystal tail is made up of facets that form the fox tail shape. So you have a couple choices on patterns. 

One, download a premade pattern. I've linked to a few below but these require you to print out the templates trace them onto your final material, then cut and assemble the pieces. 

Or you create a pattern yourself. This can be done by creating a duct tape form that you draw facets onto then cut. You can also sculpt a smaller version of the tail with air clay, wrap it in duct tape and create a scaled down version of your pattern. It'll take some mathematical measurement conversions but you'll have the necessary shape. 

Alternatively, you can create/find a 3D model, then use an unwrapping program like Pepakura to create a pattern. (See Pepakura tutorial linked below). 

References: 

Patterns

eBook

Kinpatsu Ears and Tails Book

Videos: 

Transparent Tails:


Opaque Tails


Pepakura for Cosplay (Punished Props)

Elemental Tails

So Crystal tails and ICE tails are covered, let's talk about the other elements. 

These tail designs are a bit more on the abstract side so you have your choice of interpretation of things like wind, fire or water. 

The key to these tails is to determine the support structure and build around that. Fire, water and air are "flexible" so a wire based structure makes sense. Wood, Stone, or Metal are less wiggly so a more solid shape would be appropriate. 

Materials

The world is your oyster with element tails, it's not easy to give a clear list of materials to use. Although in my mind some of these materials would include a wide variety of fabrics: 
  • Tulle
  • Gauze
  • Wired Ribbon
  • Foss Shape
  • Spandex
  • Sequined Fabric
  • Faux Fur
Everything else you'll end up using some of the common cosplay accessory materials: 
  • EVA Foam
  • Thermal Plastics
  • PETG
  • Paper Mache
  • Foam 
  • etc
That's all I can muster on Crystal and Elemental Tails. Building your references will be key to answering design questions about construction. But all these tails will follow the same attachment method rules. 
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