The Many Faces of Subwoolfer

Oh wow! A post!

Many people have their theories on who is "really under the mask" of Subwoolfer. And the list seems endless. Personally? I hope we never find out or at least not for a very, very, very long while. Keith and Jim are perfect just the way they are: I adore everything about them, especially exploring their lore - which I have a page for right here.

But there is one detail about them I want to bring attention to - a detail that might not yet been talked about. The different designs of their "masks." Call it as a causal attempt in making it tiny bit easier for cosplayers. Probably less than that. Less than "less than..." I just want to ramble about something, okay?

If one day we do find out who they "really are," one of the elements of them I'd love to know their thought process on is their masks. Questions like - why change their original design? Was it uncomfortable or impracticable? Or was it more a cosmetic upgrade to say look more like a wolf? Or was it simply just a preference thing?
And truth be told I wouldn't mind if they one day show a tutorial.

As I'm writing this post, there have been four different versions, and this post will go through them all. When I say "four" what I mean is four perceived ones. For all I know there might have been minor changes done, but not too noticeable, you know? Think of these four as "categories."

Anywho....

(1) The very beginning version

Now as you know, I jumped on the Subcub train when Eurovision was showcasing each country's entries. So I missed out on experiencing fully their first two designs.

This particular one is their most alien design, I think. It seems to me they slapped on some foam at the sides of their heads, stitched on something that vaguely resembles a snout with teeth, and Bob's your uncle viola! Keith and Jim born. I am 90% sure that if I were a little girl still, I probably would have had nightmares about this version. But that's just me.

This version is prevalent in the "Give That Wolf A Banana" music video as well as being an early version of their social media profile pics (some still have it, at the writing of this) and social media material.

It checks off all the right boxes, but I expect even they knew something was missing. Thus the next iteration.

(2) Starting to take shape

From my surfing around the interweb, it isn't clear when exactly this version was concocted. Maybe the earliest version for live performance?
And can we talk about those yellow suits that lasted for like one second???

It still has that very alien look but more defined as space wolves than the previous one. An attempt to mimic wolves' snouts more was made here for sure. It gives me the cosplayer vibe of "it's good enough!" after fighting with a material that won't go a way you want it. Like you have this specific design in your head, but it is as if the material knows this so it does the opposite (#experience). This vibe usually arrives during con crunch.

It is this design which we see the famous curvature from the mask. That curvature - from the ears to the snout - one could argue calls back to, well, a banana. And on the mobility end of things, it probably made it easier to rest the sunglasses.

This version also can be found in their early social media content (as well as their early performance). It also makes an appearance in "Give That Wolf A Romantic Banana" music video.

A firmer identity emerges. Things are starting to take shape. But there is room for improvements if one wants that ultra wolf look.

(3) An upgrade-ish?

Honestly, seeing this design in their National Final performance made me further adore these two more. I can't explain it either. The design mixed with the subtle adjustments they make to their suits just does all sorts of things to me; these two know exactly what they are doing. That performance still is my favourite, even if they slayed at Eurovision.

This one parallels more of a wolf's snout, with that more narrow round look. Up close it looks a bit unusual from the front. But from a distance? It really do be looking like a wolf ready for some partying. Very smart illusion. The banana look on the sides of the head I attempted to describe above remains.

This is my personal favourite version; I love the illusion part of things specifically.

This version is plastered in many of their social media content leading up to Eurovision, especially their parodies of the other Eurovision 2022 entries.

It certainly has its pros, but an argument can be made that the alien-ness subsided a little here. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and I can argue how it still has an alien-kinda-look. But like the saying goes: there is always room for improvements.

(4) Eurovision and beyond - current

As much as I like the previous version, this one really is smooth. And I understand why they changed it. It calls back to their previous ones and shows the growth from it. One thing I do find a huge positive is it looks more alien than the previous one - no wait, it looks more alien wolf, a best of both worlds.

I expect with this version all the issues previously (whether comfort or movability) have been addressed and fixed. Seems that way to me the way they move around in their videos. Of course, these are merely observations so take it with a grain of salt.

Here, their identity solidifies, and confidence thoroughly washes over them.

(5 but not really) Bonus!

In my observations I have come to a pretty interesting conclusion: there are differences in the face between Keith and Jim. If you're not looking for them, chances are you will miss them. I know I did before going down the banana hole. They are subtle but compliment each space wolf.

Let me try to explain it.

Through every iteration, Keith's snout seems to be wider than Jim's - especially observing topward. It isn't always obvious, though: the first iteration is the hardest to tell, truth be told. But you start to see some differences starting from the second.

The third one is a little more fascinating on this line: top view seems to have that mentioned difference but the nose circumference of each's differ. I can't pinpoint the exacts cause I think there might have been one time where it switches. But there is enough of a difference where one can possibly distinguish who is Keith and who is Jim, a lot easier than the other iterations.

Basically, Jim's tries to show narrow and elongated while Keith's tries to show width and shortness. And since Jim is taller than Keith, it compliments them perfectly.... of course, different head sizes may be a main factor for the "differences."

Roasting aside, all of them really do have their merits and serve a purpose. Think of them as a measurement of growth. At first, they were getting their bearings, laying the foundation for something greater - the creation stage. Then from there, they learned what worked and what didn't. They experimented here and there, but all with a goal in mind till finally that sweet spot appeared.

That's not to say they are done with experimenting. The "Melocoton" music video, for example, literally shows them "shirtless." I expect all sorts of experimenting. But with the masks, I tend to think they have found their identity. A tweaking may happen now and then, but I don't think a major change will happen... unless they decide to "reveal themselves." 

There's a life lesson somewhere there.

And with the lore they have created - establishing the fact they are shapeshifters - their different "masks" just adds more layers to what they have created. It is, quite frankly, genius.

What is your favourite version? And why? Comment down below, if, if you want to. Till the next post!

This post was written while listening to "Melocoton" on repeat.