Hi! If you’re a fan of Arcane, you’ve probably heard of Jinx and her iconic weapon, Fishbones, the oversized shark-shaped grenade launcher. One day, we received a cosplay commission request for this prop. As passionate creators and cosplay enthusiasts, we took on the challenge of bringing this legendary weapon to life.

Crafting Fishbones was no easy task—it required careful planning, creative problem-solving, and a lot of effort. In this article, I’ll take you through the entire process, from the initial concept to the final result. I’ll share the materials we used, the techniques that proved most effective, and some unexpected challenges we encountered along the way. Whether you’re working on your own Jinx cosplay or simply interested in prop-making, I hope this breakdown will be both useful and inspiring.

Stay tuned as I take you through the step-by-step journey of creating Fishbones.

Requirements and Steps

Before starting the build, we needed to ensure that Fishbones met several important requirements:

  1. The prop had to include LED lights inside the body, eyes, and mouth to replicate the glowing effect seen in Arcane.
  2. The jaw needed to be movable, allowing for dynamic posing and a more realistic appearance.
  3. The overall length had to be 120 cm, making it a true-to-scale replica, while still being lightweight and easy to carry for cosplay.
  4. Given its size, transportation was a major concern. The design had to allow for disassembly, making it more convenient for shipping and travel to conventions.

With these factors in mind, we started by creating a detailed 3D model. To keep the Jinx Fishbones cosplay prop lightweight, we avoided solid plastic for the entire structure. Instead, we designed a frame in circles, which allowed us to construct the main body using a transparent acrylic sheet and installing inside those circles. This approach maintained both durability and reduced weight.

For the moving jaw, we created a separate 3D model of the head, integrating both the head structure and a built-in mechanism with a handle. This design allows the user to grip the handle and activate the jaw movement by pulling the trigger. To enhance convenience, the head was designed as a detachable component, making it easy to disassemble when necessary. Likewise, the tail was also designed to be removable, ensuring better portability and easier transportation.

In the end, we structured Fishbones into three main parts: the tail, body, and head with the moving jaw. Each section was engineered to connect seamlessly, ensuring easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining stability and accuracy.

After completing the design phase, we moved on to 3D printing and assembly. This stage followed a standard process, including printing, sanding, and fitting the parts together. There were no unique challenges in this step, as we followed the usual assembly techniques to ensure a smooth and seamless build.

If you’re interested in a more detailed breakdown of the 3D printing and finishing process, you can check out our other article on the topic here.

Installing the EVA foam main parts

Once the 3D-printed structure was assembled, we moved on to installing the EVA foam elements. EVA foam was essential for adding depth, texture, and lightweight durability to the Fishbones build. It helped refine the overall shape while keeping the prop comfortable to carry.

We carefully cut and shaped the foam to match the contours of the 3D-printed base, ensuring a snug fit. The foam pieces were then heat-formed to maintain their structure and securely attached using contact glue for a strong and lasting bond. This step also allowed us to smooth out any harsh edges from the 3D print and create a more polished, game-accurate look.

With the EVA foam in place, Fishbones started to take on its pre-final form, preparing it for the next stage—painting and adding the LEDs.

For the LED setup, we installed lights inside the eyes and mouth. The eyes remain illuminated at all times, as does the mouth. However, when the jaw is closed, the glow is subtle, becoming much more visible when the jaw opens. This effect creates the illusion that Fishbones is charging up, ready to fire.

Inside the body, we placed LEDs along the top section, concealed beneath the EVA foam. While the lights themselves are hidden, their glow spreads across the entire acrylic sheet, creating a seamless and visually striking effect. This not only enhances the overall look but also gives Fishbones a dynamic, high-tech appearance.

The final step was adding small details and applying the last touches of paint. This stage brought everything together, enhancing the overall look and making sure every element matched the original design from Arcane. We carefully weathered the surface to give Fishbones a more battle-worn, authentic appearance while ensuring all details stood out.

With the finishing touches complete, the Fishbones cosplay prop was officially done! The result is a lightweight, durable, and highly detailed replica, ready for conventions, photoshoots, and cosplay events.

Please, find a cosplay Jinx Fishbones grenade launcher replica on our website here.