[37 cosplay] The Glimmering Moment of Reverse: 1999

I am 37, and only 37. This time, I completed the cosplay photoshoot of 37 from Reverse: 1999 in a studio with photographer @QingYun. This time, I prepared light blue long hair, a cream-white robe, a golden neck piece, and arm rings, with the coordinated staging being a major highlight.

The Roman columns, pink tulle draperies, and stained-glass windows in the studio, paired with a massive collection of white and pink flowers on a white plush rug, created a very soft atmosphere. Whether holding an ancient tome, lifting that birdcage lantern, or facing the camera with a picture frame, these props and movements were all geared toward searching for an inner sense of peace. Everyone says 37 is a number, a tiny stone, so when making expressions, I mainly wanted to catch that state of being devoid of joy or sorrow—clear yet carrying a hint of melancholy.

The biggest challenge during the shoot was actually the wig. The hair is very long and flowing, but it gets messy easily; for those photos where I was lying down, the hair had to be laid out completely flat, which took a long time to adjust. The dress drops beautifully, but when sitting on the rug or the Roman columns, the hemline had to be continuously adjusted. The photographer was very patient, waiting for me to fix the styling every time. Frankly, for that pose looking up at the white dove, my arm felt really sore holding the prop, but seeing the compositional result made it feel totally worth it.

In terms of lighting, diffuse soft light was used this time, making the skin tone look very translucent. Paired with the texture of the ethereal outfit, the overall frame carries a hazy beauty under the dreamy light and shadow. I absolutely love the movement with the picture frame in the second photo; it feels as if I am truly framed within a certain cognition. This externalized interpretation of the character's inner traits is precisely the first visual impression this cosplay photoshoot wants to deliver to everyone.

The makeup was deliberately kept clean and light, only emphasizing the depth of the eyes. Paired with color contacts, it elevated the overall harmless look. I didn't wear any shoes on my feet either; the moment I stepped onto the plush rug, although there was a bit of dust, this authentic tactile sensation felt very realistic. I intentionally avoided overly strained poses in my movements, opting instead for a lazy, casual, or even slightly confused relaxation, such as sitting while hugging my knees, or lying on the rug with my hair spread out.

Actually, I've always felt that in the process of cosplay, finding the character's core mindset is the most important thing, not just having the outfit. Therefore, in this cosplay photoshoot, I attempted to convey 37's sense of destiny—of being merely a grain of sand or a tiny stone in the infinite universe that could be wiped away at any moment or place—through my own body language and gaze. Teacher QingYun's capturing speed and angles were excellent, leaving basically no wasted frames.

Shooting this style of photo requires meticulous preparation and on-site orchestration. From stretching white and pink fabrics into draperies to the foreground and background layering of those white Roman columns and various props, everything was thoughtfully arranged. Even that picture frame—there was both one held in my hand and a suspended design; that sense of displacement perfectly echoes the paradox of numbers themselves.

Looking back at these six finished photos, each represents a specific emotional moment at that time. I hope those who see these pictures can also feel that tranquility and stubbornness amidst a noisy environment.