Cosplaying Ellen Joe from Zenless Zone Zero this time required plenty of thought regarding the outfit and props. Let's start with the costume—overall it's a Gothic maid ensemble; while it looks incredibly sharp, getting the fit right was quite a test. The black leather harness straps and metal chains across the chest and waist had to be cinched securely so they wouldn't slip during action poses, while still leaving enough slack for movement. The lace trim along the skirt hem and the star motif on the back serve as visual focal points; to support the skirt's silhouette, an appropriate petticoat was layered underneath to achieve a fluffy, natural drape. For the lower body, I paired it with sheer black stockings of moderate denier, allowing skin texture to show through under the lights without excessive glare. Combined with black high heels during the shoot, the leg-elongating effect was dialed in just right.
For the wig, the blunt-banged black short hair needed layered thinning, with subtle pink dip-dyed tips adding essential detail. I used hair wax to craft a subtly tousled texture, preventing it from lying flat against the scalp. The geometric headpiece required special reinforcement to ensure it stayed put even through dynamic poses. The highlight of the makeup was the red contact lenses and the subtle reddish smudge at the outer corners of the eyes. To replicate that character's signature aloof detachment, I tested multiple angles to lock down the right gaze, immediately applying eye drops afterwards for relief.
The weapon prop in my hands had considerable heft; balancing the long-handled scythe required proper weight distribution. When wielding it, my wrists and arms had to engage simultaneously to make the heavy weapon look effortless. In the vintage study and leather sofa shots, I adjusted my seating posture multiple times to showcase the garment's back structure and overall silhouette. Sitting on the leather sofa, extending my legs forward elongated the visual lines while keeping my upper body upright and poised. The biggest hurdle throughout the shoot was coordinating movements with the costume: since leather is relatively stiff, sitting down or raising an arm caused pulling and tension, requiring constant vigilance over the drape and folds of the fabric.
The overall lighting relied on soft indoor ambient light, prioritizing facial illumination and the supple luster of the faux leather. We experimented with an array of angles during this shoot—from standing stances brandishing the weapon to relaxed seated postures on the sofa—hoping to reveal the multifaceted layers of this anime cosplay from various dimensions. Looking back on the whole journey, though the prop was heavy and the outfit stifling, seeing the impact in the final cuts made every preliminary adjustment completely worthwhile.