[Ellen Joe cosplay] Full-Body Showcase of Zenless Zone Zero's Shark Maid at Comic Convention

This black-and-white maid combat outfit at the convention is one of my favorite recent photo shoots. This time, I cosplayed Ellen Joe from Zenless Zone Zero, whose overall design blends the elegance of a maid with the sharpness of a combat girl. Once I decided to cosplay this character, I put a lot of effort into accuracy, especially the costume's fine details.

The jagged metal elements on the headpiece and the X-shaped hair clip on the side match the character's design perfectly. Paired with the subtle dark red gradient at the roots of the wig, the hairstyle achieved rich depth under the stage lights. For makeup, I chose reddish lip and eye shadow shades to brighten my complexion, while subtle accents on the outer lower lash line sharpened my gaze, perfectly balancing the innocence of the maid outfit. The most captivating parts of the costume, in my opinion, are the black spiked choker around the neck and the black leather straps across the chest and waist. Layering these edgy elements over the black-and-white dress creates great depth without feeling monotonous.

Today's convention schedule was quite packed. Not long after entering the hall, I met several groups of photographers in the aisles. Photos 1 and 2 capture just a glimpse of that moment—some snapped quick close-ups with their phones, while others set up professional camera rigs and fill lights. When the cameras were rolling, I was actually quite relaxed; resting my chin in my hands with a smile conveyed the sweet-yet-cool vibe of this outfit nicely. Passersby were also snapping photos nearby, and the close, lively interaction on the floor was truly memorable.

The afternoon stage segment was the highlight of the day. The moment I stepped onto the stage, the massive blue LED screen and candy-colored backdrops behind me created a striking visual contrast with my black-and-white maid outfit. Photos 3 and 4 show my full-body look on stage. I personally recommend these as cover shots because they fully showcase the lower-body details of the character. The diamond-patterned black tights paired with chunky-heeled Mary Janes not only elongated my leg lines but also brought out the ultimate chic, battle-maid aesthetic in this black tights outfit. Sharing the stage with a friend cosplaying a pink twintail character, both immersed in our roles, made breaking the fourth wall feel incredibly fun.

With so many metallic trims and strap decorations, this maid outfit is admittedly not the most comfortable to wear. Standing all day put quite a bit of strain on my feet, but fortunately, the chunky heels I picked offered decent arch support, allowing me to stay energetic for most of the day. Wearing black tights at a crowded convention can also be tricky, as snags or runs happen easily in tight spaces, so I made sure to take extra care to keep the outfit intact.

The final photos made all the preparation feel completely worth it. Beyond the high quality of the costume itself, the lighting and staging at the venue added so much to the shots. During convention photography, I also connected with some experienced photographers who offered great tips on posing and angles, making it a wonderful learning experience. As someone who regularly attends conventions, capturing myself in such a polished outfit is truly rewarding. From interpreting the character to preserving memories of the event atmosphere, this trip left a deep impression on me. I hope to take on more characters with similar styles in the future!