[Ao Run cosplay] Ne Zha 2: The Dragon Clan Breaking Free from Purgatory's Shackles

Today's character photoshoot features Ao Run from Ne Zha 2. Slipping into this entire ensemble felt like being bound tight, especially the upper torso: to recreate that dragon-scale texture, the corset and arm bracers were crafted with extensive faux scales. The internal boning was cinched very tightly, making standing and posing physically demanding.

The dragon horns on my head were sculpted into dimensional wing-like shapes according to character designs, fastened to the long blue wavy wig using pins and hidden elastic straps. The weight was manageable, but during dynamic motion they tended to tilt, requiring frequent adjustments by hand. For the makeup, I invested serious effort: to complement the cool tone, the eyes were swept with broad gradients of blue, with fine glitters accenting the cheekbones and forehead. Paired with pale-blue contacts, it brought out an enigmatic, fantastical aura.

The ultra-long black-to-blue gradient claws on my hands were undoubtedly the most eye-catching accessories, as well as the trickiest hurdle during the shoot. Because of their length, casting spells or striking attack poses easily caused them to tangle with the fabric or wig strands, so I had to mentally rehearse every movement in advance. Down below, dark fishnet Stockings were paired with glossy blue high heels; the skirt incorporated multiple sheer gauze layers with a high side slit, perfectly accentuating Long legs on camera. To achieve this silhouette, fabric sourcing and sizing alterations were repeated multiple times, particularly for the dragon-head ornament at the waist, which required concealed ties to hold its sculptural shape.

Shooting at the Anime convention hall, the photographer and I communicated extensively to capture the best light. The outstretched arm poses in the first and fourth shots demanded rock-solid balance while projecting a cool, menacing aura. For the third pose—leaning against an exhibition booth with one leg lifted—I tried several takes; with sky-high heels on a slippery floor, finding the right anchor point was crucial to avoid slipping. The close-up in the second shot aimed to showcase facial nuances and claw tension; leaning forward slightly highlighted the scales on the chest and the jawline. Because the claw props restricted finger mobility, I even needed friends to help me hold water bottles.

Getting in and out of this gear was extremely tedious, and every break required caution to avoid damaging scales or knocking off a claw. Air conditioning inside the hall was lacking that day; wrapped in a dense wig and heavy scaled armor made me sweat heavily, requiring frequent makeup touch-ups. However, previewing the lighting results in the camera viewfinder made everything worth it. The cool-toned lighting paired with the blue wig flawlessly showcased the metallic sheen of the props and the layered scales. The dynamic captures of the billowing skirt breathed living energy into the ensemble, making this one of my most satisfying photoshoots recently.