This set featuring Hoto Kokoa and Kafū Chino felt like revisiting an old memory—perhaps calling it a revisit to familiar ground wouldn't be an exaggeration—yet stepping into these roles again brought a genuinely fresh perspective. To faithfully capture the gentle ambiance of Is the Order a Rabbit?, our wardrobe featured the classic light yellow and pink knit cardigans over sailor collars, and extensive thought went into styling the wigs. Kokoa's orange-pink wig required heavily textured, feathered layers to look organic, while Chino's pale blue straight hair paired with a side ponytail and black cross-hairclips mirrored the original character design faithfully. The plush rabbit served as a crucial prop on set; without it, the scene felt as though it lacked the quintessential spirit of the Rabbit House.
The shooting took place beside an outdoor flowerbed. The vivid pink blossoms formed a lovely chromatic contrast against the warm palette of the garments. To highlight the chemistry and interaction between the two, we choreographed several natural dynamics—holding hands, gazing together at the plushie, or sitting side by side looking off in separate directions. This quiet sense of everyday warmth is precisely what makes the series so charming. Kokoa is bubbly and outgoing while Chino is reserved and quiet; beyond costume differences, facial nuance and body language were essential during the shoot. I strove to keep Kokoa's gaze lively and bright, while Chino's eyes carried a gentle detachment and contemplation. Sitting along the steps with crossed legs not only suited the sailor uniform and pleated skirt aesthetic, but also organically framed the over-the-knee White stockings. The low-angle composition elongated the leg lines while the shallow depth of field softly blurred the cluttered surroundings to keep the focus firmly on the characters.
The entire shoot unfolded in a remarkably relaxed atmosphere, with seamless synergy between my partner and me. Bringing beloved characters to life through this creative medium is a deeply fulfilling and joyful experience in its own right. Maintaining a genuine passion for the characters and continually refining every subtle detail has always been my guiding approach.