[Yae Sakura cosplay] Honkai Impact 3rd Tougen Renka: Happy Birthday, Yae Sakura

Happy Birthday to Yae Sakura! Today I'm finally sharing this finished Tougen Renka cosplay shoot. Back when I first got into Honkai Impact 3rd MMDs, Tougen Renka left the deepest impression on me, and ever since then, I've always wanted to do this look. From early prep to the actual shoot took a lot of thought and effort, and today is the perfect occasion to post these photos for Sakura's birthday.

First, regarding the wardrobe and styling: I chose a short pink wig trimmed with high layering to give the crown a fluffy, voluminous feel, paired with plush pink Bunny ears. For makeup, the focus was firmly on the eyes—blue contact lenses are the soul of the look, with light pink eyeshadow as the base to accentuate the outer corners, preserving a cool, detached aura. The cheongsam is a white modernized cut made from fabric with a subtle satin sheen. The neckline features a mandarin stand collar with metal clasps, while white floral embroidery graces the chest and torso. The skirt features a single-side high slit, styled with lace-trimmed lace-up White stockings and white Mary Jane high heels. Whether moving or sitting, the leg lines and stocking trim details show clearly, adding visual dimension. The pink oil-paper umbrella in my hands was custom-made, with floral patterns on the canopy echoing the cherry blossom tree in the background.

Setting up the studio took a substantial amount of time. To recreate that classic atmosphere, we set up a three-panel folding screen painted with peonies, scattered pink petals across the floor, and placed an artificial cherry blossom tree and dark faux rocks on the left, topped with a white crane prop. A wooden table held several traditional antique ornaments. For lighting, the key light used a warm-toned softbox angled from the front-side, creating smooth transitions across my face and dress while avoiding the flat stiffness of direct lighting.

Photo 1 is a mid-length close-up holding the umbrella. Both hands clasp the handle across my chest, with my body tilted slightly. This posture primarily aims to convey a quiet, composed state with restrained eyes and no exaggerated expression. Photo 2 is a full-body shot seated on a high stool. We tested this sitting stance several times: crossing the legs allows the slit skirt to drape naturally while visually elongating leg proportions. Because the stilettos have slim heels, balancing on a wooden stool while watching the high slit required vigilance to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions, with my assistant constantly helping smooth the skirt and touch up makeup.

The overall color scheme was kept within pink, white, and warm amber tones. Post-processing focused on contrast and skin tone adjustments, preserving natural skin texture and fabric details without excessive smoothing. From prop prep to grading, everything stayed as close as possible to the game's original aesthetic. Seeing mentions of DLCs in the thread, as a veteran player, I genuinely hope the developers roll one out soon. This Tougen Renka set is my birthday gift to Yae Sakura.