Before shooting, I communicated with photographer WiFi for a long time because I wanted to present a Yae Sakura that differs from conventional perceptions. Moving away from purely traditional styles, we combined the sleek capability of an office environment with the character's natural agility. Thus came this black suit dress combination you see.
The wig was trimmed and styled to match the overall crisp look. The most eye-catching feature is, of course, the giant pair of animal ears on top of my head; securing them actually required some ingenuity to keep them from swaying during the shoot and maintain their upright posture. I chose soft colors for the inner shirt and scarf to balance out the seriousness brought by the suit.
As for props, I held that matching plushie throughout the entire shoot. Because of its large size, it was actually quite heavy in hand. To convey a sense of intimacy, I specifically adjusted my arm postures both when lifting it up and holding it while seated. The red-and-white traditional outfit details on the plushie are very delicate, forming a fascinating contrast with my modern attire.
Most of the time for this photo set was spent in the studio. The ambient temperature was actually quite low, but since legs were exposed, wearing black stockings and high heels required a bit of adjustment to the cold. The sitting posture shot in Photo 2 happens to showcase the leg lines nicely; combined with the suit and plushie, the overall visual center of gravity is very balanced, making it an angle I personally really love.
If you look closely at Photo 5, you might notice a detail where a partner beside me is grabbing my ear with their hand. That was actually a fun little behind-the-scenes episode captured during a moment when I was resting with my eyes closed to adjust my state. Privately, I really enjoy those authentic, relaxed candid snapshots.
Participating in the Honkai Impact 3rd Creator Incentive Program gave me the opportunity to attempt more derivative outfits outside regular convention setups. Although it is still Yae Sakura, this idea of bringing a 2D anime character into a real-life office environment feels like a successful crossover attempt. Looking back at the final images now, I feel all the dressing up and posing were thoroughly worth it.
In terms of clothing texture, the suit fabric was chosen for its excellent drape to avoid wrinkles. The pairing of stockings and high heels echoed the overall office lady (OL) theme. Although the heels were somewhat high, sitting on a support frame wasn't overly tiring; instead, it helped straighten the calves, making the image look even sleeker.
Many people might be curious about the appeal of this outfit in real life. I personally feel that if a character's core essence is captured, no matter how the external appearance changes, it will carry its own sense of story. This time, I tried facing the camera with a gentle expression, aiming to convey a sense of warm care. Even when wearing a suit that might seem somewhat distant, it doesn't stop me from showcasing the unique approachability of this character.
Seeing many convention photos returned by fellow fans, I dedicated myself deeply to this interpretation. Whether standing with the plushie protected in front or turning around to gaze at it, every angle was carefully considered by the photographer's composition. Photo 1 nicely presents that posture of guardianship. In the final images, tiny floating particles of light in the air enhanced the cool atmospheric tone, perfectly reflecting my understanding of this character—quiet, resolute, yet with a touch of mysterious color.
Although the shooting process lasted several hours, the unspoken understanding with WiFi was fantastic; a simple call was enough to know how to transition to the next pose. The jacket I wore was cinched at the waist, and the scarf at the neckline provided visual layering extensions when moving. I am very fortunate to participate in this type of creation—it's not only an anime cosplay session, but also a fun practical attempt at breaking the fourth wall between 2D anime and reality.