[Hotori Tadase Cosplay] Shugo Chara!, Those Years as a King in the Human World

Doing this classic anime cosplay is entirely due to my obsession with classic works, and the core of this shoot was to restore the character in memory who is gentle yet carries a hint of kingly aura. The image in the photos wearing a small crown, an off-white ruffled coat, and holding a scepter is precisely the youth in my heart.

When initially preparing the costume, the biggest difficulty was the material and the overall silhouette of the clothes. Looking at the layers of stacked neckline pleats and the highly exaggerated ruffled cuffs in the photos, to create this lightweight yet three-dimensional fluffiness, the tailor and I repeatedly made multiple patterns. Finally, we chose a somewhat rigid organza lining to support the outer chiffon fabric, achieving this current effect that looks draped but not limp. The crown was custom-made from alloy by a prop master and then hand-painted with baked finish. The red ball at the top of the scepter and the golden base also received special wear-resistant treatment, giving it a real sense of weight when held in hand.

Regarding makeup, to fit the image full of purity and unique temperament in the anime, I abandoned the conventional heavy 2D makeup. The base makeup was made as light and translucent as possible, weakening bone shadows, and the focus was placed on the depiction of the eyes. Through the combination of eyeliner and light-colored contact lenses, I aimed to capture that cool yet gentle look from the original work. For this blonde cosplay, the light golden wig was also trimmed and styled, intentionally preserving the messy feel of the hair strands, so that it would have a more natural luster under outdoor light and shadow, preventing it from looking too obviously like a wig.

The sun was very bright on the day of the shoot. We chose an outdoor park with a wooden pavilion. Figure 1 and Figure 4 are group photos taken in the pavilion with a group of friends. That feeling of being surrounded, laughing, and interacting together really felt like bringing a daily scene from the anime into reality. As for Figure 2 and this close-up selected as the cover, the background was switched to a red flower wall and greenery. This large area of color contrast perfectly highlights the white clothes and golden accessories on my body, making me look as if I am bathed in soft light, immediately elevating the atmospheric vibe.

The phrase "Those Years as a King in the Human World" is truly interesting. After finishing this cosplay photoshoot, I truly felt how happy it is to materialize a 2D character in reality. Although it is a classic work from many years ago, there are still many aspects worth appreciating today. I hope this set of photos can also convey that unique charm and nostalgia belonging solely to classic anime to those who see it.