[Maruyama Aya Cosplay] BanG Dream! Daily Log of Pink Wavy Hair and Handmade Uniform

Focusing on the tailoring of this sailor suit style Anime-style outfit paired with a long wavy Pink wig actually required a lot of research beforehand. Today's set consists of simple candid captures under indoor lighting; to faithfully recreate Maruyama Aya's classic look in BanG Dream!, I spent considerable time selecting and trimming the wig. Pink wavy curly wigs are notoriously tricky to manage; to avoid an overly heavy look, the top section must undergo wig thinning, while the curls on both sides had to be repositioned using a curling iron so they would hug my face naturally without looking awkward.

On the makeup front, as you can see, my focus was on eye makeup. To match her playful, energetic gaze, I chose deep reddish-brown contact lenses paired with a fine tightline and a subtle flicked eyeliner tail. Glitter on the lower eyelid not only brightened the aegyo sal but added a touch of stage-like dreaminess, echoing her idol atmosphere. For lips, I chose a hydrating lip tint so that under indoor lighting, the lip reflection would look natural and full.

Styling this garment also took extra effort—it wasn't just a matter of slipping it on. If a sailor suit collar lacks structure, the overall texture suffers immensely. I reinforced the inner side of the white sailor collar to ensure it remained crisp and upright. Under the light, the red ribbon tie has a subtle velvet texture that contrasts sharply against the brown cotton fabric, making it an instant visual focal point. White cuffs trimmed with delicate black lines add further details faithful to canon character design.

When shooting this set, I wanted a relaxed and casual ambiance, avoiding overly exaggerated poses. After all, an authentic everyday feel is a key aspect of her persona. In Photo 1, reaching my hand forward creates an interactive visual connection, as if actually conversing with everyone. In Photo 2, tapping my index finger against my cheek captures a playfully mischievous and lively moment.

Lighting control during the shoot posed a small challenge as well. I positioned myself near natural light while adding a softbox to the direct side—illuminating facial contours without creating harsh, unnatural glare on the wig. During post-processing, I avoided heavy skin smoothing or liquify tools, preserving natural skin texture and hair strands to convey unpretentious, genuine beauty.

As for Maruyama Aya, her deep craving for the stage, desire for recognition, combined with her clumsy yet hardworking nature, is truly touching. When doing Maruyama Aya cosplay, beyond matching her appearance, I aim to align with her essence through facial expressions and body language. Without genuine emotional empathy, an outfit remains just a hollow shell, so I kept facial expressions natural, focusing my gaze on subtle, relaxed moments.

Many people ask what my favorite part of cosplay is. For me, it's not the final photos, but the process of crafting everything from scratch. From the moment I receive the wig—unraveling the ends, trimming bangs, fine-tuning eyeliner in the mirror, to pinning up my hair before stepping into costume—every step is an indispensable part of my passion. These photos are a modest showcase of all that intricate preparation.

Over-sized sailor suit cuts can be unforgiving for narrow shoulders, but shoulder pads or inner layering can adjust the fit. I added localized padding so the shoulder line sits flat and structured, elevating the look and avoiding a "child wearing adult clothes" feel. Tying the ribbon is also key—neither too tight nor too loose, leaving enough breathing space so the ribbon flows gracefully when turning my head.

Although today's share is a simple look, preparation occupied nearly a week of my spare time. Sailor suit cosplay is not just imitating a character's exterior, but expressing their inner spirit. Through this practice, I also recognized room for growth in makeup detailing and wig styling. I look forward to attempting more exciting characters, with every shoot serving as a milestone in my aesthetic and crafting journey.