Preparing this Cheshire Cosplay styling took some time, and today we finally completed the shoot combined with Teacher Xiaoshu's Manjuu Games arsenal. As an Azur Lane player, the Manjuu holds special significance for both the character and the work itself; thus, in set design and prop placement, it required not only faithful reproduction of the costume, but also seamlessly integrating these iconic plushie elements into the frame. For the shoot, we selected this indoor venue where the carpet patterns and the blue light filtering through the stained glass matched the character's inherent color palette beautifully, rendering the visuals soft yet rich in layers.
First, talking about the wig: this gray-brown gradient combined with turquoise-green streaks on both sides required delicate layering in transitions from roots to tips. The trimming of the bangs and side locks directly determines the character's temperament; once given fluffy edges and paired with this oversized lace headpiece, the overall balance emerged. The headpiece craftsmanship was very solid—white base fabric edged with black lace and accented by gold embroidery. It was quite heavy, requiring clips to anchor firmly to the inside of the wig to prevent shifting.
In terms of costume, it features an overall black-and-white maid outfit cut, with lavish lace ruffles stacked along the neckline and cuffs, and fabric that holds a subtle sheen. This intricate lace structure worked wonders in close-up shots (such as the close-up holding the cage in Photo 2), where the black-and-white contrast accentuated facial details. Meanwhile, the outward-flaring capelet design on the shoulders, paired with strap elements at the cuffs and waist, visually broadened the shoulder silhouette, giving the look a sharper contour while complementing the weight of props held in hand.
Huge thanks for this shoot go to Teacher Xiaoshu for providing the Manjuu Games arsenal support. The wide variety of Manjuu sizes proved extremely versatile for composition. For instance, in Photo 1, several small Manjuu scattered along the steps, combined with the patterned carpet, created spatial guidance leading the viewer's eye downward for richer narrative depth. In Photo 2, the white cage held in hand containing a Manjuu added theatrical tension; paired with a dreamy gaze and a cheek-cupping pose, it subtly highlighted the character's personality traits.
The ambient lighting on set was ideal—leaning cool-toned overall, with blue-green light streaming through the stained glass on both sides perfectly echoing the hair color, avoiding harsh shadow washouts common with flat white overhead lighting. During shooting, to arrange several Manjuu plushies naturally, we tested angles on the stairs multiple times to control doll placement without obscuring too much carpet pattern, experimenting across overhead, eye-level, and close-up focal lengths. In particular, the still-life shot in Photo 3 served as an establishing overview of the scene's mood and palette—fully revealing the Manjuu, carpet motifs, stained glass, and wooden doors so viewers could appreciate the shooting environment and staging concept.
In terms of expressiveness, the makeup prioritized clarity, focusing on eyeliner colors echoing the palette, matched with coordinated contact lenses to preserve character recognition alongside an authentic anime aesthetic. Despite the elaborate, ornate dress, I aimed for lighter, more relaxed poses during shooting to keep the look from feeling overly stiff or weighed down. Overall, the photoshoot went smoothly; the coordination across costume, props, and setting was seamless, and the final visual quality matched my original vision, with every detail blending comfortably into this blue-violet ambiance.