Today's Ellen Joe cosplay look was originally planned for a set of indoor still-life photos, but my little Cockatiel at home kept fluttering onto my shoulder, so I decided to take it along for a stroll outside. The wig was trimmed with blunt bangs and dyed with vibrant bright pink tips, accessorized with saw-tooth and X-shaped hair clips, faithfully capturing that street-style, rebellious flair of the Shark girl.
Before stepping out, I was worried the bird might get stressed, but it perched motionless on my shoulder, eyes darting inquisitively—its adaptability was genuinely off the charts. A white dress shirt is wonderfully versatile; paired with this hairstyle, taking mirror selfies in the elevator made the colorful star patterns on my phone case stand out nicely.
Speaking of this cosplay, I've loved Ellen Joe ever since playing Zenless Zone Zero. Her contrast as a Shark girl who seems lethargic on the surface yet fights with ruthless ferocity is incredibly charming. However, taking the bird out today carried zero combat intensity, giving off a thoroughly casual, laid-back loungewear vibe instead. The black short hair paired with that eye-catching pop of reddish-pink at the tips showed rich layering under natural light—a true-to-life depiction of OOC (Out of Character) Casual cosplay in the best way.
When snapping selfies, the phone tends to cover most of my face—partly because I haven't fully mastered my best angles yet, and partly because obscuring the face slightly shifts the visual focus onto the hairstyle and the Cockatiel on my shoulder, which actually works great. The red accents at the tips stood out distinctly against the black locks today, offering a lively splash of color from the side. The star-patterned phone case paired with this outfit somehow created a whimsical blend between 2D and real life.
The parrot's feathers are well-groomed, with its orange-red cheek patches looking especially prominent. Perched on my shoulder, its claws held firmly with zero intention of flying away. Taking my feathered baby out like this was such an entertaining experience. The shooting process was very relaxed without fussy props or complex lighting setups—just casually snapping photos in the hallways and indoors. This effortless everyday realism felt remarkably comfortable; without forcing dramatic poses or strictly mimicking signature combat stances, it was purely about spending an ordinary afternoon with my Cockatiel.
The Ellen Joe cosplay elements were primarily concentrated on the hair and clips, while the white shirt gave off the casual illusion of being off work or on a day off. This hybrid style is widely appreciated in the cosplay community right now, as people often love seeing characters integrate into relatable everyday life rather than remaining locked in tense combat stances. My little bird was undoubtedly the MVP of the day; its steady, curious gaze breathed so much vitality into the shots. I plan on taking it to an outdoor shoot next time—it might just make a fantastic photo partner! Posting these Casual cosplay selfies as a quick record; once I shoot a formal set, I'll be sure to share more.