To fit the joyful atmosphere of Children's Day, I prepared well in advance and released this Shanhaijing-themed cosplay project right on the holiday.
When shooting little Shun (corresponding to Photo 2), to convey the character's nimble agility, I specifically chose a real-life location with lush greenery and stone steps. Carrying an extremely long and somewhat heavy black prop bag while executing the dynamic gesture of looking back and waving required notable core strength. The black mini-skirt with white piped hems, paired with over-the-knee socks and chunky black platform shoes in this White tights cosplay styling, created a striking black-and-white contrast that photographed beautifully. Outdoor lighting was fantastic, but reflectors were needed continuously at the side to ensure adequate natural illumination on the face and to showcase the sheer texture of the socks.
For Misaki cosplay (corresponding to Photo 3), the focus shifted to an indoor studio shoot, aiming to highlight her composure and elegance. The standout feature is this backless black qipao (cheongsam), boasting extensive cutout details at the lower back, golden diamond lattices along the sides, and subtle light-blue accents tucked into the collar and cuffs. Paired with black gloves and black high heels, sitting on a vintage navy blue leather sofa with a prop rifle resting beside me set the mood. The close-up glance-back pose tested both back posture and the calm nonchalance in my eyes. The butterfly hair accessory and bun details had to be precisely aligned, so I adjusted the hairpiece multiple times to ensure it showed clearly on camera.
Seeing comments and fellow fans showing immense love for the Shanhaijing trio, I resonate deeply as a cosplayer. Having successfully brought Sunohara Shun cosplay and Misaki cosplay to life was pure joy, but I know it won't be truly complete without the final member. Preparing Sunohara Kokona cosplay before next Children's Day means getting the ponytail wig with cat ears ready in advance, along with her signature modified school-uniform qipao and delicate accessories. The tailor is already sourcing fabrics, focusing even more on petite proportions; black and white will remain dominant, but with richer decorative details.
When handling Misaki's prop rifle, hand placement needed care to avoid looking stiff. Because the qipao slit is quite high, seated poses demanded caution against wardrobe malfunctions while avoiding looking overly cramped. Although the heels were high, adding soft cushion pads inside the insoles beforehand kept standing fatigue at bay.
This photo set documents my interpretation of these Shanhaijing characters from Blue Archive. From lighting and locations to pose guidance and color grading, everything was aligned as closely as possible to the core essence of the original characters. Seizing this Children's Day occasion, I'm delighted to organize and share this complete cosplay project.