Bringing this witch-themed derivative concept of Ganyu to life took around half a month from conception to the final shoot. While Ganyu in Genshin Impact is originally an illuminated beast half-adeptus, merging her with the Walpurgisnacht theme led to numerous stylistic reimaginations in the costume design.
The headwear is the crown jewel of the styling. On that wide-brimmed black witch hat, I incorporated pink braided cords, green chalcedony beads, and gold tassels as embellishments. To fit the witch concept, black horn-shaped ornaments were added with red and gold tassels lining the inner sides, creating dynamic fluidity whenever I turned my head or caught a breeze. The gold bowknot and teardrop yellow gem pendant on the chest preserved iconic motifs from Ganyu's canon attire. For the shoulders and arms, white ruffled frills and semi-sheer tulle were used to form a crisp contrast against the dark main fabric.
For the wig, I selected a vibrant lake-blue shade styled with loose waves, tapering neatly toward the tips. Regarding makeup, to evoke the cool aloofness of a witch, I opted for purple contact lenses. The eye makeup elongated the outer corners with a broader eyeshadow blend, paired with dark lashes to give her gaze an enigmatic detachment. The base makeup emphasized a porcelain matte finish, while the lips wore a rose-toned lip glaze with softly blurred edges to soften harsh lines.
We deliberately scheduled a night shoot against a pitch-black setting, concentrating key lights primarily across my face and upper body to let the blue hair and fair skin pop out from the deep shadows. The first shot is a close-up highlighting facial nuance and chest adornments. For the second shot, the photographer explored a tilted high-angle perspective where I lightly touched the hat brim wearing black opera gloves; a warm orange flare caught the corner of the frame, establishing an atmospheric warm-and-cool contrast against the icy blue hair that instantly elevated the mood.
Shooting outdoors in the dark wearing this ensemble was genuinely challenging—the oversized hat and lengthy wig easily snagged against back ornaments with the slightest movement, requiring constant readjustments. Yet this precise care allowed us to capture a refined presence before the lens. This witch-themed spin successfully married Ganyu's inherent elegance with my interpretation of dark magic. Every cosplay endeavor is an effort to give three-dimensional life to a 2D character—from fabric selection and accessory polishing to the final presence before the camera. Tedious as it is, seeing the finished photos makes every bit of effort worthwhile. Cosplay is never just about wearing a costume, but immersing oneself in the character's mindset within that specific realm. I hope this Witch Ganyu brings a fresh visual experience to everyone.