This summer was so hot that all I wanted was to soak in the water, so I went straight to Chimelong Water Park wearing this Goddess of Victory: Nikke water park-style outfit. Shooting in the shallow pool area under the bright sun, the moment water splashed over me felt truly refreshing.
The main color palette of this look consists of white and light blue. The wig and ear accessories paired with a sheer sun-protection jacket, dark bikini underneath, white gloves, and blue-and-white striped details fit the water park atmosphere perfectly. Considering everything would get soaked in water, the sun-protection jacket was made of a lightweight and breathable fabric. Before shooting, I worried about managing the wig after getting wet, but in practice, gentle waves in the shallow area didn't mess up my hair too much.
Beyond the wig and accessories, this white translucent sun-protection jacket was the core of the entire look. While semi-transparent when dry, once wet from water play, the fabric lightly clung to the skin, highlighting the silhouette of the inner bikini for a cleaner, more natural feel. To achieve the best effect on camera, I specifically chose waterproof choker accessories, while the white gloves were made of a thin elastic fabric that remained flexible even when soaked, making it easy to pose while holding a water gun or leaning on a swim ring.
During the shoot, a large blue swim ring and a colorful water gun served as props. The swim ring was a great visual addition that enhanced color contrast in the frame, while leaning on it made it easy to showcase body contours and leg lines. To capture a natural state, I repeatedly adjusted poses in the water—balancing on one leg or kneeling in shallow water while leaning slightly backward—testing how to keep the wet look aesthetically pleasing and fresh on camera.
Regarding using the swim ring, when shooting in a kneeling pose, holding the edges with both hands while leaning slightly forward allowed water reflections to create ideal highlight spots on the surface, brightening facial contours. In full-body standing shots, bending one leg slightly broke symmetrical stiffness, giving the composition a breathing feel. The water gun shot abandoned static props for spontaneous actions, such as lightly pressing the trigger or raising the camera perspective, bringing the atmosphere closer to the relaxed joy of summer play.
The most amusing moment was when a passerby gamer excitedly ran over mid-shoot to ask if I was cosplaying a blue-haired character from Cross Core. I froze for a second before smiling and explaining that it was actually Helen from Goddess of Victory: Nikke. Given the sci-fi settings of both IPs, along with similar blue hair and cat ears, it was easy to see why someone might make that connection under bright sunlight. This kind of mistaken identity happens often at conventions or themed events, adding a lighthearted interlude to the day.
Chimelong Water Park's scenery itself is brightly colored, with red and blue water slides forming a softly blurred background that enhanced the festive summer vibe. Photographer @Alma玛 handled lighting masterfully; gentle reflections off the water eliminated harsh shadows, while preserving the translucent texture of the sun-protection jacket under sunlight.
Coming to Chimelong this time wasn't just for a photoshoot—I also wanted to relax and play in the water. Unlike traditional heavy cosplay outfits, this style leaned toward refreshing summer wear, making it widely acceptable and easy to move around in. Plus, Chimelong Water Park is very welcoming toward anime-themed events, and seeing various cosplayers in the park added plenty of fun interactions for visitors.
Playing and shooting all day under direct sunlight was admittedly tiring. Yet participating in such a unique anime water party surrounded by fellow fans in character outfits made the environment incredibly joyful. As a friendly reminder, when doing a Summer water play cosplay shoot at a water park, stay hydrated and protect your skin from sun exposure; long exposure to chlorinated water can also affect hair quality, so I rinsed off immediately after shooting.
This water play shoot at Chimelong was a delightful experience. Beyond capturing vivid images for this Anime photography sharing post, it left me with wonderful cool summer memories.