The CP32 convention photoshoot teaser is finally here! I'm sharing two completely different styles corresponding to Misa Amane and Dress Kayoko.
The first picture features the look of Misa Amane cosplay from Death Note. To precisely capture her Gothic and slightly rebellious visual traits, I specifically chose an all-black glossy patent leather dress. The greatest advantage of this material is that it presents an intense reflective effect under studio spotlights, instantly maxing out the dark aesthetic. Twin tails pair with straight bangs, and the neck is embellished with a black leather choker and a slender chain, enriching the layering of the entire head and neck area. The wand and black notebook held in hand are the soul of this look. Raising the wand while single-kneeling beautifully conveys the emotional tension of the character. The shoot heavily tested my core strength; since the patent leather dress is quite smooth, balancing a kneeling posture while controlling my expression and gaze definitely required some time to master.
The second image is the Dress Kayoko cosplay from Blue Archive. This character has an incredibly strong sense of design. I wore a black-and-white color-blocked long straight wig paired with black beast ears decorated with red accents, which instantly grabs your attention. For the outfit, I matched a beige loose knit cardigan over a black slip dress. The high slit design at the skirt hem adds a breathable feel, preventing the overall look from seeming too heavy. The black lace-up Mary Janes on my feet also add to the look's detailed texture. Holding that mechanical prop gun spliced with white, black, and red colors, paired with a natural standing posture and the gentle outdoor wind blowing my hair strands, gave the entire frame a dynamic flow. This kind of style mash-up looks exceptionally good in convention photos.
The choice of shooting venues for CP32 this time was very diverse. The first image was completed in a relatively compact indoor studio where you can see light stands and camera bags in the background. While it looks a bit messy, it actually highlights the authenticity of a live shoot. The second image was shot in a spacious outdoor area around the exhibition hall. The yellow and white safety markings on the ground naturally carry an industrial style, perfectly matching the character's tactical elements. The convention environment is truly amazing; not only can you find ready-made backdrops everywhere, but you can also quickly exchange ideas with the photographers on-site, vastly improving shooting efficiency.
Speaking of the preparation process, these two looks actually took a long time to prepare. Misa Amane's glossy patent leather dress is highly delicate; putting it on and storing it requires extreme care, as it can easily develop creases or scratches if one isn't careful. Meanwhile, Dress Kayoko's beast-ear headwear needed double-fixation using bobby pins and hairspray to prevent it from shifting out of place in the strong outdoor wind. Once fully equipped, collaborating with the photographer on set to smooth out the poses was also quite funâfor instance, the angle of the wand and the gripping gesture of the weapon all required repeated adjustments to achieve the best visual effect.
This CP32 photoshoot teaser only releases two pictures first to tease your eyes, but in fact, the full set still has quite a few photos that need post-production fine retouching. I was already highly satisfied when looking at the raw previews on set. Whether it's the dark gothic Misa Amane or the exceptionally fashionable Dress Kayoko, both presented an excellent state under the photographer's lens. The joy of a convention lies in being able to showcase the characters you love to everyone using the most authentic props and costumes.