This shoot finally brings out the classic styling of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit. Ever since I saw the original art design, I've wanted to try this attire that is full of traditional Chinese charm while carrying a fantastical touch.
Let's talk about the preparation work for the costumes first. Rainbow Cat's outfit is mainly white and orange, complemented by gold embroidery and dark patterns. To present a crisp silhouette in front of the lens, the inner wear and outer robe combined have several layers. Although the temperature wasn't low on the shooting day, seeing the final photos made it completely worth it. Blue Rabbit's skirt features a blue-white-cyan gradient with a high-slit design on the hem. Considering the need to step, squat, and swing a sword during the shoot, this cut not only facilitates movement but also nicely showcases the leg lines. The plush ears on both of them are custom-made, and their positions were repeatedly adjusted to ensure they wouldn't look awkward from any angle.
The glowing swords are the highlight of the props this time. For Rainbow Cat's red sword and Blue Rabbit's blue sword, to make the lighting even and long-lasting, we tucked light strips inside the blades and hid the wiring. Although these swords get a bit heavy after holding them for a long time, swinging them in a low-light environment maximizes that sharp edge of Jianghu swordsmen. For the wigs, Rainbow Cat's orange short hair needed a fluffy, layered effect, while Blue Rabbit's blue long hair needed to be smooth and voluminous. Paired with the custom beast ears, the overall completion of the styling is very high.
In terms of makeup, we specifically emphasized the eye delineation. Rainbow Cat's eye makeup leans towards an orange tone, highlighting a sunny and resolute feel, while Blue Rabbit's eye makeup adds blue accents, focusing on a gentle and lively side. To fit the theme of 'You and I are each other's support', when shooting the duo interactions, we didn't design overly flamboyant movements; instead, we chose to stand on the steps of ancient architecture, conveying that tacit understanding through eye contact.
The background was chosen outdoors with yellow walls, grey tiles, and stone carved railings. Sunlight filtered through the leaves onto the steps, creating mottled light and shadow. In the first picture, we tried a close-up gaze, a composition that captures the bond between the two very well; the second picture features a side-by-side standing posture, showcasing the overall styling and props. The biggest difficulty during the shoot was both of us swinging the swords simultaneously while maintaining the angle of the glowing swords, requiring repeated adjustments of positions to avoid glare overexposure. Fortunately, the partnering cosplayer has great tacit understanding. Although the process was tiring, it was extremely satisfying. This kind of duo-themed creation tests not only the individual accuracy of costumes and props, but also the chemistry between the two in front of the lens. I hope this set of photos brings everyone a bit of the chivalrous romance and heroism of Jianghu heroes.