[Flandre Scarlet Cosplay] The Second Daughter of Scarlet Devil Mansion from Touhou Project

Today's set of photos was taken live at a local large-scale anime convention, where I chose to cosplay Flandre Scarlet, an immensely popular character from Touhou Project. The essence of this character's look lies in her gorgeous style that weaves gothic aesthetics with fairytale charm. The red-and-white dress, cascading layers of white lace ruffles, and the fluffy mob cap filled with youthful sweetness are all iconic elements of her design. While preparing this outfit, I spent considerable time adjusting the tie details and the puffiness of the skirt, striving to achieve the airy lightness seen in her original illustrations.

The highlight of this shoot was the glowing prop in my hands. The frame hanging with colorful diamond crystals is the very soul of this cosplay. I handcrafted it using acrylic and LED light strips, applying a clear sealing layer on the outside so that even under the venue's bright lighting, it refracts brilliant red, yellow, blue, and green light. During the shoot, I subtly adjusted the prop's angle to let the colorful crystal light cast onto my skirt and arms, creating a truly dreamy effect.

To better match the character setting, I deliberately emphasized my eye makeup with red contact lenses and a touch of blush beneath the eyes, showcasing a unique temperament that blends playfulness with a hint of danger. For the hair, I styled the blonde wig into her signature large curly pigtails and carefully adjusted the bangs' curve to frame my face without blocking my vision. Securing the mob cap also required numerous bobby pins to keep it from deforming in crowded convention halls.

This photo was taken next to a pillar in the convention hall, set against a background of dense circular ceiling lights. Since the venue was vast, the photographer skillfully used a wide-aperture lens to blur these bright overhead lights into beautiful bokeh spots, creating strong spatial depth that separated the subject smoothly from the backdrop. As for posing, I raised both hands to simulate a spellcasting gesture with fingers slightly open, which, combined with the glow from the prop, felt like stepping into this fantasy world instantly.

I met many fellow fans at the anime convention. Many passersby were drawn by the glowing prop and stopped to ask what materials were used. Seeing a 2D character so concretely brought to life in the 3D world gave me a profound sense of achievement. Seeing the finished convention photos, I realized how exceptional the sheer fabric texture looked under the flash, while the red contact lenses paired with a deep expression delivered a powerful visual impact.

Cosplaying is always a process of painful joy. From wig trimming and costume stitching to prop assembly, every step demands immense patience. Especially when shooting indoor Anime-style photography with such deep spatial focus, capturing light is demanding; we adjusted several positions back and forth until finding an angle where ceiling lights sat right above my head like a halo. Removing makeup after the shoot was a lengthy process, but looking at a camera full of great photos made all the hassle melt away.

For this Flandre Scarlet Cosplay, rather than a mere recreation, it felt like using my own vision to interpret and re-render her charming sides. That contrast—possessing both little-girl innocence and hidden dangerous power—is what attracts me most. I hope these photos convey the unique Gensokyo atmosphere of Touhou Project, allowing everyone to see a projection of this character in the real world. Whether in the skirt folds or crystal glow, I poured my heart into achieving the ideal output. Although a day at an anime convention is brief, the memories remain vivid, and this love for the character is the greatest motivation to keep Touhou cosplay going.