[Kumiko Omae Cosplay] Sound! Euphonium by the Uji River

I completed this shoot for Kumiko by the Uji River and Uji Bridge. Since the setting of Sound! Euphonium is right in Uji, being able to stand directly by this river and in the water to shoot felt like breaking the fourth wall between the 2D world and reality.

To restore the character, the reddish-brown wig was specially trimmed to be slightly fluffy and wavy, making it closer to her daily look. The outfit is the classic white top and blue skirt with a pink sailor scarf. This blue and white color scheme sailor suit looks incredibly refreshing against the backdrop of the river and green trees.

When shooting, I stepped barefoot on the rocks of the riverbank. It felt a bit sharp at first, but to find the feeling of casually walking by the water like Kumiko, I insisted on walking barefoot a few times. The water temperature and the texture of the stones were very real. When the sun was good, the water surface sparkled, and the sunset hitting the hair created a great atmosphere. The night shots on the Uji Bridge used a slow shutter speed because I wanted to capture a blurred motion effect, fitting the daily routine of the character often returning home late from club activities.

This time, I tried shooting some static poses and dynamic candid shots, such as crouching by the river to wash hands, looking into the distance while standing on a rock, and finally an upward angle leaning against a park bench by the riverbank. No excessive props were added; we relied entirely on the costume, makeup, and the scene itself to convey that bright, positive yet slightly troubled youth atmosphere in Sound! Euphonium. The characters in this work all have a passion for practicing hard for music. Standing by the Uji River, I felt as if I could also experience that persistence of wanting to perform better. Although there were various adjustments in movements, such as the placement of fingers and the angle of toes, I still hoped to present a natural and unforced state.

The combination with the Uji Bridge background is very special. There is a torrential current beneath the bridge, and after the lights turn on at night, the intersecting light brings a color palette of warm and cool contrasts to the photos. This scene is also where many of Kumiko's important plotlines take place. I tried my best to blend the ambient light into the character's emotions, making the final piece look less like a simple flat record and more like a moment of aimless wandering after school.

I did my best to restore the character through costume, makeup, and movements, and I hope this set of photos can help everyone find that sense of summer belonging to Kumiko.