Handing the tanghulu toward the lens, that saved convention photo snapped at the Wuhan CGF anime convention still carries a strong sense of scene when looking back at it now. This time I cosplayed Hu Tao from Genshin Impact, matching the lively and lighthearted vibe of Lantern Rite, specifically adjusting my makeup focus to enhance those vibrant red pupils. The white sailor hat pressed down over those red sunglasses on top of my head indeed added a touch of convention-exclusive casualness. The front bodice button ornaments, black-red-white bow tie, and side tassels wouldn't look too heavy when moving around, but because of the wide skirt hem and long twintails, walking around the hall actually tested my balance quite a bit. Coupled with Black stockings cosplay accents, the overall silhouette remained sleek and striking.
The atmosphere at this year's CGF anime convention in Wuhan was fantastic, and the lighting turned out much more suitable for capturing dynamic motion than expected. In the first photo, reaching forward with the red beaded prop toward the lens was meant to simulate a playful interactive feel, even intentionally making the pose slightly exaggerated. The capture action in the second photo was even more unleashed, letting out Hu Tao's quirky, mischievous energy. Though physically demanding, the resulting output was indeed much more vivid than static posing.
To faithfully recreate the character's eye makeup and eyelash details, it took nearly two hours from base makeup to completion. Putting on the red-framed contacts completely transformed my expression and aura. In terms of costume fabric choice, the white patterned material offered great texture, reflecting light softly under various hall lighting sources. The stitching details and decorations on the outfit all restored features from the game; aside from the red sunglasses added as my own convention prop, other accessories underwent practical optimizations based on the original design. The wig offered plentiful volume, especially the dual buns on the sides and long hair in back, maintaining a great silhouette during shooting. It must be said that the happiest moment of doing cosplay is holding matching props and striking exaggerated expressions or moves toward the camera, creating an interactive connection across the screen with viewers.
During the shoot, I ran into many cosplayers also dressed as Genshin Impact characters; whenever we bumped into each other and chatted in the break area, we always helped each other with fixing wigs and costumes. When touching up makeup during breaks, I could feel the rich cultural vibe on site, with everyone passionately immersing themselves in their favorite characters. For me personally, attending the CGF anime convention isn't just about taking photos, but more about experiencing that expressive freedom in front of the lens and immersing myself fully as the character.
Under the booth area lighting, the fabric textures and metallic buckle details on this costume showed immense texture, while dimmer lighting brought it closer to the true scene atmosphere. Deciding to cosplay Hu Tao involved stitching many small details beforehand to present a complete look in the final convention photos. The spacious Wuhan Comic Convention hall provided plenty of room for bold, dynamic poses without feeling cramped. What makes candid convention photos more vibrant than studio shoots is that blurred background lights and crowds complete the character's world; even if I'm the only one in the shot, that immersive atmosphere is brought out genuinely.
The experience at Wuhan CGF anime convention was thoroughly fulfilling as always. Walking around the venue all day with heavy hair and a hat made me sweat and feel a bit stuffy, but seeing the final photos capture those natural expressions made all the tedious preparations and styling feel completely worth it. Indoor hall lights heavily test contact lens color payoff; luckily, the red-framed style I chose performed wonderfully, maintaining a clear, bright red under overhead lights of different color temperatures. Resting the red sunglasses on the brim also helped frame my face nicely.
Genshin Impact's Hu Tao inherently possesses many personality details to play with—when doing cosplay, there's no need to stay rigid; just communicate directly with the lens using quirky expressions. These two photos captured different sides of her personality: one interacting with a prop, and another reaching out with a playful, provocative air. This natural release of emotion perfectly embodies the confidence and fun brought by the character. All in all, this appearance at the CGF anime convention in Wuhan was a very fulfilling experience, transmitting Hu Tao's vivacity and candid spirit through these two photos, serving as a comprehensive Hu Tao cosplay attempt in my recent journey.