[Ye Shunguang Cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero's Fox-Tailed Swordswoman: Between Light and Shadow

For this Ye Shunguang Cosplay shoot, we combined traditional real-scene sets with high-key atmospheric lighting, emphasizing the character's agile grace and the weighty presence of the weapon. During preparation, crafting the greatsword prop required the most effort; to achieve a realistic metallic texture and diamond pattern, it was sanded and spray-painted across several coats. It had a solid weight in hand, demanding considerable arm strength for swinging poses, but the visual tension in the final shots made every bit of effort worthwhile. Outfit-wise, the main white dress paired with a black-and-yellow frog button design on the chest, along with separate white sleeves and metal arm rings, maintained a crisp visual feel. Meanwhile, high side slits on the skirt and red flame tattoo stickers on the leg infused sharp, dynamic lines into the look.

The hairstyle featured two red ribbons and beaded hair ornaments paired with long, natural brown wavy hair, looking soft and natural under real-scene lighting. We chose a Chinese-style wooden interior set adorned with dark carved tatami, lattice windows, ceramic vases, and red plum blossom accents, creating a rich storytelling atmosphere. Lighting was designed with warm-toned side backlighting to carve out facial contours while casting a gentle rim light along the edges of the white dress. While we took dynamic sword-swinging and scroll-holding reclining poses during the shoot, reviewing the raw shots revealed that static seated poses with props conveyed the character's calm composure even better. Especially when seated with the greatsword standing upright beside me and legs naturally bent, the red leg tattoos echoed visually with the black-and-red heels, providing a grounded visual balance.

We also explored diverse facial expressions across the set—such as the close-up in photo four where a focused gaze conveyed a hint of fierce intensity, which then softened in photo five while holding the scroll. Recreating a character goes beyond accurate costumes and wigs; it's about infusing both relaxed everyday moments and combat-ready tension. To simulate authentic sword wielding, I adjusted hand angles repeatedly to tilt the blade against my body's central axis, creating stronger dynamic energy. As for the large tail, to avoid cluttering the outfit's silhouette, we adjusted its angle so it draped naturally behind or beside me without overpowering the visual focus.

Lotus props on the floor and plum blossom props in the foreground allowed us to experiment with high-angle and low-angle shots. Photo one uses a slightly high angle while seated to capture both lattice windows and the scroll, while photo two employs an eye-level standing shot to showcase the full silhouette and tail. Post-processing retained warm ambient tones without oversaturating colors, preserving wood texture details for a realistic and lasting visual quality. Shooting with large weapons and animal tail styling always tests physical coordination—balancing an elegant posture without letting the greatsword look clumsy requires repeated weight-shift practice. Fortunately, practicing sword poses in front of a mirror before the shoot helped me find the right rhythm quickly.

Overall, this photoshoot preserved the character's cool yet nimble aura while building a strong narrative through set design and lighting. Though the process was intense, seeing those moments where light and shadow converge alongside warm reflections on the greatsword made every preparation feel deeply rewarding.