As an invited guest at the Jiyue Comic Convention, the character I chose this time was Anby from Zenless Zone Zero. The very first thing upon arriving at the venue was putting on this black-and-green tactical outfit. The tailoring is remarkably sharp and sleek—the cropped vest paired with techwear sleeves showcases the character's capable look without feeling overly restrictive when walking around.
The black pleated skirt on the lower body, styled into a black tights outfit with single-sided strapped over-the-knee socks, is one of the key visual highlights. In particular, the patterned sock on the left leg introduces subtle variation into the overall design. A pair of chunky high-top platform shoes wraps up the silhouette, not only elongating the leg lines but also offering great support for long hours of standing and walking at the convention. The headpiece—the silver-gray short hair with blunt bangs—paired with the over-ear headset device, instantly brought the character's temperament to life.
Holding the green, white, and gray color-blocked prop gun while standing on stage felt quite surreal. Since Anby's character design portrays a somewhat clueless warrior, I was doing my best on stage to channel that "clear-eyed bewilderment." The photographer captured this shot from a distance; though taken from afar, the frame was steady, and using the stage screen behind me as a backdrop highlighted the subject while cutting out background clutter.
Looking back on this convention day, from makeup in the morning, I was constantly battling the venue fans and air conditioners. The fabric is breathable, though the seams under the arms and at the waist pinched slightly to maintain a snug fit during movement. However, the moment you see the enthusiastic interactions from the audience, or fellow fans bringing handmade props for a photo, all that fatigue vanishes. When interacting with the host with a mic on stage, I was pondering how to align my body language with her personality—after all, Anby isn't an extroverted type; her lines and actions always carry a sincere yet slightly airheaded charm.
For this guest appearance, I practiced gun-holding poses many times beforehand. The prop gun has noticeable weight, and holding it single-handedly for long stretches makes the wrist ache. But to deliver the best performance on stage, these practice runs were essential. Standing under the spotlight with everyone's eyes focused on you, every bit of previous prep feels worthwhile.
Many people might worry about visual symmetry, but for Anby, asymmetry is actually a bonus: asymmetrical socks and arm guards are trendy and full of dynamic flair when walking. The atmosphere at the Jiyue Comic Convention was buzzing. Walking through the aisles and seeing everyone raise their phones or cameras, that joy of being recognized is the core motivation driving casual cosplay forward.
After this convention, I also summarized some outfit tips. For garments with techwear and cyberpunk elements, fabric selection is crucial: stiff fabrics hold the character's structural silhouette, while stretchy materials ensure joint flexibility. To me, cosplay is not just recreating a character, but holding a dialogue with their inner spirit. Dressed as Anby for those hours, I briefly saw this bustling convention through her eyes and experienced the daily life of a new-gen icon. Looking back at this stage shot, though taken from afar, the black-and-green palette catches the eye under any lighting. I look forward to meeting everyone in even better shape at the next convention!