[Nico cosplay] Studio Shoot Record of the Hares Leader

Doing the styling shoot for Nico at the Zenless Zone Zero Fes site, picking up this huge mechanical device prop and stepping in front of the lens instantly brought out the vibe of the Hares leader. To recreate Nico's edgy yet cool temperament, this pose holding the prop required balancing strength and stability while projecting effortless poise before the camera.

I put a lot of work into the styling details. The short black off-the-shoulder leather jacket paired with a white inner layer, featuring the red-backed triangular geometric emblem on the left chest as the soul element, instantly nailed the core character vibe. The black-and-white plaid miniskirt on the lower body is another iconic piece, coordinating with the metal-grommet and buckled black leather belt at the waist to perfectly match the overall punk street style. The heart-shaped patch and red emblem on the skirt added a playful touch to the tough aesthetic.

The leg design is one of the key highlights of this styling showcase. The left over-the-knee black long sock paired with a leg ring elongated the overall visual proportions, while stepping into black chunky-heeled lace-up Martin boots gave the silhouette a more upright, commanding presence. The boot straps intentionally retained a dangling slack, adding a casual, street-style touch as if Nico were naturally strolling through Sixth Street.

Regarding props, the black rectangular device held in my right hand features heavy-duty geometric textures and panel details on the surface, offering a genuinely substantial heft in hand. The bright green rabbit plushie hanging at the waist serves as the ultimate finishing touch; its playful, pinkish-cute appearance forms a striking color contrast against the all-black outfit, enriching the layering immediately while breaking any potential dullness of a fully black ensemble.

Special thanks to photographer @Hongbai for collaborating with me on-site to complete this studio-style output. We repeatedly adjusted angles during the shoot to capture that dynamic instant. Nico's own pose design possesses extreme tension—standing on one leg for balance with weight anchored firmly on the right leg, left hand hanging naturally, and right hand holding the equipment high, presenting an explosive, ready-for-action look as if booting up a powerful Ethereal program.

Maintaining this posture is no small feat, requiring tight core engagement to steady the center of gravity, but seeing the powerful body curves in the final frames made all the effort deeply worthwhile. The fan-packed, lively atmosphere at Zenless Zone Zero Fes also provided plenty of confidence; as a high-popularity character, cementing a meticulously prepared image on such a professional stage is an immense affirmation.

When preparing the recreation for Nico, I obsessed not only over the costume details but also adjusted my makeup to match the pink color tones of the wig, striving to capture the character's demeanor to the maximum extent. The pink long hair paired with black cat-ear hair accessories stood out exceptionally well against the clean, pure white background. Completing such complex character shaping always reminds me of the contrast charm where the character appears flashy and unrestrained on the outside but holds deeply loyal bonds within—that is precisely what makes roleplaying so addicting.

Although the shooting day drained quite a bit of physical energy shooting single-leg stances set after set, when witnessing the stark visual contrast between the black short jacket, mainframe props, and over-the-knee socks against the clean white backdrop, that cyber-urban street vibe was crystal clear. Light hitting the carved textures of the prop formed gorgeous highlight reflections with extremely rich layering.

I relish this process of bringing 2D images into a 3D space, infusing static visuals with true vitality and storytelling. The streets of New Horizons are always full of adventures, and being able to transform into Nico and approach commissions this time has been a rare and unforgettable experience. I hope that upon seeing this photo set, you too can feel that unique street energy of Zenless Zone Zero and the dashing spirit of the Hares.