[Zenless Zone Zero Cosplay] Pressing the Shutter for a Keepsake on the Last Day Before Leaving the Scene

Honestly, on this very last day of the year, I dedicated it to this Zenless Zone Zero Cosplay look.

Standing in this slightly cluttered photography studio environment, the red-and-white traffic cone and tripod in the background unexpectedly give off a great street vibe. To match the character's temperament, I specifically chose blue-green lenses as part of my blue-eyed makeup and styling, paired with a textured black short wig and a vivid red streak on the side, hoping to capture that casual yet sharp essence. The most uncomfortable part of the whole outfit was definitely this black leather glove on my left hand; the silver square metal clasp at the wrist was so tight that adjusting it took forever. But once put on, it truly enhanced the solid edge of the overall look, echoing the black sleeveless top perfectly.

Thinking back, the fading passion for 2D and casual cosplay didn't happen overnight. Behind every satisfying cosplay lies an enormous amount of preparation—from contacting makeup artists and styling wigs, to prepping props and accessories, to heading out in scorching heat or freezing cold. The physical fatigue long surpassed the psychological fulfillment. In the past, I might have spent hours in front of the lens adjusting a single gaze or gesture chasing so-called perfection, but now I feel that capturing such a simple yet authentic moment in a relaxed backstage setting is more than enough.

Many say people cosplay to escape reality or seek attention. But towards the end, my realization has been the exact opposite: it actually requires tremendous real-world support—money, energy, time, and a bit of courage for aesthetics and self-reflection. When you stand before the mirror looking at your styled self, that subtle sense of detachment makes you reflect on a lot. This time, I didn't want to set any strict rules about making every detail flawless; letting go of the obsession with perfection actually made shooting far more comfortable.

Once today wraps up, this year is truly over. This hobby occupied a huge part of my life, but life ultimately needs to return to its course. For a long time ahead, I probably won't be cosplaying any new characters. I won't make absolute statements like "never again," because after all, I've poured my heart into it, but at this stage, I genuinely need to pause and shift my focus back to real life. We'll cross next year's bridges when we come to them; at least right now, I choose to press the shutter in this photography studio to leave a keepsake for myself during this chapter.

In the photo, my gaze is empty and relaxed, devoid of the tension of forced poses or any artificial attempt to please the camera. This spontaneous, slightly weary yet serene state is perhaps the exact image I want to preserve. This Zenless Zone Zero Cosplay look is a closing chapter of a piece of my youth, and a comma leading into my new life ahead.