Slipping into this blue-and-white Cheerleader uniform, lacing up white platform sneakers, putting on the goggles and fluffy animal ears, and adding the halo effect overhead instantly brought out Nekozuka Hibiki's energetic yet crisp, spirited presence.
For this shoot, we experimented with various poses; crouching and holding yellow cheerleader pom-poms were both ideal for showcasing the vibrant energy of this Sporty style cosplay. When arranging props, balancing the positioning of the pom-poms with the harmony of the animal ears and goggles was crucial. To emphasize the character's athletic nature, I deliberately chose bare legs paired with white socks and platform sneakers without stockings, creating a crisper, more capable look that fits a track-and-field cheerleader setting. The cropped midriff design of this outfit beautifully accentuates body lines when turning or posing sideways, which is why I chose the over-the-shoulder look holding the pom-poms in Photo 2 as the cover—balancing composition without feeling overly forced.
During post-processing, beyond adding the iconic yellow halo overhead, I also contemplated how to give the imagery richer texture. For instance, the chest specular highlight in Photo 4 was not excessive skin-blurring, but rather an intentional homage to Blue Archive's signature anime lighting, making the overall palette brighter with vibrant 2D translucency. Since excessive highlights can wash out details, adjustments were tailored across different camera angles. While posing, adjusting the airy bangs of the wig and adding yellow star stickers on my cheeks made expressions look more playful, aiming to convey Nekozuka Hibiki's youthful adolescence and cheer.
Overall, the pre-shoot preparation and post-production workflow went very smoothly. Regarding props, combining the blue goggles with the animal-eared wig was key; special thanks to the wig-styling efforts, which kept the slightly wavy hair voluminous during movement and turns. This kind of sporty 2D Animal ears cosplay offers plenty of creative freedom for posing—without requiring complicated sets, even a clean white wall backdrop makes the costume's color contrast pop brilliantly. This photo set preserved the authentic texture of the raw captures with subtle warm-cold lighting balance, delivering full atmosphere to bring the most energetic image in everyone's minds to life.