[Raiden Ei cosplay] Inazuma's Cherry Blossoms and Eternal Blessings

Taking advantage of the Raiden Shogun's birthday, I brought out this outfit to shoot a new set of photos. Actually, I have cosplayed in this costume several times already, but every time I put it on, it still brings a different feeling. This time, the shoot was set under the blooming cherry blossom trees. Sunlight filtered through the flower branches, and the light and shadow fell perfectly on the patterns of the shoulder armor and hemline. The resulting texture turned out to be much softer than expected.

I put a lot of thought into recreating this look. The wig is a custom-made gradient blue-black, and the curves of the bangs and sideburns were adjusted many times to achieve a natural drape. The red knots at the chest and collar, as well as the brocade belt around the waist, are all hand-sewn details. The shoulder armor was crafted combining EVA foam and resin, with the surface treated for a weathered metallic and blue enamel-like painted texture. Although it is a bit heavy, I had to power through it for the sake of the character's majestic presence.

We actually encountered a little episode during the shoot. The wind was a bit strong that day, and the cherry blossoms kept drifting down. At first, I was worried it would ruin the frames, but it ended up adding a sense of dynamic beauty to the photos. The photographer's composition was excellent; instead of intentionally posing in a combative stance, they chose a perspective where I turned slightly to the side with my gaze looking straight ahead. This preserved the Shogun's composure while bringing out a touch of Raiden Ei's private softness.

Speaking of the character herself, the contrast between the two identities—the Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei—has always fascinated me. The concept of eternity, along with the stories that unfolded in Inazuma, brings a new understanding every time I interpret them. For this re-shoot, I also tried to add more layers into my gaze; rather than pure majesty, it carries a hint of nostalgia for the past and expectation for the future.

Maintaining the costume is also quite a science. Light-colored fabrics easily get dirty, so I specially re-ironed the pleats of the outer robe before the shoot. The gold thread embroidery and the tassels along the edges reflect a very beautiful sheen under the sunlight. Almost no excessive editing was done in post-processing, preserving much of the raw photo's texture. I think the most interesting part of cosplay photography is bringing 2D elements into reality through physical objects, light, and shadow.

Regarding the journey to Snezhnaya, although that's a storyline in Genshin Impact, as a cosplayer, I also hope to experience and grow just like the character in every shoot. Even though this might be considered 'reheating old food' (revisiting an old cosplay), the details and emotions in every photo are actually true reflections of that exact moment. I hope everyone can see the little thoughts put into this look, and I wish the Raiden Shogun a happy birthday. The lightning of Inazuma will shine forever.