The convention photos from the Chengdu Anime Convention are finally out! This time I cosplayed Rem from Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, trying out a brand-new pure white dress styling paired with blue-and-white gradient plush cat ears and a fluffy large tail. To complement the nighttime atmosphere, we specifically looked for an outdoor terrace with city nightlights as our backdrop.
The makeup emphasized cool tones. Because the wig was bright blue, the eyeshadow and blush were chosen in lower saturation palettes, paired with blue colored contact lenses to give the overall impression an ethereal, aloof coolness. The wig had its wispy bangs trimmed and was accented with cross-shaped hairpins. The costume details were remarkably rich: diamond-shaped mesh cutouts on the chest, a heart-shaped metallic buckle at the waist, multi-tiered lace skirts, and semi-sheer detachable sleeves—all displaying exquisite texture under the nighttime flash. The lower half was paired with white over-the-knee socks (White stockings) featuring lace garters and small plush balls on the thighs, worn with clear platform ultra-high-heel sandals. While the heels looked stunning on camera, walking around the convention in them was certainly a test of endurance.
Nighttime photography requires meticulous harmony between light and shadow. The photographer used strong frontal fill light while underexposing the background city lights to form beautiful bokeh, giving the plush props incredible texture under the contrast of cool and warm light sources. I prepared two prop concepts: one hugging a blue-and-white X-eyed plush doll, and the other holding a white-and-blue rose bouquet. The doll captured the character's playful charm, while the bouquet brought out an air of elegance. For poses, I tried side profiles, looking back over the shoulder, and lifting one leg to let the skirt hem and tail unfurl naturally while highlighting leg lines.
We also ran into a few small challenges during the shoot. The outdoor night breeze was strong, constantly blowing the fluffy tail and bangs out of place, requiring constant grooming before each take. Furthermore, a white dress easily blows out at night, necessitating continual adjustments to the flash output power. To highlight the plush texture of the toys, we tested various fill-light angles. The lace trimmings are very delicate and can easily lose their dimensional layering if focus isn't sharp, so in post-processing we aimed to preserve fabric textures without excessive skin smoothing, aiming to present realistic skin texture and garment weave. The blue-and-white palette looked exceptionally clean against the night sky; our initial choice to shoot at night was precisely because the darkness enhances the cool, pure aesthetic of this white dress. With the background lights blurred into circular bokeh dots, the frame gained an elevated sense of ambiance.
This version of Rem differs from her conventional maid outfit, but the styling infused with fantasy elements has its own unique allure. Every cosplay project is a fresh journey—from selecting fabrics and testing makeup to shooting on location, every phase demands full dedication. The moment I saw the finalized photos, all the fatigue melted away, and I look forward to unlocking even more diverse styles in the future for Rem cosplay.