[Rei Ayanami Cosplay] Neon Genesis Evangelion & Honkai: Star Rail Red-Skin Luna: New Year's Eve Convention Free Pass Log

From the moment I booked my plane tickets and hotel, I decided to dedicate both days to the anime convention at the Xiamen International Expo Center.

This time, I applied for the cosplay free pass, scheduled for January 1st and 2nd. This was also an important event for me following New Year's 2025. The early preparations were tense, all to present the most ideal state at the venue.

On the first day, I cosplayed Rei Ayanami, choosing the classic old-version school uniform look. The costume structure seems simple, but it heavily tests the garment's pattern and fit. The white sailor collar and blue-green pinafore dress had to be adjusted to fit perfectly, and the thin red ribbon on the chest required absolute symmetry. The hairstyle was a fresh short bob; to give the front bangs a naturally draped texture, every strand had to be finely styled. For makeup, I went with a cool and distant style without strong color contrast, focusing on defining the eye shape and light red pupils. Shooting by the waterside in natural light, with the surface reflections and soft breeze, unexpectedly captured the character's quiet essence.

On the second day, the red-skin Luna was a completely opposite extreme style. A red cropped jacket, a midriff-baring inner top, black denim shorts, and over-the-knee boots gave the entire outfit a strong sporty vibe. The most time-consuming part was the ring blade props. To hold them securely in the hall and strike sharp poses, I specifically designed custom fixing straps. The pink gradient long hair was very vibrant in the hall; the indoor overhead lighting contrasted with the high-saturation red, creating strong action tension in the shadowy areas of the venue.

The venue for this anime convention was huge, with complex lighting layouts. As a veteran convention-goer, choosing suitable background spots was crucial. During the two-day shoot, I intentionally avoided crowded, chaotic aisles and searched for monochrome background walls and prop areas as shooting locations. The essence of anime convention photography isn't just dodging passersby, but making the subject stand out sufficiently in the frame. Luckily, the hall had high ceilings, making wide-angle shots easy to execute.

The weather in Xiamen around New Year's Eve was great, and the air conditioning in the venue was just right. This was my first time attending the Anime Carnival at Xiamen International Expo Center. The atmosphere at the venue was wonderful, with people rushing in from all over the country, and many well-equipped fellow fans roaming the hall. Besides cosplayers, I also saw people wearing Lolita, Hanfu, Tokusatsu suits, and fursuits.

Welcoming the new year from late 2025 to early 2026 through roleplay felt deeply ceremonial. Although the tight two-day schedule was tiring, I was very satisfied with the final photos. Whether it was the quiet and reserved Rei Ayanami or the bold and cool Luna, both left memorable images under the convention's light and shadow. The fun of an anime convention lies in these brief encounters across dimensions; immersing oneself to feel the charm of the characters is truly a pure experience.