[Liino Cosplay] Arknights: Endfield at Hypergryph Carnival: Setting Off with 100 Freebies

Packing a hundred physical \"plastic pieces,\" I barely made it out the door on time. Looking at the heap of acrylic keychains and stickers scattered across my desk waiting to be bagged before leaving, I kept muttering to myself: arriving near the venue at this hour, can I really hand out all 100 freebies today? Despite asking that out loud, my hands were honest enough to shove every last item into my bag. Since I prepared a hundred, I just have to press forward; worst-case scenario at the venue, I'll hand them out to anyone I see. \"Will I win?\" Don't ask—it's all about sharing with genuine sincerity.

This time I cosplayed Liino from Arknights: Endfield. Honestly, beyond whether people recognize the character, I enjoy the sense of ritual in bringing a 2D character into reality in my own way. The most recognizable feature of Liino's design is this huge black circular halo headpiece; it indeed carries some weight, but tying it firmly helps stabilize my center of gravity. Paired with those pointed elf ears, walking through crowds at the anime convention venue gives fantastic visual layering. To match her clear yet playful aura, I intentionally enhanced glitter layers in the eyeshadow, paired with custom purple contact lenses and long upper and lower eyelashes, capturing that unique 2D anime reflection under natural light. I'm quite satisfied with how the eye makeup complements the hair color.

About these 100 \"plastic piece\" merch items: although I playfully poke fun at them as \"plastic pieces,\" I agonized over every step from illustration and sampling to packaging selection. The two keychains packaged in laser holographic pouches and three stickers shown in photos are just part of the batch. I chose high-quality acrylic sheen and coated sticker surfaces; particularly, the colorful rainbow reflections from the laser bags look visually delightful and should grab attention at booths or during Freebie exchange moments. That's why I was so obsessed before leaving about whether they'd all be distributed smoothly—after all, these freebies carry so much heart, and I hope fellow fans receive them warmly.

The atmosphere at Hypergryph Carnival is always incredibly vibrant. In an offline space so steeped in ACG culture, seeing everyone working hard for their passion is deeply inspiring. Although leaving last minute felt rushed, arriving on site and connecting with people who share the same passion instantly washed away all anxiety. I believe the most important aspect of offline events isn't how bold you are, but sincere communication. Conventions are often far more than taking photos and checking in—they are gatherings to share character insights and passion. Especially during Freebie exchange moments when people wordlessly hand over little items they crafted; even in a fleeting encounter, it creates a genuinely heartwarming connection.

From preparing merch and makeup/styling to rushing out the door last minute, the whole process felt like a mini adventure. As a cosplayer on-site, there's quite a bit to manage—like sun protection, preventing makeup from melting in the heat, and constantly checking if hair and headpieces remain neat. But seeing final Convention photos makes every effort feel completely worthwhile. In this photo intended for the cover, touching my face gently with one hand avoids obscuring the navy collar and large purple bow on my chest, naturally highlighting sailor suit details and the character's gentle temperament.

Now I've packed my bag and am ready to dive into the crowd. Hoping to meet more fellow fans who love Arknights: Endfield and Liino. Today's goal is distributing all 100 \"plastic pieces\" and harvesting delightful recap Convention photos. Coming to an event like this always refills my energy to keep pursuing what I love. Hoping everyone at Hypergryph Carnival today enjoys this offline celebration and feels the pure excitement that gaming and ACG culture bring.