I finally sorted out this set of Riyo from Gachiakuta! Shooting this was quite challenging because the character leans naturally cold and tough, but I wanted to blend that gritty coolness with cute charm. The outfit—a cropped top with black shorts and thigh straps—really tests body contours. Its snug fit meant keeping my core engaged and back straight the entire time to maintain presence. The hardest part was the massive solid prop weapon; resting it on my shoulder or holding it one-handed was physically demanding. For the first shot resting the weapon on my shoulder, my shoulder muscles were completely tensed to keep it from tilting. The frontal stance raising the weapon was just as tough: balancing my center of gravity while framing the angle to elongate leg and waist lines took dozens of takes to nail.
The Red braids served as the visual centerpiece. Styling the wig took patience, ensuring the bangs were trimmed sharp and the braid ends curled just right to convey her sharp edge alongside bold contacts. Shot on an outdoor plaza under harsh sun, we relied on the photographer's lighting and post-adjustments. Softening my gaze for the bust close-up created a playful, adorable contrast with the heavy weapon. Retouching preserved metallic weapon sheens and weathered pouch textures, capturing the true essence of Anime-style fashion.