[Li Zhiyan cosplay] Arknights: Endfield Pop-Up Store Photoshoot Log

Today, I'm finally sharing the official photo set of Li Zhiyan from Arknights: Endfield. Ever since shooting on location at the Endfield pop-up event in Omotesando and Harajuku, I have been eagerly anticipating this set. Cosplaying Li Zhiyan, I felt the sheer techwear aesthetic of the outfit the moment I unpacked it. The jacket features three-dimensional tailoring; the black-and-blue palette brings rich visual layering to the camera, especially the capelet structure over the right arm, which sweeps dramatically in motion. To capture its best dynamic flow, I deliberately incorporated spins and pulling motions into the poses. The coat is packed with intricate zippers and black tactical straps, so I took care during dressing to ensure every piece lay flat and contoured against the body to keep the silhouette sleek on camera.

Headgear was the core focus of this look. For those greyish-white fluffy beast ears, I engineered concealed internal anchor structures within the wig so they perched naturally and contoured cleanly to the head. The wig features a gradient from silvery-white to pale cyan-green, which appears remarkably luminous and clear in natural daylight. To match the character's hairstyle, I trimmed the blunt bangs and face-framing sideburns, hand-shaping several wispy strands for an airy breeze. For makeup, to project her cool, composed demeanor, I leaned into cool-toned eye shadow paired with bright blue contact lenses to capture that laser-focused yet aloof gaze.

Now onto the accessory details. The massive mechanical gauntlet on my left forearm carries serious physical weight; finished in black and grey with translucent green parts, it packed tremendous visual punch while lending natural physical weight to my poses, helping me sink deeper into character. The black tactical gloves feature hard knuckle armor, making gestures and clenched fists intensely evocative. I also double-checked the alignment of the black emblem and green mechanical buttons on the white inner shirt to ensure flawless proportions in close-ups. The white forearm wrap was adjusted for a snug fit, while the red woven wristband added a pop of warmth that nicely broke up the monochrome base.

The atmosphere that day was incredible. Even though Harajuku and Omotesando were bustling with crowds, in that corner of the pop-up event, we felt genuinely transported into the game world. As a cosplayer, I love the feeling of blending an anime universe into real-world cityscapes. The photographer offered fantastic framing and lighting guidance; blurring the urban backdrop kept complete focus locked onto the character and costume craftsmanship. To complement the semi-translucent lower garment material, I adjusted my standing angle to let ambient light filter through, showcasing that signature sci-fi edge.

While this loadout was complex to wear—taking substantial time just putting it on, taking it off, and resetting the wig, not to mention the fatigue of repeatedly holding up that weighty wrist terminal—all exhaustion melted away the moment I saw the finished photos. The tactile textures of the gloves and arm apparatus rendered stunningly through the lens, fully capturing the tactical techwear aesthetic I envisioned. The design language here is incredibly rich: from webbing and metal buckles to every micro-detail, everything demanded patience to assemble. I hope this post allows more fans of ACG and sci-fi techwear to feel Li Zhiyan's unique appeal.