The stifling summer heat naturally evokes the relentless chirping of cicadas, and this Rena Ryuuguu cosplay photoshoot unfolded right within that very atmosphere. To recreate the unique sense of dread and contrast distinctive to Higurashi When They Cry, I deliberately selected this pure white dress, paired with a blue collar, a massive purple bow at the chest, blue wristbands, and black Stockings tucked into dark brown chunky platform combat boots. For the wig, I chose a vibrant orange short style, specifically setting the ahoge strand atop the crown. Tremendous effort went into makeup, emphasizing shadows around the eyes and dark under-eye circles paired with light blue colored contacts, aiming to convey the character's exhausted yet slightly neurotic demeanor in this Anime cosplay.
The shooting location was an abandoned vintage classroom; the peeling walls, wooden window frames, and green chalkboard in the background resonated deeply with the original setting of the story. In my hands, I gripped a custom-made giant black-and-white scythe prop—while carrying notable weight, wielding it felt immensely atmospheric. While scouting angles, I moved back and forth along the window to test the light, hoping to capture a story-rich visual effect where sunbeams pierce through swirling dust motes. However, between the oppressive summer heat indoors and the discrepancy between the damaged state of the actual wall and our envisioned visual concept, I experimented with replacing the background using AI-assisted technology in post-processing for the final composition. On this note, as a cosplayer, I feel somewhat apologetic; after all, the organic texture of live-action shoots can never be fully substituted, and I will continue honing my real-world set-dressing craft in the future.
Throughout recreating the costume and props, I consulted original character references, striving to align garment tailoring and prop proportions as closely as possible. The white dress features a side-slit hem, facilitating movement and allowing leg contours to peek through during poses; paired with black Stockings and combat boots, the styling avoids looking monotonous while gaining visual layering. Standing in the arranged set clad in this ensemble, one could almost hear the unending cry of cicadas beyond the window. Although AI was used for the background, the hard work poured into on-set lighting, hair, and makeup was entirely real. Every foray into cosplay (Lena cosplay) is an earnest attempt to draw closer to the works we adore, with every step from fabric selection to makeup tests and test shoots brimming with challenges. I hope friends viewing this set can feel my dedication to character portrayal and catch a glimpse of that story's unique ambiance in the sweltering heat of summer.