This New Year-themed Ryuge Kisaki cosplay shoot was completed right before Spring Festival 2026. Although preparation was a bit tight, seeing the final photos made it all feel so worthwhile. In this photo set, rather than fancy, complex poses, we focused on depicting the character's poise and approachable warmth during festive celebrations, blending the lively New Year vibe into her personality.
Regarding makeup and styling, custom-tailoring this outfit involved quite a few iterations. The white-based Modernized Guofeng Cheongsam with red trim, accented with Chinese knot frog buttons, differs from traditional Hanfu cuts I've worn before; this subtle cyberpunk-infused style actually demands high tailoring precision. Fortunately, the tailored result fits great—the cinched waist perfectly outlines character silhouette, while red trimmings echo strongly with background red plum blossoms and lanterns.
Crafting the headpieces also took considerable thought. The pair of silver horn-like ornaments and red flower hair accessories fit the New Year theme wonderfully, pairing with dark blue-black long hair to achieve source-accuracy without feeling dull. Styling the wig took plenty of time; to ensure smooth hair strands and 3D volume for hair buns, I repeatedly adjusted the hair structure with the stylist before shooting to present better texture on camera in this Anime-style photography work.
During shooting, the photography director suggested using a low daybed, a white long-plush rug, and dark wooden furniture to construct a retro-fusion indoor set. I selected several sitting postures to convey different emotions. For instance, in the first and third photos, I took elegant side-sitting and kneeling poses holding a "Happy New Year" scroll, displaying the dignified side of the character. Meanwhile, in the second photo—which I picked as the cover image—I relaxed much more, sitting cross-legged on the white plush rug next to a red plum bonsai while holding a red envelope, naturally showing off leg contours in over-the-knee black stockings and barefoot grace.
The combination of black stockings and the Modernized Guofeng Cheongsam stands as one of this outfit's highlights. Wearing over-the-knee stockings with the modified cheongsam creates a stark black-white-red visual division, elongating legs visually while maintaining chic modern style. During shooting, I deliberately adjusted leg angles so the stockings clung closely to leg curves, keeping the cross-legged sitting posture light and effortless. The slightly parted hem of the white cheongsam allowed red trim and black stockings to form sharp contrast, directing visual focus to the core area. This design approach is highly sought-after in Anime-style photography and serves as a trick to raise hit rates for great shots.
On set props, we invested much thought as well. Scrolls with "Prosperity and Wealth" and "Happy New Year" on the low table, along with background red plum blossoms, lanterns, and gold horse ornaments, constructed a complete Spring Festival aura together. In particular, red and white plum branches framed by a circular doorway gave a composition reminiscent of traditional Chinese paintings, filling the image with festive warmth. On-site lighting was specifically calibrated using warm soft light to soften shadows, making skin appear fair and delicate while amplifying cozy New Year celebrations.
Although this photo set went through outfit changes and lighting calibration adjustments during pre-production, and required constant awareness of staying natural while preventing wardrobe slips, the final result turned out ideal. For me personally, shooting and sharing this Ryuge Kisaki cosplay New Year look at the beginning of 2026 feels deeply symbolic; experiencing traditional festivities through a character's perspective in a year filled with new atmosphere brings pure joy.