[Misaki Cosplay] The Leader of Genryumon from Blue Archive, Gun and Cheongsam in the Rain

After the Firefly ACG Expo ended, I specially arranged this outdoor Anime-style photo set shoot for Blue Archive's Misaki cosplay. Looking closely at the photos, it might be hard to tell, but it had just rained on the day of the shoot. The standing water on the asphalt road formed a great reflective layer at a low angle, providing a cool-toned, neutral atmosphere to the frame.

Let's first talk about the presentation of the outfit. What took the most effort this time was the texture of the main cheongsam. The deep blue fabric presented a subtle sheen under the natural diffused light, not overly flashy but very substantial. The gold dragon embroidery stitches on the front closure were dense with flowing lines, creating a visual transition from cool tones to bright accents alongside that teal frog closure at the neckline. The vertical-striped linen texture of the coat was quite structured, and the open teal lining served as a crucial splash of color against the cold, gray rainy backdrop, preventing the overall dark styling from looking too dull in this cheongsam cosplay look.

The pairing of props also stayed as close to the character setting as possible. This prop gun with a folding wooden stock is quite heavy. During the shoot, I needed to manage the holding posture and weight balance, especially when dangling it with one hand or cradling it horizontally, ensuring the shoulders didn't slouch and the collarbone lines were naturally exposed so that the silhouette of the cheongsam could be fully supported. To achieve this effect, I adjusted the grip position on the prop multiple times before shooting, using slight adjustments in hand height to make the arm lines look cleaner.

Styling the hair and settling the makeup also required a lot of thought. The deep blue wig had to be shaped into tight yet slightly fluffy twin buns, and the curvature of the long bangs on both sides needed to be set with hairspray to prevent them from getting disheveled by the wind outdoors. For the makeup, I chose a reddish-brown eyeshadow base paired with light-colored contacts, making my gaze appear focused and cool even in the low-light outdoor environment of a rainy day.

Choosing an outdoor road as the location introduced far more unpredictable factors than a studio shoot, such as slippery roads, passing vehicles, and raindrops that could start falling at any moment, all of which increased the difficulty of getting the shot. However, it was precisely this slightly gritty, realistic street environment, combined with this outfit that originally blends traditional elements with modern tactical props, that generated a visual tension far more immersive than a studio setting. The shooting process didn't intentionally seek complex compositions, mainly relying on the character's posture on the road and a wide depth of field to capture that clean, sharp aura.

Overall, this piece didn't undergo too much color shifting in post-processing; it basically preserved the natural color temperature of the rainy day, only making minor adjustments to brighten up details. Previously, many friends at the convention venue showed interest in this look, so I took advantage of the right environment to complete this final photo set as quickly as possible, serving as a complete fulfillment of my recent preparations for costumes, makeup, and props.