This blue-and-white ensemble paired with a plush circular headpiece was my outfit for the Oct 1 IJOY convention. For the entire day, I was mostly in the venue holding up my prop and taking photos with cosplayers at conventions across various styles, capturing a stack of collaborative returned photos.
The venue setup for this convention was spacious, with metal roof trusses and high-intensity lighting in the exhibition area that proved very forgiving for my outfit. The teal-and-white color-blocked cropped jacket I wore featured gold edging that rendered crisp reflective textures under bright light, highlighting the pink bow and gemstone ornament on the chest. To complement the overall look, I wore white gloves and attached a colorful heart-shaped badge charm at my waist, visually echoing the primary palette. The transparent cylindrical prop was secured in advance with the handle resting comfortably just above the waist, making it easy to raise for stable arm postures from any angle without feeling cumbersome.
The crowd at the convention was massive, but the hustle brought endless joy in spontaneous encounters. Many friends who joined me for photos put immense effort into their looks. One cosplayer wore a teal sleeveless qipao top paired with white animal ears for a sleek, refreshed aesthetic—standing side-by-side, our blue-and-white themes harmonized beautifully. Another wore a red, black, and white color-blocked uniform while holding a long polearm prop, commanding strong presence; taking a Booth photo in front of the display booth, the background truss lights sculpted crisp, three-dimensional silhouettes for both of us. There was also an elf-eared look in a cream retro dress with a black bow tie, as well as a charming outfit featuring a light green striped apron, yellow beast ears, and a red ribbon. Every cosplayer participating in taking photos with cosplayers at conventions poured exquisite care into fabric choices and fine details.
Regarding props, I'm not accustomed to carrying heavy gear, though this cylindrical prop was quite sensitive to lighting angles. Thankfully, studio lighting and venue illumination at the convention were abundant, yielding great raw shot quality right out of the camera. Personally, I prefer minimal post-processing for subtle color harmonization without stacking heavy filters, preserving real makeup details and fabric textures. The venue provided designated rest and makeup areas—a lifesaver for cosplayers needing to touch up makeup or fix wigs on the go; I stopped twice mid-day to reapply loose powder and lip tint.
Beyond photo tasks, I took breaks to browse the merchandise booths. The magic of an anime convention lies not only in capturing stunning photos, but also in witnessing live recreations of works previously only seen online. Seeing people weave through crowds holding handcrafted weapons or wearing ornate ballgowns offered an authentic offline community vibe impossible to replicate through screens. Walking ten thousand steps carrying props was exhausting, yet seeing the camera filled with photos made all tiredness fade away.
This trip to the IJOY Beijing Anime Convention served as both a costume and prop trial run, and a wonderful gathering with fellow enthusiasts. Presenting my carefully prepared cosplay in such a vibrant, creative setting while admiring everyone's unique styles made it a deeply meaningful holiday trip. I hope future conventions maintain this lively, pure atmosphere, carrying forward these genuine moments of joy.