Today I'm sharing the solo shots from this Touhou Project Medicine Melancholy cosplay set. The initial inspiration for shooting this came from Medicine's unique allure—that gap between looking like a tiny, harmless doll while harboring deadly poison truly captivates me. To capture this visually, considerable effort went into the hair and makeup. The wig was chosen as an airy blonde curl with trimmed straight blunt bangs, paired with blue colored contacts to emphasize an exquisitely doll-like yet melancholic gaze. The attire follows an overall black-and-red Lolita dress style; the white lace flutter-sleeve cape collar adds a touch of vintage sweetness, while the black jacquard lace bodice has wonderful tactile texture. The skirt is an ultra-voluminous red flare emblazoned with prominent black cross motifs, accented at the waist with golden chains and a colorful sash—the skirt sways with immense volume as I move, requiring constant vigilance over the petticoat's shape.
The location was set in a blooming Sunflower field. Although the sun was blazing, we began shooting in the afternoon to avoid harsh, overhead light. Navigating the black agricultural plastic film and narrow stone pavers in little leather shoes along the ridges was quite tricky and demanded careful balance. Photographers @时崎夜刃📸 and @灬小吃 provided wonderful guidance on framing, light, and shadow. Since this was the solo section of a duo set, they focused heavily on emotional nuance and giving the frames breathing room while capturing me alone. I held a bouquet of white blossoms throughout, which created a striking color contrast against the radiant sunflowers, symbolizing the intertwining of poison and purity.
During shooting, sunlight filtered through the petals onto my face, casting dappled light and shadow. We continuously adjusted angles, incorporating transmission towers and distant buildings as background accents so the scene carried not just a sea of flowers, but dimensional real-world depth. For the crouched shots nestled among the blossoms, adjusting the skirt drape and posture took quite some time to avoid crushing the sunflowers, but the resulting posture looked wonderfully natural. The most rewarding part of cosplay is seeing the mental image of a character collide with real-world scenery. Every phase—from makeup tests and fittings to on-location shooting—demands patience. The sunflowers shed a lot of pollen that dusted the wig, and the hem caught a bit of dirt, but that's all part of the authentic outdoor experience. This set essentially captures the Medicine Melancholy in my heart—combining the delicate craftsmanship of a Lolita gown with the organic vitality of nature. I hope everyone enjoys this little sweet poison blooming in the Sunflower field.