The event photos from the Chengdu World Line Anime Exhibition have finally been retouched! This time, I cosplayed as Roxy (Roxy cosplay) from Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.
To prepare for this expo, I started getting ready half a month in advance. After purchasing the wig, I trimmed the bangs and sideburns, braided it into two thick twin plaits, and tied off the ends with black ribbons. The cat ears and blue halo atop my head were custom handcrafted modifications; to match the color as closely as possible to the wig, I tested spray painting multiple times. The off-the-shoulder White dress with cat ears design features ruffled lettuce-edge pleats along the neckline. To better fit the character's everyday casual feel, I layered lace-trimmed safety shorts beneath the skirt and paired it with buckled white Mary Jane shoes accented with tiny black-and-blue pompoms at the heels, giving the overall look an even more playful charm.
The convention was packed on the day, with cosplayers and photographers taking event photos occupying almost every patch of open ground outside the hall. The photographer and I skirted around to a quieter corner along the perimeter, where the backdrop happened to be the night sky and distant streetlamps. Night lighting is quite a test of technical skill; to achieve a pitch-black background with soft, blurry bokeh light spots, we set up a key light and a fill light. The wind was quite strong, which conveniently caught the skirt hem and blue hair, adding a dynamic sense of motion.
During the shoot, I tried several distinct poses. When clasping both hands over my chest, tucking the chin and keeping the gaze tranquil was key; for the shot standing on one leg with a hand reaching forward, maintaining a steady center of gravity and straightening the knees elongated the leg lines; and when pinching the skirt hem with both hands to flare it outwards, wrist control was needed to give the dress a fluffy, airy volume, making it appear more lively. The photographer was fantastic at capturing candid moments, hitting the shutter right as I looked back or walked while lifting my skirt, resulting in remarkably natural shots.
Roxy's character personality is gentle and composed, yet carries a cool, delicate sense of distance. When posing, I deliberately refrained from exaggerated expressions, letting my eyes convey the emotion instead. Because her costume isn't overly intricate, the emphasis lies in fluid, natural body language. This shoot also revealed a few areas for improvement—such as the wig tangling easily in the wind and the prop halo requiring better anchoring. Nevertheless, the overall lighting effects and costume fidelity in the final images completely lived up to expectations.
Although convention photo shoots are always exhausting—carrying bags and walking around the venue all day—seeing these photos brings an immense sense of accomplishment. The atmosphere at Chengdu World Line Anime Exhibition was wonderful, and I met many friends who love the same work. The remaining photos are still being retouched, and I eagerly anticipate the Event photo delivery to showcase even more facets of Roxy. I'll continue refining the details for the next anime convention!