[Makaino Ririmu cosplay] The Little Devil from the Demon Realm of NIJISANJI

For this Makaino Ririmu cosplay, pre-production prep centered on wardrobe details and prop presentation. The outer coat is a long-sleeved pink jacket detailed with dark striping and lace frills along the cuffs and hem, layered over a classic white sailor collar accented by a red neckerchief. I paired this with a black pleated skirt, ribbed white mid-calf socks (stockings), and chunky black platform loafers, which grounded the overall palette nicely. The wig featured loose waves in pale golden-pink with blunt bangs, adorned on both sides with black bow clips. The prosthetic elf ears and devil wings on my back were pivotal elements of this styling; securing their positions took meticulous adjustment to prevent visual seams from various camera angles.

The shooting location was set at Studio No. 81, where the pink claw machine and ocean ball pit harmonized impeccably with the character's atmosphere. To evoke that whimsical, sugary dreaminess, I communicated extensively with the photographer, Huzi Mama. For lighting, we generously incorporated pink-purple and blue neon strips, casting a dreamy pastel macaron aesthetic over the whole composition. Submerging into the ball pit provided wonderful tactile interaction with the pink and blue plastic spheres; holding a plush pink teddy bear in hand instantly unlocked an organic storytelling mood.

The overhead angle inside the claw machine posed quite a physical challenge—curling up within such a tight space while keeping facial expressions relaxed and limbs gracefully extended. When kneeling over sheer drapes and faux cotton wool in this outfit, I had to ensure the skirt's coverage while flattering the leg lines, keeping postures looking natural on camera. As for makeup, the look emphasized pink nuances across the eyes, paired with pink contact lenses to align with the canonical design. The base makeup remained dewy and translucent, complemented by peachy-pink lips that blended seamlessly into the overarching rosy palette.

Throughout the shoot, I explored diverse postures to express different moods. Sometimes I crouched before the claw machine fiddling with the buttons; other times I cuddled plushies while gazing straight into the lens, or used surrounding sheer veils to weave a dreamy, hazy veil. Because this look carries abundant visual motifs, posing required restraint to prevent clutter. Utilizing the wings and elf ears as silhouette extensions strengthened the character's outline. I also continuously adjusted my neck and shoulder posture, keeping the lines of my collarbone and arms flowing smoothly.

After a full day of shooting, despite the physical toll of costume changes and holding poses, seeing the dynamic play of light and shadow in the final frames—along with the cohesive harmony of props and wardrobe—made all the preparations profoundly worthwhile. Sincere gratitude to the photographer's lens for bringing this character to life in three dimensions.