[Marisa Cosplay] A Magician's Journey with Touhou Project and Fan Design

A black-and-white contrast Lolita-style dress, an exaggeratedly large wide-brimmed hat with ruffled edges, and a custom broom equipped with a warm-glowing lantern formed the core look of my Touhou fan design Marisa convention photo shoot.

The outfit combination was actually thoughtfully planned. The black-and-white vertical striped corset vest inside was very practical—it defined the silhouette cleanly while its gold buttons added a nice vintage highlighting touch. Abundant white ruffles and lace trimming around the collar and sleeves added a flourish of gorgeous lightness while maintaining the overall dark tone. The fluffy, multi-layered black-and-white paneled skirt created a beautiful cascading effect when walking or sitting down.

A lot of effort also went into the prop this time. The broom in my hands had a unique design, with the vintage lantern hanging from its tip being a major highlight. To make it actually light up, we hid a battery circuit inside the handle. Due to the materials and weight distribution, holding this prop required significant arm strength, making it a true physical endurance test when managing facial expressions at the same time. However, once the warm light inside the lantern glowed in the dim environment, it instantly created the atmosphere of a magician on a night ride.

Shooting convention photos is actually much more rushed than a formal studio photoshoot; this entire set was shot in a side corridor of the convention hall. The ceiling featured numerous downlights, casting strong overhead light. If the angle wasn't right, the huge hat brim would cast heavy shadows over my face. So during the shoot, I collaborated with the photographer to adjust head angles repeatedly. In photo 3, where I gently touched the brim with one hand and tilted my head slightly, that positioning perfectly avoided shadow spots while clearly showcasing the dress's waistline and collar lace structure.

For the long golden hair, I opted for a straight wig and braided a thin strand on the left side, ensuring that even with such a large hat, the hair wouldn't obstruct my view while adding a playful layer of detail to the overall style. For makeup, I skipped overly heavy eyeshadow and kept it clear and fresh, relying on blush and contact lens color to accentuate the spirited fairy-like vibe of this Touhou fan design.

Since this creation leans toward a fan design, in addition to retaining core elements like the broom, blonde hair, and black-and-white dress, I integrated retro dress elements into the garment's structure. Marisa's personality in the original lore is lively and mischievous; under this monochrome palette, I tried to blend playfulness with mystery without sticking to stiff standing poses. Posing while seated was also essential—the semi-cross-legged floor seat in photo 2 made the skirt and broom placement look natural while easily highlighting prop details.

Flash snapshots in convention photos feel completely different from the diffuse soft light of a formal photoshoot. This high-contrast lighting sometimes accentuates fabric textures and metallic accessories even better. During retouching, I avoided over-editing the light and shadows, keeping the authentic lighting atmosphere of the convention venue intact. Although the setting was relatively simple, bringing my carefully prepared costume and props to capture these moments live made it immensely rewarding.