[Mayano Top Gun cosplay] Halloween cosplay Themed Photoshoot for Uma Musume Pretty Derby

The first batch of edited photos for this Halloween cosplay photoshoot is finally ready, shared right in time for the countdown. Although this was a birthday special for Mayano Top Gun from Umamusume: Pretty Derby, early in the planning stage the photographer suggested skipping standard studio backdrops in favor of a contrasting solid blue backdrop to bring out a cooler, punchier vibe.

The outfit featured far more intricate details than anticipated—from the black accents on the top to the layered purple patchwork on the skirt, the pink waist straps, metal rings, and leg strap elements, everything required constant attention during the shoot. Props included a white electric guitar and Halloween pumpkins; to complement the overall color scheme, I specifically adjusted the orange tone of the wig to give it a brighter pop.

The shooting process was quite physically demanding because the skirt was relatively short and had multiple decorative chains, requiring caution with movement to avoid wardrobe malfunctions or snagging on the guitar. The most exhausting pose was the final one-legged stance; maintaining balance required leg strength while keeping facial expressions completely natural. Pairing Black thigh-high stockings with platform shoes visually elongated the leg lines significantly, and we shot that pose from numerous angles to find the best line until my legs were completely sore.

Personally, I found the blue backdrop to be a huge plus. The solid cool tone accentuated the character's warm hues without overpowering her presence. When setting up lights on set, the photographer paid close attention to background depth, carefully balancing lights so the white electric guitar wouldn't suffer from excessive glare while retaining the three-dimensional contours of the pumpkins.

To convey the character's signature energy, I experimented with lively poses—such as clutching the pumpkin lantern to my chest or leaning on the white electric guitar for support. With the character's birthday around the corner, completing such a ceremonial shoot with a beloved character was deeply rewarding. The complex costume details made post-processing take a little longer, mainly fine-tuning reflections on metal accessories and fixing minor edge overlaps around the skirt. The remaining two sets are still being retouched, so I'm releasing this one first for everyone to enjoy.