[Nico cosplay] The carefree troublemaker of Zenless Zone Zero

On this day of the Zhongshan AS25 anime convention, I cosplayed Nico from Zenless Zone Zero. Actually, compared to complicated mecha suits or gorgeous gowns, this outfit dominated by black leather is more of a test of detail quality and carrying the character through personal aura. Preparation started very early that morning, from securing the wig to adjusting the makeup, all in hopes of maximally restoring her cool, edgy vibe mixed with playfulness in this Casual cosplay.

The wig was a custom-made pink twintail styling, with minor adjustments made to enhance layering and fluffiness. The small orange hairpins at the roots and the black bow hair accessory with neon green accents on the right side looked exceptionally striking under the convention's incandescent lights and camera flashes. Although pink hair is quite eye-catching in daily life, in a large convention like this, it creates a great visual contrast against the cool-toned industrial venue environment.

In terms of clothing, the texture of the cropped black leather jacket was key. To keep it from feeling too dull, white patchwork was added to the lapels and cuffs, layered over a cropped tank top with black-and-white geometric stripes. This alternating black-and-white pairing focused the upper body's visual center on the collar and shoulders. The red circular patch on the shoulder was not only a decorative touch, but also injected a bit of street punk flavor. Wearing the black leather choker adorned with silver metal hearts and rings, the snug restriction around the neck was very effective in shaping the character's aloof demeanor.

The hem of the black leather shorts on the lower body featured a thick white plush fur trim. The originally tough black leather shorts gained a touch of soft cuteness due to this fur trim, creating a wondrous harmony with the character's personality. The waist utilized multi-layered black leather belts with metal buckles; this complex layering cinched the waistline, improving overall proportions. To make the leg lines look crisper, I paired them with over-the-knee black stockings and thigh straps, plus a pair of black chunky platform lace-up Martin boots. The belt buckle details on the leg garters and boot collars echoed each other, making the lower body layering exceptionally rich. Hanging at the waist was a bright green plush doll pouch—a very lively pop of color amidst the overall black-and-white palette. When shooting the second pose with both arms raised, this plush doll swayed along, adding lots of dynamic movement to the frame.

The shooting environment was the indoor exhibition hall of Zhongshan AS25, where overhead metal trusses and large floor-to-ceiling glass windows blended natural light with indoor artificial lighting. The venue was spacious, with booths and crowds scattered in the background. Photographer NightDiva used a wide-aperture telephoto lens to nicely blur the background, preserving the bustling convention atmosphere while preventing the complex background from stealing the spotlight from the subject in this Convention photography.

During the shoot, we experimented with several different states. For instance, in the first pose sitting on a high stool, pointing one hand toward the camera with the other slightly retracted, this movement required a strong sense of eye contact with the lens to convey confidence and provocation. The third shot, with arms crossed in front of the chest, offered a completely different feel—appearing cooler and more guarded. Another shot captured the moment my hair was caught in the breeze with arms slightly open; that was a very lively moment, faithfully restoring Nico's casual and carefree state.

From finishing makeup and putting on this gear in the early morning to wrapping up shooting at dusk, even though this outfit was indeed a bit heavy—especially in the crowded hall where leather breathability was limited—every time I walked into good lighting and the camera shutter clicked, all the fatigue seemed instantly healed by the moments frozen in the photos. When the photographer's flash went off, clearly illuminating the luster of the leather on the clothing, it made me feel that all the preparation was worth it. This set of photos isn't purely a studio shoot; the natural on-site convention atmosphere endowed them with more vitality. Sharing this day of Nico cosplay at Zhongshan AS25, I hope everyone can appreciate the texture of this costume under natural lighting conditions.