[Chinatsu Remiel cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero Delusion Angel: Head-to-Toe Handmade Cosplay & Pulling an All-Nighter to Make a Costume Log

Getting straight to the point: this Zenless Zone Zero Delusion Angel Chinatsu Remiel cosplay costume was entirely handcrafted from scratch. From sourcing fabrics to finally trying it on, the whole process tested both my patience and stamina. As mentioned in previous posts, crafting the loudspeaker prop was simply beyond my reach, so I had no choice but to drop that bulky accessory during the shoot. Even so, the overall handmade cosplay process left me feeling completely drained and burnt out from pulling an all-nighter to make a costume.

First, let's talk about the upper body outfit details. The white collared shirt underneath wasn't an off-the-shelf garment; rather, extensive edge modifications were made to a basic shirt, including the delicate yet prominent lace ruffles around the collar and cuffs. These layered ruffles required stiff mesh lining underneath to hold their shape, running the sewing machine back and forth beneath my fingertips and testing three separate times to lock in that perfect curvature. What took the most thought was actually the rows of white polka dots on the tie. To recreate that subtly retro and playful texture, instead of using pre-printed fabric, I manually placed and affixed each dot by hand. The large cyan-blue bow at the waist was a major challenge: to support its 3D volume, stiff interfacing was sewn inside. The small yellow circular patches combined with the black-and-white decorative buttons at the bottom carry noticeable weight, requiring snap buttons to anchor it firmly to the shirt hem—any larger movement posed a risk of displacement.

Moving to the lower half, the black pleated puffy skirt might look basic, but the choice of fabric dictates the final dark aesthetic. I picked a coated fabric with subtle reflective properties so indoor lighting creates delicate shifts in light and shadow across the skirt. Further down is my personal favorite leg decoration for this leg garter outfit: the pink-and-white striped slouch socks were hand-spliced from thick striped knit fabric, with elastic drawstrings integrated inside to control the bunching density and create a natural slouchy look. The pink strap above the knee and the black leather thigh ring on the other leg form the visual core of the styling. For the slender straps wrapping around the leg, I specifically factored in extra elastic allowance during pattern-making so they would flatter the leg lines without digging in uncomfortably while walking. Finally stepping into those pink platform shoes boosted my height nicely, offering some relief to the cervical spine that had grown stiff from hours of tailoring.

The biggest regret this time was undeniably the loudspeaker prop. Looking at that tech-heavy mechanical gadget in the original design, I attempted cutting and sanding EVA foam boards, but when shaping smooth curves and applying spray paint, I couldn't achieve the ideal balance of lightness and sturdiness. Constrained by the tools on hand, after three days of repetitive failed attempts and to avoid delaying the photoshoot schedule, I ultimately decided to let it go. However, as shown in the photos, even without that massive accessory, this costume retains immense recognizability.

For photography, I chose to take mirror selfies in front of a glass cabinet indoors. My home environment is packed with toys and collectibles; this lived-in, everyday setting actually gives this anime-style outfit an authentic sense of breaking the 4th wall. When posing, I tried to strike character-accurate stances; even though stickers obscure my face, the goal of showcasing the outfit was fully achieved. Lighting in the photos primarily came from the ceiling fixtures, with a white floor fan on the right framed into the corner of the shot, clearly proving this was a raw mirror selfie taken right at home rather than a staged studio photoshoot—capturing the authentic results of handmade crafting in its purest form.

The sense of accomplishment from this entire costume stems from mastering every detail, though I must honestly admit that many times during the process, I just wanted to buy a ready-made one. Yet watching scrap fabrics and scattered accessories come together into a complete character silhouette brought an indescribable, solid satisfaction. The Delusion Angel design in Zenless Zone Zero features a vibrant collision of colors—blending pink, cyan, red, and black—and balancing the hierarchy of these colors required plenty of time spent adjusting the proportions of each accessory. Even though the loudspeaker prop was ultimately absent, as a cosplayer who relies heavily on handmade cosplay creations, bringing a set from scratch into existence is all about savoring that agonizing yet addictive creation process more than just the end result.