Choosing to do Mizuki Akiyama cosplay for Day 2 of randamu came down to my long-time love for this school-style casual outfit design. The light purple chunky cable-knit cardigan is paired with a red-and-black diagonal striped ribbon tie and a crisp white shirt, while the lower half features a classic dark green tartan pleated skirt and an Over-the-knee socks outfit. To complement the outfit, I specifically picked black platform leather shoes with metal buckles, striking a balance between a student look and Mizuki's uniquely distinct style.
The long pale pink wig was styled with loose waves, and the natural curls at the ends paired with the black-and-white ribbon hair accessory on the side made the entire hairstyle look bouncy and full of life. For makeup, to harmonize with the overall cool, serene atmosphere, I opted for a translucent base and soft light pink eyeshadow, paired with light-colored contacts to give the gaze a focused, innocent charm.
These photos were taken by photographer majin.photo. We chose a modern architectural interior with an exceptionally clean background featuring extensive grey floor tiles and light-toned frosted glass backdrop walls. This cool-toned geometric environment nicely contrasted the softness of the light purple sweater and pink hair, giving the composition a clear visual anchor without feeling cluttered in this Anime-style photography session.
During the shoot, I experimented with various moods. For instance, extending both hands forward with gently curved fingertips guided the viewer's eye toward the subject while highlighting the hand contours and the drape of the sleeves. Lightly opening both arms outwards conveyed a more relaxed, casual attitude, capturing the character's lively, slightly quirky daily presence at school.
Cosplaying a 2D character like Mizuki Akiyama means not only aiming for costume fidelity, but more crucially capturing the character's spirit. While this outfit looks soft and cute when worn, subtle adjustments in facial expression and posing helped bring out the unexpected inner resilience of the character.
Participating in offline events like randamu D2 is in itself a mini celebration among fellow fans. Slipping into this attire felt like stepping away from daily routine and entering that vibrant world full of music in Project Sekai. Throughout the shoot, I instinctively tried to catch those subtle nuances unique to Mizuki Akiyama—such as tilting my head slightly or casually fidgeting with the jacket cuff. These candid, uncalculated moments often preserve the character's true vitality best.
Garment texture is essential for cosplay on camera, and the cable-knit texture of this light purple cardigan showed up crisp and clear under the lights. The photographer utilized natural light and selective fill light to render the dimensional texture of the knitwear beautifully, preventing the dark flooring from swallowing the subject. Adjusting standing posture and center of gravity was also key; leaning forward while reaching out utilized perspective to elongate body lines while drawing the viewer's gaze naturally to the face.
Although the venue had a somewhat corporate, business-like setting, through the camera's framing, those structural lines and gaps created sharp geometric cuts that amplified the 2D visual tension. These photos represent my earnest attempt at recreating Mizuki Akiyama, and I hope these layered details convey the character's vivid charm to everyone who sees them.