[Qingyi cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero Undercover Blues: Since We're Here, Time for a Beatdown

"Since we're here, time for a beatdown"—that is this mecha girl's signature motto. Seizing the opportunity at Firefly ACG Expo, I brought this "Qingyi" Undercover Blues themed battle suit to the venue. The details on this gear are maxed out: from the blue shoulder armor to the cluster of communication and tactical panels across the chest, the belt printed with close-combat insignias and unique identification codes, down to the intentional battle-worn weathering polished into the thigh armor's lacquer finish. Recreating the combat readiness from Zenless Zone Zero is far more than just slipping into a costume. The headpiece structures were rebuilt from scratch; the circular rings and geometric mini-fans for the twin tails had to match the concept art with utmost precision. To complement this styling, I wore custom blue-green colored contacts paired with a subtle reddish smudge beneath the lower eyelids, projecting that cool, ready-to-strike intensity in front of the camera.

For the backdrop, we chose the staircase stairwell in the convention hall. The industrial metal grates and concrete gray steps served as the perfect foil to the aloof aura of this cyberpunk mecha suit. We even carried a few column speakers to stack nearby for added ambiance alongside vintage CRT monitor screens; weaving in these retro elements fit the in-game lore wonderfully, feeling far more alive than a plain solid studio backdrop.

Shooting this set was honestly quite hardcore. Even though the mecha suit was custom-made, the articulation between armor plates and wrist weaponry was restricted. Striking dynamic postures on the stairs—such as tactical half-squats, single-handed floor support lunges, or casual seated low-angle shots—required finding the exact center of gravity. In particular, the elongated leg armor, while elongating proportions visually, easily caught when squatting; unwilling to kneel on the bare floor, I had to rely heavily on core strength to hold the poses. Fortunately, the photographer was exceptional at candid captures; our synergy was seamless, often clicking through frames before I even had time to feel fatigued. Several low-angle shots severely tested facial expression control—a slight lapse could easily result in an awkward upward glare or vacant expression. I consciously focused my gaze slightly above the lens to keep my eyes fierce, exuding that calculated, ready-to-fire edge.

For makeup, crafting the upward flick of the eyeliner was quite time-consuming; balancing the lower eyeshadow gradient was crucial—it couldn't be overly broad like pinkeye, yet needed to convey sharp vigilance. The wig used a rich, accurate dark emerald green; after thinning, high-layered straight bangs were trimmed so they naturally covered the forehead without blocking line of sight. Requiring specialized makeup and colored contacts, getting ready easily took over two hours before walking out the door. In post-production color grading, blue formed the foundational keynote. I asked the editor to maintain the cyan-tinted sheen of metallic reflections while darkening ambient background exposure to make the subject pop. This ensures viewers immediately notice the gear's textural contrast and lighting rather than getting distracted by chaotic surroundings. While studio shots can sometimes look starkly isolated in post, blending with our curated set gave it the authentic feel of weaving through dark urban alleyways.

Whenever cosplaying characters with heavy mechanical components, friends are always curious about prop fabrication. The arm bracers and leg armor in this set used high-density EVA foam as a base, treated with multi-layer primer putty and spray paint to achieve that matte finish with a subtle bluish metallic sheen. Though heavy and exhausting—even requiring assistance to unscrew bolts during dressing and undressing—seeing the final photos made every hardship worthwhile. The prop stock and hand armor also underwent meticulous weathering and metallic putty coloring. Holding them felt solid in hand, preventing them from looking flimsy on camera and naturally reinforcing combat postures. Encountering so many fellow fans at the expo who recognized and called out the character made me realize that an outstanding cosplay work truly demands comprehensive polishing across makeup, costume, props, photography, and post-production. The moment I moved dynamically on those stairs in this Undercover Blues suit, I genuinely felt like that operative ready to step up and take down any troublemakers. Beyond the battle suit itself, the character's persona was fully channeled into every movement. I look forward to more opportunities in this Cosplay sharing journey to embody fascinating game characters and rediscover that fully immersive experience in front of the lens.