[Blade cosplay] Missed Out on the Honkai: Star Rail x Guming Collaboration, So I Decided to Do a Photo Shoot Instead

Missed out on drinking the collabo beverage, so I decisively did a cosplay shoot to make up for the regret. Although I really missed the Honkai: Star Rail x Guming collaboration wave, seeing so many cosplayers posting photos with that cold, aloof demeanor made me itch to try. So I decided to put my love into action in front of the camera, which counts as another way of "getting a drink," right? The core difficulty of this Blade cosplay look was definitely the wig. The dark blue tone paired with the purplish-red gradient at the tips, along with his signature messy bangs and long locks, really tested the stylist's patience. To recreate that spiky yet slightly melancholic, decadent look, I put a lot of effort into setting spray, creating several layers of inward curls and flicked-out ends at the crown. The long sideburns were also repeatedly adjusted—aiming for a drapey look without looking too stiff. I was relatively satisfied with the final result. Although the post title says "apologies if not accurate," I actually had quite an obsession with this wig styling.

In terms of costume selection, a black jacquard pattern shirt paired with an asymmetrical white vest and topped with that long white coat—considering the character's wandering chivalric aura and proud solitude, the choice of materials was crucial. For the white coat, I chose a slightly stiffer fabric so that it would hold a structured silhouette when worn and billow nicely when the wind blows. The double-breasted buttons on the vest were also quite detailed, and paired with black trousers and the chain hanging at the waist, the overall visual center of gravity was stabilized. For makeup, the focus was on the eye makeup blending; the red contact lenses were the finishing touch, which, combined with slightly elongated, sharp eyeliner, conveyed the character's indifferent yet slightly deadly glare. The red tassel earring on the ear was also an important detail. During the shoot, as it gently swayed with my movements, it naturally drew the eye toward the profile and neck lines.

For this outdoor shoot location, we chose a traditional Chinese style street in our area with authentic charm. Featuring blue bricks, tiles, wooden doors and windows, and red lanterns, it perfectly matched the character's Eastern fantasy style. On the day of the shoot, the light was soft and diffused, ideal for capturing these cool-toned photos. During the shoot, we designed some action poses. For instance, in the first three photos, I intentionally struck a few arrogant or ready-to-strike poses. In Photo 3, holding the hilt and pointing the sword straight ahead, the photographer used a low-angle shot, instantly maxing out the character's sense of intimidation. As for Photo 4, sitting on the stone steps playing with a small purple wildflower, it was intended to show the character's casual or lonely side beyond his cold-blooded isolation—a contrast I personally really love.

Actually, Photo 5 has a real "behind-the-scenes" vibe. Holding a red rose fit nicely with the traditional Chinese style cosplay elements, and even though there were bags and clutter piled on the steps behind me, this reflects the true state of Cosplay photography. Many think cosplay must be flawless, but photos with a bit of real-life flair and behind-the-scenes energy actually capture a cosplayer's genuine mood at the time. Walking around the ancient street in this full outfit was actually quite hot—outdoor photography is definitely a physical endurance test. But when I saw the finished pictures with that cold, distant, yet intense tension, all the exhaustion evaporated. I tried my best to capture the character's off-limits, edgy aura this time. I hope everyone likes this attempt—maybe not 100% accurate, but certainly poured with heart.