The theme of this shoot is "The Marionette Ego," corresponding to Wakaba Mutsumi in the world of Ave Mujica while also experimenting with the dark aesthetic of an Arknights collaboration style. The location was set in a room filled with vintage dolls, where deep red lighting and a striking red-fringed lamp crafted a quiet, mysterious atmosphere. Holding a deep blue-grey plush bunny, I aimed to capture the character's signature loneliness and restraint within the silence.
In cosplaying this character, her silence and sense of distance were key elements to highlight. The concept of a marionette shares a subtle fatalistic resonance with Wakaba Mutsumi's personality—pulled by unseen strings yet fundamentally solitary. Therefore, I kept my expressions minimal; lowered eyelids and a slight upward gaze, paired with high-contrast black-and-white lighting, gave the frame a breathless, frozen-in-time quality.
For styling, I chose high-contrast black and white. The black wide-brimmed witch hat in Gothic style cosplay was remarkably striking, with straight silver-white locks interweaving against the black dress. The chest features black lace strapping details, while delicate teal ribbons accent the neckline, echoing the teal bow on the plush bunny. The double-layered black-and-white skirt offers wonderful movement, and I incorporated black straps into the black tights outfit design on my legs to make the overall silhouette sharper and more refined.
Special thanks to photographer Orange for their patient calibration; shooting with a single light source in such low-light conditions imbued the furniture carvings and doll silhouettes with an aura of mystery amidst the interplay of light and shadow. I handled the post-processing myself, focusing on subduing background clutter while brightening the face and white wig, achieving a more harmonious balance between the subject's contours and the overall mood. The full-body standing composition perfectly showcased the layered costume details and leg styling accessories.
Exploring this vintage Gothic style, imbued with melancholy and quietude, was a wonderful endeavor—from prop preparation to emotional immersion, it was a completely fresh experience. Combining elements of Arknights and Ave Mujica to portray Wakaba Mutsumi in such an immersive setting was immensely fulfilling. I hope everyone enjoys this dark, vintage visual series.