[Kiriko Cosplay] Overwatch's Cyber Ninja: Straight Out of Hangzhou Overwatch Only

We finally wrapped up this set of Kiriko cosplay at Hangzhou Overwatch Only! Even though the venue was packed, the photographer caught the shots with incredible precision, and I'm super happy with both the lighting and posing in these two photos. In reality, the details of this outfit are far more complex than they look in pictures. The glossy black leather panels stitched onto the white top are made from stretchy faux leather, ensuring a snug fit without being suffocating. The teal triangle and magenta bow embellishments on the chest were all hand-applied patches, and the stiffness of the collar took several rounds of adjustments to prevent it from digging into my neck when leaning forward. The double-bun wig was custom-made with thickened roots and sponge cores inside the two buns, making it much lighter than expected. The magenta highlight on one side uses high-temperature synthetic fiber secured with clips, keeping it from flying around during dynamic poses—a crucial detail for action shots. The black leather bracers and magenta gloves on my wrists serve as key visual anchors. The teal spikes on the bracers were shaped from EVA foam and spray-painted, with rounded edges to avoid scratching my arms during the shoot. The plush look of the magenta gloves comes from thin sponge padding inside rather than just stacked fabric, allowing my fingers to stay nimble enough to grip props smoothly.

As for props, the two photos showcase different accessories. In the first picture, my open hand simulates a starting stance, which, combined with the sharp-angled weapon prop in my right hand, immediately brings out the character's powerful aura. The main body of that weapon was 3D-printed and hand-painted with a pink-to-black gradient, featuring a double-layer blade structure that reveals rich dimension when reflecting light. In the second picture, I switched to a two-handed operation stance: my left hand holds a rectangular card printed with matching color-palette illustrations—the frame of which is made of acrylic for a light, flat finish—while the small purple device held in my other hand complements the motion to simulate a skill force field. These two photos represent my interpretation of two distinct combat stances for the character, showcasing two framing styles I specifically experimented with during this shoot.

The venue lighting was actually quite complex. The overhead lights inside the Hangzhou Overwatch Only hall were warm-toned, but we used a cool side-backlight flash for fill lighting. This brought out the glossy sheen of the black leather while sharpening the highlight points on the wig. In the first shot, strong light hits the left side of my face while leaving shadows on the right, which paradoxically accentuated the depth of my purplish-red eyeshadow. The light purple contact lenses I wore had a subtle fluorescent glow under the venue lights, harmonizing perfectly with the magenta and teal color-blocking on the outfit. The photographer also specifically used a high-angle shot to merge the slice of skin exposed at my waist with the cut of the garment, making the silhouette appear visually sleeker without distorting head-to-body proportions.

Meeting so many fellow fans at the event was an absolute delight! Sharing experiences on costume crafting and 3D printing props was so rewarding. Many of Kiriko's poses require twists of the arms and torso, so I made sure to do some stretching before shooting to keep my facial expression from getting stiff during large dynamic moves. For instance, the two-handed pose in the second photo actually required shifting my center of gravity slightly backward to stay stable while maintaining eye focus right on the card. While this detail might not be obvious in the lens, maintaining high concentration during the shoot helped my upper body look relaxed and natural.

The belt area of this costume also features a layered design: beneath the black leather belt lies a thin pink strap that peeks out along the side of the waist, preventing side-profile shots from looking dull. To align the final image with the concept in my head, I discussed color temperature with the photographer for post-processing, eventually opting for a cooler white balance while slightly dimming the background brightness to make the subject pop.

Honestly, the most intriguing part of Cosplay photography isn't just dressing up like the character, but using movements and expressions to convey their distinct aura. Although time was tight at Hangzhou Overwatch Only, being able to capture these two high-tension photos made every second feel completely worth it. From pre-shoot preparation of outfit and props to adjusting state on-site, every step influences the final output. I hope everyone can feel the cool, sharp, yet playfully cheeky vibe in a subtle cyberpunk style that I strove to embody through these two photos.