Under the crisscrossing lights inside the Hypergryph Carnival exhibition hall, I stood before the booth gripping this nearly life-sized staff, feeling its substantial weight. Today, I'm portraying Xaihi from Arknights: Endfield. From initial fittings to finalized makeup, the intricacies of this Xaihi cosplay proved far more complex than I had anticipated. The fabric textures are richly layered: combining a black leather corset with mesh fabric demanded precise tailoring. To ensure a snug fit, I tightened the corset beforehand; though it restricted breathing during the shoot, it was an essential compromise to convey the character's sharp, crisp silhouette. The wig is pale cyan; to accommodate the canon elf ears, I spent considerable time adjusting hair flow so the ears remained uncovered, while blue contacts caught the light to accentuate the character's icy demeanor. Makeup emphasized sharp eye contours with upturned outer wings, complementing deep blue eyes to capture her rational, composed gaze as accurately as possible.
The weapon prop was an absolute test of physical stamina. The metallic black staff was far heavier than it looked, especially the spiked ring at the top. Lifting it with one hand while holding an elegant posture required my core muscles to stay constantly engaged. When holding the staff horizontally, I could feel my arm muscles trembling slightly, yet on the surface, I had to project complete poise. Huge thanks to photographer Kaiko Watanabe for on-site guidance. Xaihi embodies a quiet, aloof presence that remains firmly in control. During shooting, Watanabe-sensei continually reminded me to mind my shoulder and neck lines, treating the weapon not as a burden, but as an extension of my arm. We explored multiple standing poses and waist-up close-ups before the venue's sci-fi blue lighting. When resting the staff across my chest or looking back over my shoulder, the mechanical aesthetic of Endfield and the character's distinct cool detachment came through instantly.
The booth scenography was a tremendous asset: floating colored cubes and neon geometric lines matched the striped hem of Xaihi's skirt unexpectedly well, making it feel as though I had stepped straight into the game's setting. The raised white lines on the skirt hem were striking, though navigating steps made tripping easy, requiring me to lift the skirt carefully while walking. The white scarf and necktie on the chest appear deceptively simple, but they incorporate layered tailoring reinforced with interfacing to hold their shape. Despite these minor inconveniences, standing there in full gear made me feel completely immersed in that sci-fi universe. The hall buzzed with crowds, and having passersby pause to take photos was an incredible form of validation. The elf ears were attached with prosthetic adhesive, which became slightly uncomfortable over long hours, but enduring it was worth the visual fidelity. Through this Xaihi cosplay, my understanding of the character deepened substantially. Packing up the costume and props to prepare for upcoming plans, I hope every presentation brings me closer to the character's core essence.