For this cosplay shoot of Moria Ruruka from Detective Precure!, we specially chose a study room full of vintage atmosphere. To restore the character's temperament, I spent a long time in advance adjusting the wig styling, especially those two exaggerated golden ring-shaped curls on top of the head, which required a large amount of hair spray and setting spray to maintain that light yet tense arc. The black bat-wing hair ornament on the forehead is the finishing touch, and the purple-red teardrop gemstone right in the middle has a very nice refraction effect under the lighting; during the shoot, I specifically asked the photographer to find some reflective angles.
In terms of clothing, this black-and-gold color-blocked cape-style dress has numerous details. The white ruffles at the collar and cuffs needed to be ironed very flat to support the overall contour. The golden layered decoration on the chest is a stiff material, and its position needed to be adjusted from time to time during the shoot to prevent shifting when bending over or posing. The gold-threaded borders and purple teardrop gemstone pendants at the hem of the skirt are also designs I particularly love, providing a great drape when walking. The lower body was matched with purple translucent stockings and dark glossy chunky-heeled shoes; this pairing not only fits the character's setting but also visually elongates the leg lines well. The purple plush doll in my hand is custom-made, featuring exaggerated big blue eyes, which, whether held in hand or placed beside, adds some playfulness to the frame.
We put a lot of thought into the scene arrangement: dark wooden bookshelves, neatly arranged books, and black-and-white checkered floor tiles. Combining these elements together just highlights the mystery of this outfit. During the shoot, I tried different poses to showcase the character's multifaceted nature. The first group involved sitting on a dark wooden high stool, holding the doll sideways while slightly lifting the chin; this angle just captures the fluffiness of the skirt and the texture of the stockings. The second group had me squatting in front of the bookshelf with one index finger pressed against the chin—this pose slightly tests core strength, but the resulting effect is very natural, conveying a sense of thinking or exploring. The third group involved kneeling on the carpet with the body leaning over a low table, beside which lay a red book; this scene is relatively quiet, like reading or resting in the study room.
Throughout the shooting process, I kept communicating with the photographer about lighting angles because the black and gold materials are relatively sensitive to light, requiring proper shadow transitions to enrich the clothing's layers. The temperature on the shooting day was actually a bit low, and posing back and forth in the study room wearing stockings and a short skirt definitely required some endurance. To maintain the character's demeanor, I tried my best to immerse myself in Moria Ruruka's mysterious yet somewhat playful setting. Grasping the gaze is crucial: it shouldn't be too fierce, yet it needs a touch of anime-style sweetness and slyness. Every gesture was repeatedly confirmed to ensure that stiff fingers wouldn't ruin the overall feel of the frame. The placement position of the prop doll was also adjusted multiple times to ensure it wasn't blocked within the frame while not stealing the main subject's position. The photographer used quite a few artificial light sources to simulate indoor warm light, which ensures accurate facial exposure while preserving the textures in the dark parts of the clothing. In post-processing, we retained the real skin texture without excessive skin smoothing, hoping everyone can see a flesh-and-blood cosplay work. The color tone of this set leaned slightly toward vintage warm tones in post-processing, hoping to draw everyone into that fantasy-filled atmosphere. As a cosplayer, seeing the costumes and props I prepared with care presented in front of the lens is a deeply fulfilling experience. Every portrayal is a brand-new adventure; from hairstyle and clothing to every single gaze and movement, I strive to draw closer to that character existing in the 2D world, and I hope everyone can feel this dedication.