[Uesugi Erii cosplay] Dual Blade Records of the Red-haired shrine maiden

Preparing for this Uesugi Erii cosplay photoshoot actually took much more thought and care than usual. The red-haired wig was custom-made, with the curve of the bangs carefully styled so she looks both gentle and quietly detached. The outfit features a classic white base with red accents, but the design details are very deliberate—such as the off-the-shoulder cut, as well as the red cords and small tassels at the chest and waist, which sway lightly with every step, creating an elegant dynamic beauty. I wore protective undergarments underneath, allowing me to pose with greater freedom during the shoot. On the day of the shoot, we aimed to capture the sharp, fierce presence of the dual blades. Holding the long blade in my left hand and the short blade in my right, the movements needed to look cool without being stiff. Especially for the pose of turning around to raise the blade, it required twisting the torso to guide the blade's trajectory; while it looks simple, it actually demands solid core strength, and we took countless takes before finding the most satisfying feel. For the makeup, focus was placed on the red eyeshadow and eyeliner, paired with red contact lenses to make the gaze look intensely focused. Wearing the wig also took quite a while to ensure the little yellow duck ornament on top stayed upright in the correct position. Ultimately, bringing a 2D character to life in cosplay is far more than just wearing a costume—mastering the demeanor is equally crucial. Although this character rarely speaks, she harbors immense power within; thus, while shooting, I tried to rein in my usual lively energy and immerse myself in this quiet yet fierce headspace. The photographer was also a huge help with the lighting: the key light was set very soft, keeping the white fabric glare-free while accentuating the skin's texture. A solid pink background was chosen to make the red hair and outfit pop vividly. Later, we experimented with several different poses, such as letting the scabbard hang naturally or partially concealing the face with the sleeve, and the interplay of light and shadow across different angles was truly captivating. To keep the garments from wrinkling, touching up makeup and smoothing the hem had to be repeated countless times. Standing in wooden geta all day made my feet ache, and my arms were sore from holding the blades; energy was running low toward the end, but seeing the desired aura emerge through the lens made every bit of perseverance worthwhile. Looking at the raw shots delivered by the photographer, I quietly gave this shoot a high score in my heart. I have always strived to draw closer to the image painted by the words of the Dragon Raja novel, and this shoot feels like turning in my finished exam. Feeling a character's emotions under varying lights is the most fascinating part of cosplay, far beyond just striking a few poses. I am deeply grateful to every crew member involved—working tirelessly together to obsess over every detail for a single frame is an unforgettable experience.