[Uesugi Erii cosplay] Dragon Raja III: Leaving the Truest Imprint on Youth

Planning this Uesugi Erii cosplay took about two months. From selecting the wig materials to repeatedly comparing the shades of every red border on the outfit, the main goal was to stay as faithful as possible to that pure, innocent feeling in Dragon Raja III. Styling the long red wig was quite an effort; to make the curve of the bangs look natural and keep the ahoge on top standing upright, I trimmed it repeatedly multiple times. The red cord knots on the costume and the little gold tassels on both sides were all strung together by hand, and the gold accents created great reflective glints under light.

On the day of the shoot, there was a light drizzle in Tokyo, but it stopped just before we headed out. The humid air gave the park's lush greenery exceptionally rich saturation, making it perfect for an outdoor setting with a subtly melancholic ambiance. While scouting camera angles, we eventually settled on a spot with white arched railings, as their lines framed the subject beautifully and made the composition crisp and clean. The wind was quite strong that day; to keep the bangs from getting messed up, I had to hold up my skirt hem while constantly fixing my hair, which really tested my facial expression management throughout.

The photo holding the yellow rubber duck was a spontaneous idea. I feel this prop is a vital symbol of the character; placing it beside my face directly captured her innocent, worldly-unaware state. The photographer continually guided me to look into the lens, emphasizing a relaxed yet focused gaze. Because the outfit features an off-the-shoulder design paired with black fingerless gloves, finding poses that felt natural while showcasing the costume's design took dozens of close-up takes from varying angles.

Deciding to shoot this Dragon Raja cosplay set to commemorate past youth actually required some emotional preparation. This work accompanied me for a very long time, and the passion and regrets written in those pages have lingered in my mind for years. Looking back at these photos now, they not only froze in time that dedicated, focused state of recreating the character, but also provided a wonderful outlet to express nostalgia for the past. Despite the hard work during the shoot, the moment I saw the final images, every bit of effort felt worthwhile. As part of my personal cosplay portfolio, the overall shooting experience and attention to detail were spot on.