[Shameimaru Aya cosplay] The Tengu Reporter in Endless Summer: The Self-Cultivation of a Rainy Day

The weather during the plum rain season is indeed unpredictable, but overcast and rainy days actually fit Aya's vibe perfectly. Taking advantage of this hydrangea season, I wrapped up the first installment of the four seasons Aya project—the Summer Chapter. Although it was drizzling when we left, the colors of Endless Summer in the rain are richer, with water droplets hanging on the petals, creating an excellent visual contrast with the red-and-black Japanese-style outfit I wore. The makeup artist gave me pointed elf ears and red eyes, which, combined with this iconic small red hat and pom-poms, completely maxed out the visual presence of the Tengu reporter. During the shoot, the photographer guided my poses the entire time. For instance, for that pose standing on one leg to showcase the fluttering of the hem, I tried several times before stabilizing my center of gravity, but the feeling of the wind blowing through the skirt hem in the finalized photo was truly spot on. And in the last picture, holding the Bunbunmaru Newspaper ID card makes it feel like I'm ready to pull out my camera to snap new material at any moment.

Originally, this project was meant to record Aya under the changing of the four seasons, starting from the blue-purple flower sea in early summer, moving to autumn maples and winter snow, and finally publishing a physical booklet in spring. The colors of the finalized photos taken so far are very comfortable; although the weather wasn't ideal, it unexpectedly added a moist and refreshing texture. During retouching, I also intentionally preserved the soft tones of the hydrangeas, which perfectly complement the vibrant red rope decorations on the costume. The thing that requires the most attention when taking photos in this outfit is that big pom-pom, which easily blocks the line of sight but is also the soul component of the character. Although outdoor photography on a rainy day comes with many inconveniences, it gives the frame a unique sense of atmospheric clarity. Looking at the wet flower clusters and the character in the viewfinder, this is exactly what makes outdoor shoots so fun for this Anime cosplay project. I hope the subsequent three seasons will also go smoothly, keeping up this creative momentum for Touhou Project content.