These Convention photos finally brought Sheng Cai'er's look to life. Sheng Cai'er from Throne of Seal possesses the very distinct traits of an assassin—cool on the outside yet passionate within, decisive and resolute in combat. To faithfully recreate this commanding presence on the convention floor, immense effort was poured into prepping the costume and props.
First, regarding this purple-and-blue gradient battle robe, dimensionality is paramount. The pauldrons and the metallic waist embellishments serve as the centerpiece of the entire ensemble; when selecting materials, I deliberately steered clear of cheap, shiny plastic reflections, opting instead for accessories with a matte finish that cast a subtle cold sheen, allowing them to exhibit authentic metallic realism under flashlights. The cuffs feature wide flared bell sleeves that, together with the long skirt train, naturally unfurl whenever I walk or swing my arms, creating gorgeous silhouettes. The wig is a vivid straight purple style with blunt bangs and gold head ornaments. To ensure the hair stayed pristine despite gusts of air and constant motion at the venue, tons of bobby pins and setting spray were used.
The colossal scythe is the visual anchor of the entire photo set. The blade features a gradient finish shifting from deep purple to black, while its jagged contours and blue reflective sheen give it an aggressively sharp edge. In reality, the prop carried substantial weight; hoisting it with one hand was exhausting, yet I had to maintain the character's imposing aura without letting any fatigue show on my face. To capture the full silhouette of the scythe, I continually adjusted my stance to make sure the massive blade didn't obscure my face, all while engaging my core to keep my arm rock-steady.
The convention venue had numerous overhead round lights, but crowded passageways and booths were inevitable in the background. The greatest challenge of convention shooting is finding clean backgrounds within a chaotic hall. This shoot took advantage of a wide-aperture lens and calculated low-angle perspectives to thoroughly blur out background clutter and foot traffic. The second photo utilized a slight upward angle, which not only highlighted the layered flow of the costume's front and back hem, but also lengthened leg lines, lending an imposing, agile presence fitting for a battle-hardened character in Anime cosplay.
For makeup, the focus was placed on cool tones across the eyes and lips, which, paired with the purple wig and cosmetic contact lenses, made the gaze look piercing and intense. Roaming the venue in this outfit while hauling the giant scythe was an astonishing drain of stamina—my shoulders and wrists were sore for days afterward. Yet the moment I saw the visual tension and icy poise on the camera monitor, every ounce of exhaustion vanished. My eyes are your eyes; through the lens, I sought to embody her decisiveness and unyielding grit, and I hope these photos successfully convey that signature chill of this purple-haired scythe girl.