[The Shorekeeper Cosplay] Blue Butterfly Shadow in Wuthering Waves

Completed shooting The Shorekeeper cosplay in a blue-and-white themed set at the China International Comics Festival (CICF). Although the crowd density at this convention was high, the themed set arranged on site fit the character's serene and slightly mysterious temperament quite well. Speaking of The Shorekeeper, many friends have been asking about gacha pulls; as an enthusiast doing character cosplay purely out of love, I'll leave in-game strength for everyone to experience for yourselves, while we focus on faithfully restoring the character offline. For this hair and makeup look, preparation on the wig and outfit started long in advance. That gradient splash at the top of the head was very troublesome to process; the original hair color was rather light, so to achieve this deep starry-sky blue to ice-blue gradient, I tried dye mixing several times. The wig styling went through multiple revisions before finally selecting this fluffy, naturally messy look that better fits the dynamic feel in the game illustration. For eye makeup, blue contact lenses and cool-toned eyeshadow were used, with the outer corners deliberately extended and paired with pale blue eyebrow shading, making the overall look softer and more ethereal to convey the character's inhuman serenity through the gaze.

Outfit fabric selection was also a key focus of preparation. The primary ice-blue and white fabrics utilized light tulle materials with varying light transmittance—the outer layer features a pearlescent fabric, while the lining uses a matte chiffon. Under ample lighting at the venue, this pairing presents a very dreamy layered look; when a gentle breeze blows, folds along the skirt hem and shoulder sleeves flow naturally without feeling heavy. The silver straps and sequin decorations on the arms and legs were also attached individually by hand. Although putting it on and taking it off was somewhat tedious, and multiple versions of base layers were made internally to fit the body comfortably and avoid awkward skin indentations during photoshoots, the final result made all the effort worthwhile.

On set, besides conventional standing poses, interactive scenes with the environment and props were specifically designed, such as holding up blue butterfly props or gently smelling a blue bouquet. Personally, I feel The Shorekeeper is not an ostentatious or aggressive character; her strength mostly stems from a tranquil atmosphere and gentle body language. Therefore, during this photoshoot, facial expression control was kept mostly soft and contemplative. While capturing shots, the photographer also reminded me to focus on limb extension—such as keeping finger movements relaxed, stretching them as if gently stroking seawater or a cool breeze.

At an anime convention, unexpected situations are inevitable—such as onlookers, photography equipment blocking the way, or sudden light shifts; sometimes getting a perfect candid shot requires pressing the shutter dozens of times. Fortunately, real-time previewing on camera gear for convention photos is very mature now, providing great convenience for tweaking subsequent poses. The close-up shot holding the blue bouquet was actually adjusted across several angles before capturing the exact instant where petals framed the side of my face while my eyes looked directly into the lens—the final image you see here.

Often, the atmosphere shown in final convention photos depends heavily on careful pre-planning and delicate post-editing. Although this theme setup was relatively still and composed, to preserve the character's independence, the set avoided overly complex decor, focusing on blending the character herself with the primary blue and white tones. Ambient light on site was cool-toned, aligning perfectly with the outfit's palette, and makeup setting included anti-shine reinforcement to prevent glare under lights.

The event venue for this China International Comics Festival (CICF) actually supported cosplayers' creation by designating independent photography zones, which significantly improved success rates for good shots. The two blue butterfly decorations on the wig also contained thoughtful details: to give them a light feel swaying with the wind, ultra-thin steel wires were used for mounting. The bouquet shot also considered flower types and shapes, choosing props that suited The Shorekeeper's cool, otherworldly vibe. As I walked in the full outfit, the layered tulle hem swayed with my steps, creating a wave-like fluid movement—which both the photographer and I were most pleased with.

Looking back while organizing these convention photos, every hair and makeup styling brings a completely new sense of experience. I hope The Shorekeeper in front of my lens conveys a quiet, lingering sensation similar to Wuthering Waves' story arc. After every convention ends, despite physical fatigue, seeing the captured results brings genuine satisfaction. While this set still has imperfections—such as unavoidable reflections at certain angles—conventions are full of uncertainty and surprises, making the shoot experience all the more authentic for this Blue-themed cosplay.