[Ake cosplay] Honor of Kings Ake convention photos: Red-and-black leather outfit with dual blades

Today, I'm sharing the Convention photos of Honor of Kings Ake taken at Guangzhou Firefly ACG Expo. The material of this outfit is primarily faux leather, which truly tests your endurance in summer—especially when shooting outdoors or in crowded convention halls. Leather is completely unbreathable, requiring a break in a well-ventilated spot every half hour to prevent makeup meltdown. The wig selected was long black hair with subtle waves; to recreate that untamed, wind-blown feel, I styled the strands with strong hold and used a portable fan to introduce dynamic motion during the shoot, otherwise the hair would stick flat against my back and lose an assassin's fierce edge.

The makeup demanded the most effort with the red colored contacts and eye styling. Red lenses have low light transmission, darkening vision significantly, so walking around and positioning required an assistant's guidance. The eye makeup used an expansive wash of deep-toned blending paired with cool-toned porcelain base makeup to evoke an assassin's cold, glamorous, and dangerous aura, finished with a dark berry lip shade. Winged red eyeliner at the outer corners tied directly into the outfit's crimson accents.

Props were the highlight this time: oversized dual blades featuring a silver-gray paint job with red geometric patterns. To enhance on-site realism at the con, I added simulated blood splatters along the blades and legs. The fake blood was mixed using specialized syrup and pigments; once dry, it darkened naturally, resting perfectly across my legs and blades without staining the outfit. Long black claw-like press-on nails were specifically applied—poses required spreading the fingers wide to simulate slashing strikes or a firm dagger grip, flexing wrist tension to project raw intensity.

For pose direction, since Ake is an assassin, the focus centered on dynamic body curves—such as kneeling on one knee or reaching one hand forward toward the lens. The challenge in shooting convention photos lay in balancing ambient smoke and complex lighting: wide apertures blurred distant signage and bustling crowds, while portable smoke machines created atmospheric depth reminiscent of a battlefield. Many shots utilized side-backlighting, beautifully highlighting the sheen of the leather outfit and the silhouette of the hair, though it risked underexposing the face, requiring the photographer to carry a small fill light. Watching out for awkward leather folds and keeping the Stockings smooth were constant priorities.

Because the lighting on set was chaotic with strong specular glints, frequent communication with the photographer was crucial to angle the fill light obliquely across the face, carving out three-dimensional facial features. Inside the Guangzhou Firefly ACG Expo venue, despite harsh overhead illumination and messy ambient light, we found a relatively open corner, utilizing natural bokeh and smoke effects to sculpt our own scene, resulting in remarkably moody frames. To bypass the bustling crowds, we relied mainly on shallow depth of field and low-angle upward compositions.

The core strength of this cosplay lies in the interplay of leather textures and weapon props, with semi-sheer black Stockings faithfully honoring the character's original design. Walking the convention floor, many attendees stopped by asking for photos; despite the fatigue of high heels, interacting with everyone was immensely rewarding. By continually fine-tuning light, shadow, and action, we aimed to channel the character's innate tension. Convention shoots are exhausting, but coming away with satisfying photos makes every bit worthwhile. I hope these convention shots let everyone feel Ake's distinctive charm.