When shooting this Kisaki (Swimsuit) cosplay Swimsuit look, the focus was on capturing the character's temperament and showcasing the design of the costume. Before shooting, I specifically analyzed Ryuge Kisaki's personality traits, making aloofness and a touch of mystique the core of this portrayal.
In terms of props, the Black umbrella was crucial in setting the ambiance for the entire shoot. During shooting, I tried letting the canopy occupy a larger portion of the frame, using expansive dark areas to set off skin tones and unify the palette with the dark-gray and black garments. The umbrella ribs also introduced crisp structural lines to the composition.
For hair, the grayish-black long hair was braided into a thick, long side braid draped over the front. The blue butterfly hair accessory was the finishing touch, standing out brilliantly against the pure black palette to break any visual monotony. The sunglasses propped atop the head served as a subtle accent and an essential component of the character design.
Regarding makeup, I selected reddish eyeshadow and colored contacts, emphasizing depth in the eyes. Blush placement was dialed in to complement the cool wig color, creating a porcelain, cool-fair skin texture, with red lips forming a sharp, striking contrast against the gray hair.
Pairing the Swimsuit with the outerwear demanded extra care in posing. Standing straight up would look rigid, whereas seated poses better showcased the body contours. For example, in the third photo (the cover), I adopted a seated knee-hugging pose, allowing the glossy black jacket to drape naturally. The partially concealed look leaves room for imagination, with the umbrella resting behind to create a stable triangular composition.
The venue chosen this time was very minimal—just a white backdrop wall and light floor tiles, ensuring the visual focus remained entirely on the subject. Flat lighting minimized harsh facial shadows and preserved the delicate texture of the skin.
The first and second photos applied blur effects to the legs alongside disclaimer text regarding standard Swimsuit attire to comply with platform moderation guidelines. In comparison, the third photo had the fewest distractions and the most focused composition, which is why I ultimately chose it as the cover.
The first two photos showcase crossed legs and the black ankle socks, details that are also integral to the character design. While posing, I carefully controlled leg angles to ensure the lines looked elongated and sleek.
Throughout the shoot, poses were adjusted repeatedly—like the tension when holding the umbrella with one hand, which had to look effortless without appearing stiff. The Black umbrella was relatively heavy, and holding it for long periods was indeed exhausting, but seeing the final photos made it completely worthwhile.
In post-processing, I unified the cool gray tones and enhanced the contrast, giving the black garments and umbrella richer texture while making the skin appear even fairer.
This complete styling and shoot was a wonderful attempt at recreating the character's temperament. From the hairstyle to the nuanced coordination of the outfit, the final outcome aligned closely with my original vision. Expressing my understanding of the character through the lens and styling is an immensely fulfilling Anime cosplay experience.