[Amau Ako cosplay] Blue Archive anime convention site record

For this iJoy anime convention, I started preparing the costume and props for this Amau Ako cosplay quite early. The dark blue jacket spliced with the white front chest panel looks very sharp overall. To achieve a better fit, I measured my size in advance and had a tailor adjust the waist tightening to bring the overall body silhouette closer to the original design. I carefully checked the gold buckle on the belt and the black buttons on the jacket to ensure they wouldn't affect the texture due to reflection in front of the lens.

The styling and care of the wig was a major focus of this makeup process. The silver-white short hair needed distinct layers, so I used a lot of hair wax and styling spray to tease out fluffiness while also taking the natural draping of the hair into consideration. The black curved headpiece on top of the head and the red pointed horn on the left side were fixed onto the wig later; to ensure they wouldn't fall off while walking and shooting around the venue, I additionally used over a dozen bobby pins for reinforcement. Once the blue contact lenses were put on, my gaze instantly became sharp, and matched with the eye makeup, the overall 2D anime atmosphere came right out.

For the first photo, I chose to sit on a folding bar stool, a pose that nicely showcases the pairing of the black thigh-high socks and brown glossy platform shoes. The hem of the uniform shorts features light blue lines and brown decoration, which, paired with black stockings, maximally presents the slender lines of the legs. I deliberately crossed my right leg over my left leg, slightly leaning my torso while staring straight into the lens; this posture of laziness mixed with a touch of confidence is my interpretation of another side of this character outside of combat.

When shooting the two standing photos holding the gun, the actions completely switched to combat mode. My right hand held the blue-and-black prop gun extending forward, while my left hand opened backward to maintain balance. This action actually heavily tests core strength; to keep the costume smooth and avoid wrinkles on the jacket and shorts, I kept my back straight. The light blue stripes on the cuffs and the red armband on the arm are extremely eye-catching in the lens—these are highlights of the costume design, and I paid special attention to letting these details show clearly while posing. The moment I put on the blue gloves and gripped the prop gun, that sense of holding weight instantly immersed me in the character.

The lighting environment at the convention site is an extreme test for photography. The circular overhead lights at the top of the venue and the cluttered crowds easily make the frame look flat. Fortunately, we had the professional equipment of photographer @如花. We found a relatively open area at the edge of the venue and used an octagonal softbox with a grid and a side fill light, effectively darkening the cluttered background while making the light and shadow of the character subject more three-dimensional. Especially when shooting the standing pose, the side light outlined the contour of the jacket and made the texture of the black stockings more delicate. Since it was inside a large venue, the metal trusses in the background and the distant crowds, after being blurred, instead formed an industrial feel full of atmosphere.

To maintain the best state at the anime convention, I tried to keep my posture upright even during breaks, not daring to lean casually against the chair back for fear that the jacket would get pressed wrinkles and affect the shooting results. From the time this outfit was put on in the morning until the shoot ended in the afternoon, although walking around was somewhat tiring, the process of communicating with the photographer and constantly adjusting poses and expressions was extremely fulfilling. We kept trying different angles during the shoot, and finally obtained these photos where both light/shadow and details are satisfying. Being able to present Amau Ako in this form and record the moments of this anime convention is a very unforgettable shooting experience for me.