[UMP45 cosplay] Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium Leva Tactical Style Shoot Log

For this official collaboration with Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium, I portrayed UMP45, also known as Leva.

On the day of the shoot, I reunited with a dear friend I hadn't seen in ages. She made a special visit to the set and kindly jumped in front of the camera to snap a few duo shots with me. Because my cosplay makeup was quite intense, she thoughtfully wore a face mask and glasses to avoid pulling focus; the result is exactly what you see—me leaning in close to this gorgeous girl for full-on fanservice, immortalizing a precious two-shot memory.

Regarding this UMP45 styling, we poured immense effort into both the wig and cosmetic execution. The ash-grey straight locks were layered and thinned underneath while keeping a blunt fringe, achieving an airy yet sleek silhouette that avoided looking heavy on camera. For eye makeup, we laid down an earth-toned neutral base paired with pale-green contact lenses; to capture her calculating, subtly dangerous composure, I deepened the outer corner contours with a slightly upturned cat-eye wing. The wardrobe centered on a washed-blue denim jacket whose crowning glory lies in the rear embroidery—depicting eagle and tiger totems packed with astonishing detail. Layered over a tailored white shirt, a bright yellow necktie, a brown leather choker, leather gloves, and sheer Stockings, the tactical aesthetic was instantly realized.

The shooting environment itself was incredibly atmospheric: we staged in a secluded corner of an abandoned derelict building. Peeling plaster walls and haphazardly stacked cardboard boxes formed a raw, decaying backdrop that provided high-impact contrast against her tactical styling. My friend stood by holding a phone to bounce fill light while we chatted away, keeping the set thoroughly relaxed. In the first shot, I rested my hand under her chin, and in the second, I flashed a playful wink toward the camera, aiming to freeze those charming gap-moe contrasts. While staying strictly in character is standard before the lens, having a close friend nearby let me unwind, capturing a much more organic, slice-of-life side of the character.

Truthfully speaking, a front-facing smartphone camera struggles to do justice to the on-set textures. The velvety finish of the base makeup, the crystalline clarity of the green contacts in natural daylight, and the dimensional relief of the denim jacket's embroidery were flattened significantly in mobile snaps. My friend kept remarking that my face looked remarkably petite in person and the makeup was tenfold more refined than what appeared on screen, as lens distortion always takes a toll.

Participating in this official Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium collaboration and donning this regalia was a uniquely special milestone. UMP45 is a character rich with psychological nuance, and stepping into her boots deepened my appreciation of her persona. From cosmetic test runs to final delivery, every phase was an invigorating blend of challenge and joy. I look forward to bringing more characters like this to life, and I am endlessly grateful to my friend for visiting the set and sharing the frame. Working alongside a great friend and capturing these joyful snapshots was easily the absolute highlight of the entire journey.