Bringing together a six-member group for this Arknights Carnival was an unforgettable cosplay journey. From locking in the roster to making our appearance at the expo, the entire process was filled with seamless synergy among friends. Our group featured Closure cosplay, Ch'en cosplay, Amiya cosplay, the Doctor, Wang, and Angelina. To ensure everyone's costume accuracy reached the highest standard, we began discussing costume silhouettes and textile details two months in advance. For example, for Closure's orange bandana, we combed through multiple fabric markets to find the ideal cotton-linen texture, and the beaded ornaments adorning her waist were hand-strung together during our team meetups. The leather vest and dark-toned horn ornaments for Ch'en cosplay also demanded immense effort; to achieve a solid, resilient texture on the horns, we tested and adjusted the primer coats and gloss levels multiple times.
Amiya's bunny ears and the Doctor's white hood/cap were key focal points of our preparation. The bunny ears required an internal wire armature to keep them upright without adding excessive weight, which would otherwise strain the neck during long shoots. We also spent considerable time researching the weathered distressing effects on the Doctor's coat. From Wang's dark horns and sweeping robe to Angelina's tail and fox-ear accessories, every single detail was continually refined through group discussions.
On the day of the Carnival, we found a wall with a clean, uncluttered background to set up. Although the venue was bustling with foot traffic, the moment we slipped into shooting mode, everyone immediately brought their most dedicated focus. Everyone calibrated their postures and expressions, striving to match the relaxed, joyful warmth depicted in the official key visual. Straightening each other's wigs and collars fostered an endearing sense of mutual camaraderie. We even printed out the official promotional artwork and staged a side-by-side comparison on-site; seeing the real us in the top frame alongside the exquisite official art below sparked a thrilling resonance that bridged dimensions, leaving us ecstatic for ages.
As I mentioned before, what a profoundly happy Carnival six-member group! This happiness stems not merely from the final photo results, but from the process of pursuing a shared passion with cherished friends. I have always believed that I will keep doing cosplay with my friends for a lifetime—that is by no means an empty slogan. In everyday life, we are all busy with our respective studies and work; finding time to rehearse, test makeup, and shoot together is exceedingly rare and precious. Yet whenever everyone strikes their character poses in front of the lens in perfect harmony—whether it's the horns catching sunlight or cloaks billowing in the breeze—you can genuinely feel the characters springing to life.
'Cosplay until the earth turns into a sour lime' is perhaps the purest wish shared by countless fans. Throughout this journey, we are not simply donning costumes; we are expressing our deep connection and interpretation of the world of Arknights. Every cosplay shoot is a brand-new challenge, testing not only our mastery of crafting and styling, but also our grasp of character psychology. Standing before the camera, I am no longer just myself, but that spirited, charismatic character. The Carnival venue was immense, and navigating the halls in heavy, layered attire was exhausting yet intensely fulfilling. Passing by exhibitor booths, many fellow Doctors recognized us and greeted us warmly. Even while eating boxed lunches in the rest area, we were enthusiastically debating which camera angles worked best, standing right back up the next moment to tidy our outfits for the next round. Everyone poured their heart into this group, creating a cohesive bond that no solo cosplay could ever replace. If opportunities arise, we will definitely unlock more character ensembles in the future. Come blazing sun or pouring rain, indoors or outdoors, as long as we stand together and keep doing cosplay, all those late nights refining props and the drowsiness of early-morning makeup sessions will transform into our most radiant smiles in the final frame. Stripped of superficial embellishments, simply stepping into the real world alongside dear friends as beloved characters is a memory that will resonate for years to come.