[Raiden Shogun Cosplay] Behind-the-Scenes Shot of Musou no Hitotachi Under Inazuma Cherry Blossoms

When Musou no Hitotachi strikes down, a sky full of fluttering cherry blossom petals is probably the background that best matches this outfit. Take a look at this behind-the-scenes photo that was just sneak-peeked; I actually really like this casual, spontaneous vibe. This Raiden Shogun cosplay costume was quite heavy when I got it, especially the shoulder armor and the layered structure of the outerwear. The large train at the back, along with the red-and-white gradient belt and hemline, creates wonderful visual layers when worn. However, before putting it on, the hardest part was actually the wig. Because the character's long purple hair looks dignified, achieving the right flow of hair strands while coordinating with the headpiece took nearly half an hour of tweaking.

The heaviest prop was, predictably, the tachi sword. The sword's finish wasn't that cheap plastic reflection, but rather a matte metallic texture that felt heavy in hand, instantly getting me into character. The metallic paint reflected sunlight beautifully, but with the high center of gravity and the need to freeze a domineering pose before the lens, my muscles had to stay constantly tensed. My assistant kept asking if my arms were sore—and of course they were! But to recreate that intimidating aura, I had to hold on. On my side of the camera, I quietly gripped the hilt, imagining Inazuma City under the sunlight.

This Cherry blossom outdoor scene was specifically chosen under a cherry tree. On one hand, the tree had a huge canopy that framed the figure, and a low-angle composition perfectly portrayed Raiden Ei's lofty, inviolable stance. On the other hand, the pinkish-white cherry blossoms formed a strong visual contrast with the dark armor. I deliberately turned the side of my face toward the light so the edges of my purple hair caught highlights, making them look soft. It made me feel that this character isn't just an all-cleaving ruler, but also someone with things she desperately wants to protect—just as written in the description: "Traveler, let me protect you."

Many people shooting cosplay might easily fall into the trap of overly stern or bitter expressions. Though Raiden Ei is a deity, there's a focused awkwardness in her personality. So when taking photos, I tried not to raise my chin too high, opting instead for a more grounded, everyday look into the lens. Combined with the cherry blossom background, I felt the final result hit the mark nicely.

Behind-the-scenes photos are called that because they haven't undergone meticulous post-processing, skin smoothing, or background swapping. Sunbeams leak through gaps in the branches, leaving light spots on my face, and my hair is blown messy by the wind. But I feel this is the true charm of cosplay—it isn't always an immaculate poster; it's a person wearing that armor, holding the props, standing in that space, and authentically, earnestly becoming a portrait of another soul.

Without the stiffness of studio shooting or overly engineered poses, holding the sword over my shoulder, hand resting naturally on the hilt, body slightly turned, I imagined myself as the Raiden Shogun sitting before the throne. From this angle, both the upper-body presence and lower-body posture were balanced without feeling scattered. That's why I decided to release this picture first among the behind-the-scenes shots—as a share and a direct expression of respect for the character.

Overall, the biggest feeling from this shoot was exhaustion, but it was totally worth it. We are always chasing the most perfect makeup, outfit, and setting, but during those few minutes of actual shooting, those tiny details don't seem to matter anymore. I stood there as the wind blew and flowers fell, feeling as though I truly experienced the scenery in Raiden Shogun's eyes for a fleeting moment. Even the Musou no Hitotachi is driven by an obsession to sever erosion and loss, and that sentiment is truly moving.