[Marisa Kirisame Cosplay] Outdoor Shoot Record of Touhou Project Undefined Fantastic Object Style Magician

"If there's a treasure ship, of course there's treasure!" The true worth of this line from Undefined Fantastic Object can only be deeply felt once you've actually done this styling. Deciding to cosplay this Undefined Fantastic Object version of Marisa Kirisame stems not only from my love for Touhou Project but also from a desire to capture that lively, unconstrained, and slightly wild magician amidst these spiritually vibrant waters and mountains.

Speaking of this outfit, the hardest parts to deal with were actually the hat and the layers of the skirt. The lace and ribbons on the hat needed setting spray to maintain their stiffness so they wouldn't go limp. The black layer of the skirt underneath is made of thick velvet, which becomes extremely heavy once it touches water or dew, but to recreate that heavy texture, I just had to brace myself and wear it. The touch of cream-yellow on the apron paired with the brown squares on the side is precisely the biggest feature of the Undefined Fantastic Object design, making it highly iconic.

The lighting on the day of the shoot was incredibly supportive. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, adding a perfect natural rim light to the blonde hair. To embody her ethereal posture on the rocks of the stream, I actually maintained a single-leg standing pose in the flowing water for a long time. The flowing water itself serves as natural white noise, and combined with the slippery rocks underfoot, executing unconstrained movements in such an environment demands both slip-resistant soles and core strength. The white socks and black leather shoes are a classic pairing, which not only blends into this vintage fairy-tale color palette but also beautifully elongates the leg visuals when sharing photos.

During the shoot, the broom was indispensable. Although there were various action poses for combat, I personally prefer the feeling in the first picture—holding the broom with open arms to maintain balance, which represents the sense of freedom unique to Marisa. Exploring the camera angles of this dam with the photographer, although there is no real magic to fly up, with the help of photography composition, light, and shadow, it felt as if I were flying over the water's surface.

When it comes to Touhou Project cosplay, a lot of times it tests not just the refinement of the costume, but also the understanding of the character's personality. There is a very pure resilience in the character of Marisa Kirisame. People in the Anime cosplay world might see her as someone who steals books or items every day, but in reality, her dedication to magic and her bravery are far more worth showcasing. In the storyline of Undefined Fantastic Object, she is the core figure flying into the sky with the treasure ship. This cheerful and straightforward personality is perfectly suited for presentation in a real, natural outdoor setting.

Doing a stream outdoor location and dam shoot comes with many uncertainties. For instance, the makeup needs to be waterproof, the wig must resist humidity, and there's the worry of whether the skirt hem will flip up to reveal the underskirt when the wind blows or while walking. For this shoot, we scouted the location several times in advance, ultimately choosing this dam where the rocks are scattered in an orderly fashion and the water drop is even. This way, we could capture that dramatic layering without making the shoot difficult due to rapid currents. Standing on those rocks felt like walking on thin ice, but the final output was absolutely worth it.

Many people ask me what cosplay is all about. I think it's exactly because of these props and costumes that pursue perfection, this tranquil landscape of mountains and waters, and a photographer willing to jump around on rocks with me, that we can freeze those beautiful 2D moments into real-world images. Cosplaying this character felt incredibly healing for me, especially in this quiet, secluded valley with babbling streams and mottled shadows, making it feel as if I had truly become that magician flying freely in Gensokyo.

Although stepping on wet rocks with white socks and black leather shoes required being extremely careful to maintain the look and avoid getting dirty or slipping, at every single moment in front of the lens, I did my best to recreate that vibrant girl. Standing on the stone steps and lifting the broom, cluttered thoughts were washed away by the sound of the flowing water, leaving behind a focused joy. I am highly satisfied with the overall effect of this Undefined Fantastic Object shoot experience, whether in terms of material detail control or the match between the outdoor environment and the character, making it a worthy tribute to my love for anime.