[Exusiai the New Covenant Cosplay] Arknights' Laterano Red Appears at ChinaJoy 2026

The exhibition halls at ChinaJoy 2026 were bustling with crowds, and the glaring lights were almost dizzying, but the moment I changed into this look, my mind surprisingly settled down into a calm state.

This time, I prepared Exusiai the New Covenant cosplay from Arknights. The red wig was trimmed multiple times to balance fluffiness and volume, styled into two low twintails at the top to ensure it wouldn't get too messy while walking through crowds. The metallic necklace was heavier than expected; its silver surface cast a cool reflection under the venue's overhead lights, perfectly neutralizing the sweetness of the vivid hair color. To prevent oily glare under harsh lighting, I applied a matte base makeup, paired with ultra-thin eyeliner winged slightly upward, giving the eyes in the final shot an extra touch of coolness and confidence.

Speaking of details in this look, the weathered glove on the right hand was specifically treated with sandpaper and diluted acrylic paint to present battle-worn marks. Rather than a delicate dress, this slightly post-apocalyptic accessory better reflects the character's underlying personality. Once fully suited up, the black turtleneck top hugs the neck while the silver necklace hangs right around the collarbones, creating a golden ratio focal point visually.

On the day of the shoot at ChinaJoy 2026, the venue was stiflingly warm as usual; despite the air conditioning, the perceived temperature with tens of thousands of people present still caused sweat to subtly seep out. As a cosplayer who has attended many conventions, I long ago learned how to find my rhythm of breathing in crowded halls. That day, the hall resounded with loud music, stage audio, and live announcements; maintaining character presence in such an exceptionally noisy environment was a true test of focus. Leaning against a booth edge where crowds were slightly sparser, I tried my best to ignore the noise behind me and focus on framing in front of the lens.

Photographer @BerlinLadyBerlin was remarkably patient during Cosplay photography snapshots, and we found a shooting spot in a relatively quiet aisle mezzanine. To dodge the harsh direct overhead lights of the venue, I tilted my body slightly to shift angles, allowing the overhead light to outline the edges of my red hair just right. Bright red might look vibrant on screen, but in person, its reflectance is quite high; under ring lights, it easily overexposes if not managed properly. The photographer precisely controlled this light ratio, retaining the translucent luminosity of the red without blowing out the wig's intricate details.

The surrounding space was densely packed with visitors and exhibitors, yet I didn't feel restless at all. When portraying a character like Exusiai the New Covenant, I feel it shouldn't be as simple as just putting on the costume. Her lore embodies a light, agile, yet subtly arrogant flair—a raised eyebrow or a casual lift of the hand in front of the camera interprets this comic-book-like tension. Watching attendees with bags in hand and passionate gamers bustling past, this immersive atmosphere provided a unique kind of joy.

During photo retouching, seeing this photo of raising my hand to wave made me so glad that this slightly relaxed expression was captured. Many players commented that this picture felt very "Angel-like." In truth, I simply raised my hand at that moment, responding to a couple of shutter clicks from the photographer, naturally releasing a joy unique to anime conventions. Wearing a black turtleneck top and weathered gloves, standing amidst the crowd and looking back with a glance—these moments weaving daily life with 2D elements are precisely where the appeal of Convention photos lies.

Going through this trip at ChinaJoy 2026, I genuinely felt everyone's passion for Arknights' Exusiai the New Covenant. I hope everyone found their own joyful moments at this convention. Through this costume, I, too, left my own mark on this 2D festival.