[Okita Souji Cosplay] The Haori Has Finally Arrived, Chasing Dreams Under the Cherry Blossoms in Fate/Grand Order

This set of photos was taken outdoors in early spring. The key to this outdoor shoot was that I finally found a Haori kimono with the perfect texture and color accuracy (I've really been waiting for this outfit for quite a while). Coupled with the photographer @Mirrow's precise control over the scene's light and shadow, the final images are very transparent overall, without an overly heavy post-processing feel.

For the costume, I chose a pure white base kimono paired with a turquoise-green shawl. This cool-toned color clash looks exceptionally clean under the light. The deep red long hakama on the lower body comes with its own subtle textures, presenting wonderful light and shadow on the folds when walking. Combined with the black leather hand guards, the overall warrior style was firmly established. The wig part features short white hair, with the tips trimmed relatively thin; the hair strands appear distinct under the outdoor light without any greasy feel.

The red-sheathed tachi is the core prop of this frame. The wrapping rope details on the hilt are incredibly rich. When standing or walking while holding the sword, the red sheath creates a wonderful color contrast with the green grass. To express the character's agility, several sets of movements like half-closed eyes and holding the sword sideways were specially designed. Combined with the moment the wind lifted the shawl, I am very satisfied with the captured dynamic effects.

Out of the entire set of photos, my personal favorite is P4. The photographer specially picked a slightly low-lying grass slope and used a low-angle shooting technique. In the frame, the fully bloomed pink cherry blossoms serve as both the foreground and background, acting like a natural picture frame. The sunlight hits from the upper diagonal, producing a very beautiful circular flare. This slightly backlit haziness and the overall cool-toned atmosphere remind me of a vast and open, world-detached artistic conception similar to Ghost of Tsushima, which perfectly fits the pure and resilient nature revealed by the character in the story.

The shooting location was in a cherry blossom forest in the suburbs. Spring cherry blossoms bloom for a very short period. The weather was exceptionally good that day; although there was strong sunlight, with the help of the surrounding tree shade and diffused light, the face still maintained a soft three-dimensionality without creating any harsh "yin-yang face" split shadows. To find the best camera position, the photographer practically lay flat on the grass, which resulted in the low-angle perspective seen in the pictures.

Daily maintenance of props and coordination with the set design are also very important. Midway through the shoot, the tsuba (handguard) of the red-sheathed tachi loosened slightly, but fortunately, it was repaired in time with tools on site. Additionally, walking up and down the slopes repeatedly is quite a test of physical strength. The skirt hem and shawl fluttered wildly in the wind, and keeping the shape and layering of the clothing in a natural state required repeatedly adjusting my stance. However, it is precisely this torturous process that ultimately captured that unforced, lifelike snapshot feeling.

The biggest reward from this set of photos is validating the high integration of costume, makeup, and props. From fabric color schemes to prop styles, almost every detail leans closely toward the original design. Although outdoor shooting is affected by many weather interference factors, when encountering a good environment and lighting, combined with sufficient preparation beforehand, the final texture is usually much more vivid than studio shooting. This outdoor scene under the cherry blossom trees just happened to lock the character's coldness and decisiveness inside the lens.

After finishing this set of photos, I am even more determined to do more outdoor shoots. The display of characters under natural light has more warmth than I imagined, and combined with the background environment, it can maximize the atmospheric photography feel of the character. I hope I can encounter such a wonderful cherry blossom season again in the future.