[Ibuki Suika cosplay] Touhou Project: Photoshoot Record of an Oni Girl

For this Ibuki Suika styling from Touhou Hero of Ice Fairy, the main prep focused on the horns with purple ribbons and the choker. Given Suika's classic character details, the outfit was coordinated around a purple kimono paired with red-and-black stripes.

On the day of the shoot, I set aside preparation time, but unexpectedly forgot the headpiece featuring the large horns and purple ribbons during the last-minute makeup rush before heading out. Looking into the mirror at the studio, something felt missing. With no time to return and fetch it, I had to push forward with the shoot. Fortunately, the set was wonderful—the traditional Japanese room, paper lanterns, and wooden floors perfectly matched the character lore in this Japanese style cosplay.

The shoot was primarily done as mirror selfies while holding the camera. Aiming to replicate the exact posture of the acrylic standee beside me, I adjusted my seating stance, bending my legs slightly to expose my ankles and tying on red cords. To evoke an authentic barefoot aesthetic, stepping onto the wooden floorboards with that slight cool touch helped me immerse deeper into the mood. A thick iron chain and an orange sphere prop were placed on the floor to heighten visual tension and prevent the scene from looking plain.

We explored numerous angles, ultimately picking this low-frontal close-up. The leg contours accented by the red cords, combined with the slightly opened kimono neckline, showcased the Oni girl's languid and unrestrained aura. The 2D standee placed alongside allowed a direct comparison of accuracy. Because it was a selfie with the camera held at chest height, framing both the torso and legs added layered depth.

The biggest challenge during shooting was maintaining facial expressions while holding the camera single-handedly and ensuring the ankle knots didn't loosen. The face covering was added later to prevent unauthorized reposts on platforms, which ironically directs more focus to the costume recreation and prop textures. Under studio lighting, the purple fabric complemented the dark horns with striking three-dimensional pop.

The entire shoot took about two hours. Compared to complex full-body prosthetics, this outfit was relatively easy to wear and ideal for mirror selfies. To align with the Oni girl lore, I applied reddish contour and eyeshadow; lacking the horns, I relied on makeup and expressions to carry the character's aura. Post-processing preserved the ambient lighting with minimal filters, clarifying fabric textures and ankle ties. This embodies how cosplay balances faithful recreation with a natural, comfortable aesthetic.