Preparing for this photo set took quite some time, mainly pondering how to recreate Mai's calm, somewhat distant temperament. Choosing a bookstore as the shooting location was because its lighting and tranquil ambiance suit her character wonderfully. When trimming the wig, I deliberately left enough length; to achieve that natural, flowing strand effect seen in 2D anime, the hair tips were treated with a subtle inward curl. The bangs were kept light with airy volume so they wouldn't feel heavy, and the pink hairpin on her forehead was pinned after carefully aligning the angle to match the anime as closely as possible.
For wardrobe, I opted for the classic white shirt paired with a beige knit vest and a red tie. Selecting the shirt cut took a long time—it couldn't be too tight and rigid, nor too baggy and sloppy. Ultimately, I picked a fabric with a gentle drape that contours the body while retaining an authentic student aesthetic. The tie knot and length were adjusted multiple times to ensure a natural drape during high-angle and profile shots. The deep navy pleated skirt on the lower half has wonderful drape, creating a visual warm-cool contrast with the top.
The makeup aimed for a clear, natural finish. The base was applied lightly, focusing mainly on eye makeup. I used pale blue-gray contact lenses to adhere to the character design; the eyeliner extended gently along the eye shape without winging up too aggressively, preserving that calm gaze. A natural bean-paste rose shade was chosen for the lips to avoid a heavy cosmetic look. The most exhausting part of the entire shoot was that gesture pointing at the lens. To guarantee the perspective scale of the finger was accurate, the camera couldn't be too close or too far. I repeatedly tested the arm's extension angle to ensure the action felt powerful without looking distorted due to lens aberration.
During the shoot, I kept channeling the character's helpless yet subtly tsundere emotions from that scene. Reaching out toward the lens seems simple, but it demands precise coordination with the gaze—it shouldn't look menacing, yet must carry poise. The lighting from the bookshelves was abundant, with warm amber light strips forming soft halos in the background. I asked the photographer to utilize these lights as backlighting and rim lighting to carve out dimensional depth. The entire process was quite relaxed; rather than striking exaggerated poses, it was about immersing myself directly into that scene.
Bringing out this classic school uniform today still evokes the moving emotions from when I first watched Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai. What makes Mai so captivating is her independent, lucid, and composed demeanor, which was the exact expression I sought to capture throughout the shoot. Amidst countless modern styles, classic Japanese school uniforms still possess distinct vitality—especially attire that looks ordinary at first glance yet shines in subtle craftsmanship. I'm quite satisfied with how this set turned out; without extraneous embellishments, it simply conveys the character's core essence, serving as a heartfelt tribute to my love for Anime cosplay and this Senior female student cosplay.