These two Onmyoji 10th Anniversary-related outfits were worn by Byakuya Mashiro and me on the first day of this World Line Anime Convention. To make it in time for the morning entry, we got up at four in the morning to start our makeup and styling, and organizing the wigs and hair ornaments took longer than expected. I wore a dark-toned robe featuring large gold embroidery and blue-and-white ribbons, with tassels hanging from the waist; the overall texture was quite heavy and substantial when worn. My partner wore a white-and-blue coordinated set, complete with a pair of fluffy animal ears and a draped white veil, creating a very lively and dynamic visual effect.
While wearing the veil looked great in photos, it actually restricted visibility while walking, especially in crowded convention halls, so the two of us basically relied on mutual reminders to dodge people. To better showcase these outfits, we scouted out quite a few corners in the venue for framing. Because the skirts were quite long, we had to hold them up with our hands whenever going up and down stairs or passing through corridors, fearing we might step on them and trip. During a break, we lifted our veils to get some air, and many fellow enthusiasts in the backstage area came over to ask for photo ops; everyone was very friendly. The atmosphere for Onmyoji's 10th anniversary was truly strong, and we ran into many fans in the venue, exchanging thoughts on costume details and prop crafting. Doing cosplay with so many accessories and layered fabrics is a test of both physical strength and patience. To ensure the shooting effect, I practiced gestures and positioning in front of the mirror beforehand, hoping to capture the texture of this outfit. When we finished work and packed up, we were exhausted, but seeing the final photos made all the effort feel completely worth it.
During the actual shooting session, because the color schemes of these two outfits leaned dark and featured very eye-catching gold decorations and blue ribbons, we tried to choose places with strong light penetration when looking for backgrounds, such as the outdoor area outside the venue or corridors with natural light filtering through. Dark clothes easily absorb light, and without proper lighting, the delicate hidden patterns and gold embroidery on the costumes would blur together. As someone who frequently does cosplay, I am quite sensitive to multi-layered structured garments, especially the metal-textured accessories on me, like the wing-shaped gold device on the chest which swayed when walking and required periodic adjustments to ensure it didn't shift. My partner's white-and-blue outfit photographed wonderfully in well-lit areas, but white tends to overexpose, so we tested several sets of camera parameters. The texture of the veil was very light and thin, fluttering at the slightest breeze; we had to control the wind direction and trajectory during the shot to capture that natural draped feel. During the middle break, we checked each other's makeup and whether the costumes had loosened anywhere. This kind of duo convention experience is quite interesting; doing it alone might leave you flustered, but with two people, you can cover for each other—retouching makeup, holding props, and adjusting positions become much more convenient.
Behind the final photos of every cosplay lies a massive amount of preparation work. From the order of putting on and taking off the costume, to combing and setting the wig, to the posing posture for holding props, every step requires advance planning. Especially at large conventions like the World Line Anime Convention, the massive crowds on the first day inevitably bring all sorts of unexpected situations. For instance, a prop buckle might suddenly come loose, or ribbons might get tangled, requiring a quick scramble to find a quiet corner by the sidelines to fix things. We gained quite a bit of experience this time around, such as bringing plenty of safety pins and double-sided tape, and learning how to quickly find a relatively clean shooting background amidst the bustling crowds. At this special milestone of Onmyoji's 10th anniversary, being able to meet everyone in this image has truly been a fulfilling experience. The atmosphere in the venue was warm, and seeing other enthusiasts' dedicated costumes made us feel everyone's love for this IP. When packing up to leave, although my shoulders ached slightly from the heavy outfit, my mind was already reviewing which angles didn't turn out well today and which actions could be optimized next time. This process of continuous adjustment and experimentation is probably what makes cosplay so addictive. Once I go back and finish editing the photos, I'll probably organize these details nicely to keep as a memento.