When putting on this Yixuan outfit, the first thing I noticed was the contrast between restrained composure and striking boldness. The large area of bright yellow jacket is visually impactful, but the golden ring totem on the collar and the heavy leather corset pull the character's tone back to a grounded, sophisticated style. The deep V-neck of the white inner top requires precise tailoring to fit, and combined with black leather gloves and knee-high boots with red stitching, the overall silhouette retains a sleek, xianxia-like crispness while remaining true to the techwear aesthetics of modern game design.
This shoot was conducted across two different settings: one was an outdoor industrial wasteland background made of concrete and wire mesh. For the first picture, a low-angle dramatic dynamic perspective was chosen. Holding up the round black bird prop under that setting, aligned with the mindset of the line "The evils of this world shall be extinguished by my hand," I sank completely into the cold, resolute mindset unique to the world of Zenless Zone Zero. The outdoor light was quite harsh, which perfectly outlined the reflective sheen of the leather and metal hardware, fully showing off the outfit's structured quality.
The other two studio shots chose a seamless pure white background, aiming to focus all attention on the character's facial expression and outfit details. In the second image, I held the little black bird on my palm; the wrist posture needed to stay relaxed while the fingertips maintained a subtle, gentle flex suitable for holding a living creature delicately. This allowed me to experience the contrast in a character who is a ruthless slayer of evil yet full of focus and gentleness toward spiritual creatures. The third picture is a close-up holding the yellow talisman paper. The red runes on the talisman echoed wonderfully with the red cords and tassels decorating the outfit. Amid these detailed adjustments, the clean lighting against the white background highlighted the silver-white luster of the wig and that imposing, dignified gaze between the brows.
Returning to the preparation work for this anime cosplay, there were actually numerous details. For example, the subtle patterns on the corset and the threading of the straps required repeated adjustments before shooting to ensure that when lifting an arm or turning sideways, the straps still hugged the body's curves smoothly without sagging. Furthermore, the metal rivets and buckles on the jacket were prone to blown-out highlights under strong light. During the studio shoot, I discussed with the photographer about lowering the key light intensity and using a softbox to sweep across the shoulders and arms, avoiding overexposure and preserving the original garment texture. This intentionally restrained lighting actually highlights the character's demeanor much better than harsh, overwhelming illumination.
Holding the black bird prop felt entirely different outdoors compared to in the studio. Holding it in the wind outdoors created an immersive feeling of standing in a ruined world alongside the character; whereas resting it in my palm in the studio made it look more like a real spirit creature, naturally drawing out a gentler side of the roleplay. The yellow talisman paper, another key prop, required my gaze to follow its direction rather than staring directly into the lens, capturing an effortless poise rather than a forced, awkward pose.
In portraying this character, I placed great importance on controlling my eyes and gaze. Yixuan gives me a strong sense of stability. Even clad in such a sleek battle outfit, holding a talisman ready to exorcise evil, her inner self remains completely calm. Therefore, I deliberately withheld any smile, using slightly lowered brows and a direct, piercing gaze at the lens to convey that resolute conviction of "I shall extinguish the evil."
The silhouette and fit of the clothing were also crucial for enhancing posture. The combination of a high-waisted corset, split hem, and tall boots significantly elongated my body proportions. In the third shot, I chose a slight side profile angle, which showcased the collar design while avoiding a rigid pose through delicate hand movements. The gloves fitted very closely at the fingertips, so even subtle finger curls created great lines, allowing me to handle various poses effortlessly.
This shoot gave me a deeper understanding of Yixuan's appearance and inner spirit. From the intricate stitching of the costume to the feel of specific props, and the choice of lighting across different settings, every element worked together to bring out distinct atmospheres in the final photography sharing. I hope this set of photos with three layers of emotion brings everyone into the Zenless Zone Zero world as I see it.