[Yutori Natsu Cosplay] Blue Archive's Yuanxiao (Glutinous Rice Balls) Festival: Big Moon Paired with Tanghulu

For this Yuanxiao (Glutinous Rice Balls) Festival, I specially chose a modified Qipao look with traditional Chinese elements to cosplay Yutori Natsu. When preparing the props earlier, I thought that since I'd be eating tanghulu and carrying a flower lantern, I might as well use that huge moon prop in the background. The resulting photos turned out to unexpectedly fit the atmosphere of "lanterns meeting the full moon night."

The long pink hair paired with white plush headwear, along with the red-and-white ruffled cuffs, gives an overall visual that has both the character's playfulness and the warm tones proper for the festival. The biggest challenge during the shoot was actually balancing all those scattered little accessories—holding the tanghulu in my left hand, holding a small lantern or a fan in my right hand, while maintaining a dynamic pose standing on one leg. It was definitely a test for my core strength. However, seeing the crystal-clear reflections of the tanghulu and the matte texture of the moon in the final photos made all the adjustments completely worth it.

The tailoring of this outfit is very form-fitting. The combination of the mermaid hemline and black over-the-knee stockings elongates the leg lines, and the white high heels made the stance more stable. The indoor lighting mainly used warm-toned side-rim lighting, making the transition between the wig's gradient pink and the costume's cherry blossom pink natural, while keeping the skin texture quite transparent. During retouching, I didn't over-smooth the skin, trying my best to preserve the layers in the shadows so that the textures of the wooden screen and window frames could bring out the character's three-dimensional presence. The Yuanxiao Festival is originally a day of reunion and bustle. Presenting a traditional solar term in a form that carries a bit of an anime aesthetic is like a little surprise for myself and the audience. I hope everyone can feel that relaxed and cheerful festive atmosphere through this set of photos and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this night.