As noon approached, the temperature at today's venue skyrocketed, with the heat index reaching at least 36 degrees Celsius. Combined with the stifling heat inside the anime convention hall, it felt like being trapped in a steamer. I had originally planned to stay in the hall all day for photoshoots, hall walking, and interacting with fellow fans, but as afternoon drew near, a wave of intense dizziness washed over me. Realizing my body was on the verge of impending heatstroke, I had to change out of my cosplay costume early for safety. To leave no regrets, right after taking off my coat and some heavy accessories, while my eye makeup and overall look were still intact, I quickly took this set of photos as a genuine record of today's journey.
A lot of thought was clearly put into the details of this costume—the white and light blue fabrics paired with black crisscross leather straps, combined with golden star-shaped metal emblems and purple beaded accents on both sides, making the visual look sharp and cool. However, because of these elaborate Cosplay costumes, makeup, and props, it practically turned into a heat amplifier during a high-temperature session in summer indoors. The leather straps clung tightly to my collarbone and neck; walking just a few steps caused beads of sweat to trickle down my back, and the sticky feeling of sweat-soaked clothing fibers clinging to the skin was excruciating. The large blue and white prop on my left side had a finely painted gradient surface, but its weight, combined with the blistering heat, required core strength to stabilize the center of gravity for every pose. Holding it up for extended periods was a massive test of stamina.
As for the wig, the silver-white gradient tips were indeed dreamy, but its heat-trapping nature was completely exposed today. The inner cap of the wig became dripping wet with sweat, and the heavy bangs stuck to my forehead, forcing me to blink carefully so sweat wouldn't run into my eyes. To recreate the character's expression, I wore purple contacts, but my eyes quickly became dry and sore in the hot and dry indoor air, requiring frequent artificial tears to keep my vision clear. For makeup, I specifically chose waterproof eyeliner and foundation for this extreme weather, but as soon as I sweated, the foundation still became somewhat patchy. Maintaining a fresh face at an anime convention felt like an endless tug-of-war.
In fact, the moment I felt dizzy and lightheaded, my brain had already sent a clear warning. Forcing yourself to ignore the warning signs of impending heatstroke can lead to severe consequences. In such situations, you must never push through with a mindset of 'I'm already here anyway.' Fortunately, I had prepared enough electrolyte drinks in advance and replenished them in time at the rest area, which helped ease the dizziness. The original intention of doing cosplay is love and recreating characters, but definitely not at the expense of one's health. Although leaving early today meant missing out on the afternoon hall walk and photos, and there is a bit of regret in my heart, that regret is nothing compared to actual health issues.
Taking advantage of this early exit experience, I'd also like to remind my fellow cosplayers: summer anime conventions are truly a test of both physical strength and willpower. Especially when the convention venue's air conditioning isn't working well or when it's overcrowded, wearing full gear for an entire day is a massive burden. It's best to carry a handheld or neck fan, apply cooling wipes under your clothing, and replenish salt and electrolytes at all times. If props are really heavy, try to lift them only when necessary for photoshoots, and ask companions to help carry them while walking around the hall.
Although my body wasn't at its best when taking these photos, I still wanted to capture soft lighting and natural emotion as much as possible. Changing out early didn't leave me feeling down; instead, it gave me a clearer perspective on how to better plan for the next shoot. Washing these leather accessories and wig after returning home and looking back at the ordeal I endured today, I feel it was actually an interesting experience. After all, authentic experiences are the most valuable. Regardless of whether I left early, being able to stubbornly present all my preparations when it was hot enough to melt is already the best tribute to my passion.