Last weekend, I shot this Zenless Zone Zero Tsukishiro Yanagi set outside Anime Star City. The outdoor light feels quite different from an indoor studio shoot, and combined with the environmental elements on-site, it better highlights the character's capable and calm aura.
To restore the character well, the styling mainly focuses on the iconic features of pink short hair and thin-rimmed glasses. The facial makeup is kept as close to the character's cool tone as possible, avoiding heavy eyeshadow and focusing on a natural daily style that brings out the eyes. Clothing details are the highlight: a pure white long-sleeved shirt as a base, a black bow tie at the collar, and an outer layer featuring a custom tactical vest and corset structure, adorned with metal rivets, buckles, and hanging accessories on the chest and back. The black skirt uses an irregular cut, and the four metal buttons on the side, along with the hanging straps on both sides, all needed careful adjustment for positioning.
Because the character has a 'tech otaku saves the world' setting, I felt more immersed while shooting, imagining as if I were executing a high-secret mission. Although the weather was a bit hot last weekend and the ground outside Anime Star City had some seams and textures, I still wore those heavy tactical boots to match the character's sci-fi tactical style. While they felt a bit clumsy, they definitely added weight to my overall body proportions visually.
The photographer on-site conceived a plan for smoke and lightning special effects in post-production, so when posing, I specifically put my weight on one leg, one hand casually resting on the round glasses, and the other on my waist, wanting to present that feeling of Tsukishiro Yanagi being seemingly peaceful but ready for battle at any time. The contrast between the white shirt and black belt under natural light was excellent, and the final shots look even more three-dimensional than expected. Since we were shooting in a public space, inevitably passersby watched with curiosity, which is a real connection brought by anime cosplay culture. This interaction from the reality scene is a reason why I love outdoor shoots. The outfit also features tactical straps and an ID card as detailed decorations; although these small accessories occasionally snagged the clothes during shooting, it is precisely these details that distinguish it from ordinary uniform outfits.
For this cosplay, I wasn't just wearing clothes and props, but experiencing a state of this character in a parallel world. The logistical support from my friends at the scene, helping organize the wig and worrying about the stability of the equipment, significantly improved the efficiency of this outdoor shoot. The lightning effects surrounding me in the final photos and the smoke at my feet gave this set a strong visual impact. With the combination of outdoor shooting and post-production, I created a moment belonging to this character at the junction of two-dimensional and three-dimensional worlds. I feel this weekend's shooting experience and results were a satisfying attempt at restoring the character, and I share them with friends who also love this type of tactical tech style.