[Tsukishiro Yanagi cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero, Standing By! Convention Photos Shared

The Convention photos from this ICOS comic con have finally been organized, and I wanted to strike while the iron is hot and share my absolute favorite batch first. What drew me most to Tsukishiro Yanagi is that unique blend of cool, composed capability mixed with effortless elegance. For this makeup look, I deliberately lowered my brow arch, elongated the eyeliner, and paired it with round-rimmed glasses to capture a visual contrast of looking gentle yet showing zero mercy in a fight. The wig is crafted from custom high-temperature synthetic fibers in a pale pink hue, featuring braided pigtails at the tips. To accurately recreate that blue tasseled hair ornament, I assembled three distinct components, which fluttered dynamically in motion—something you can clearly spot in Photos 3 and 6.

The outfit coordination involved quite a bit of detail. The white shirt was chosen for its crisp, structured fabric that resists wrinkling, and the tie tightness was adjusted several times so it wouldn't obstruct my vision when looking down. The shoulder armor and the blue fabric straps on the back were custom-made by a tailor, with stiff interlining applied to the edges to keep their shape intact even during wide, sweeping movements. Details like the belt and leg loops couldn't be sloppy either; true metal buckles were used, adding a bit of weight but vastly improving the overall texture. The most brutal part was the large sword in hand, measuring nearly 1.4 meters long and carrying a substantial heft. To mimic the power behind the character's blade swings, I gripped it single-handedly throughout the shoot. While squatting or holding a side stance, my core had to remain completely engaged to steady my center of gravity. In Photo 1, the single-knee kneel pose actually had my thigh shaking, but I forced myself to hold it for several seconds for the camera.

The shooting location was set in the venue's lighting and shadow zone. Given the intense overhead lighting, the photographer brought two large softboxes to darken the background while accentuating the facial and Stockings cosplay textures. Speaking of the stockings, I opted for a semi-sheer flesh-toned compression style that casts a natural soft-focus reflection under flash lighting. Paired with black glossy high heels, this elongated my leg proportions. Squatting and lunging in such slender heels takes real courage, especially for the forward-stride action in Photo 5, where my instep was fully tensed and all my weight rested on one foot—my toes were totally numb afterward. Still, to capture that fierce yet steady combat posture, any exhaustion was well worth it.

The convention venue was packed with heavy foot traffic, and random passersby or reflectors kept drifting into the background. Thanks to rounds of coordinated clearing with my photographer, we managed to capture these relatively clean frames. Photo 2 was a deliberate request for a close-up leg shot, designed to highlight the extension from the shoe tips down to the ground, which created striking visual tension against the sword's shadow. The dynamic lowering-the-body sword stance in Photo 4 was actually a practice take for a "ready-to-charge" feint, with the sword tip pointing forward and a fierce glare in my eyes, though I instantly broke character and laughed out loud right after the shot.

As for props, this sword featured numerous intricate details—the ring patterns on the hilt and the black-and-white striped stickers were all hand-applied, sealed with an outer matte film to prevent fading. Although the grip area was slightly slippery and prone to slipping during swings, a few practice rounds helped me find the right leverage point. The standing single-handed glasses-adjustment pose in Photo 6 was actually a candid snap taken while the photographer was tweaking camera settings, yet it turned out much more natural than any deliberately struck pose. I personally adore that relaxed spontaneity.

The entire set of photos features minimal post-processing retouching, preserving real skin textures and fabric creases because I believe Convention photos should retain a sense of authentic realism. The charm of comic conventions lies in that down-to-earth vitality and the sudden flash of resonance with a character. I spent nearly a month preparing this makeup and costume—from trimming the wig to assembling the props, everything was done by my own hands. Though the process was grueling, the moment I saw the finished photos, the sense of accomplishment was immense. This batch mainly captures fluid standing and movement without overly exaggerated posing, staying closer to the character's inherent calm and composed demeanor. Finally, a huge thank you to the photographer for the candid shots and to the fellow fan on site who assisted with the lightstand, allowing these Convention photos to shine in their absolute best form.