[Kanade Tachibana cosplay] Angel Beats! Chengdu Worldline ACG Expo Photoshoot Return

I finally found time to sort out the photos from the Chengdu Worldline ACG Expo. Preparing for this Kanade Tachibana cosplay took quite a while—from taking on the project to finalizing the fabrics and props, it took about half a month. To faithfully recreate Kanade Tachibana's classic look from Angel Beats!, I specifically adjusted the tailored fit of this beige uniform. For the purple patchwork on the collar and cuffs, I selected a fabric with subtle woven textures, which paired with the ruby brooch at the neckline and the long straight silver-white wig to bring out the complete visual aesthetic. It also took visiting several haberdashery shops to find the silver buttons in just the right size.

The pair of white wings on my back required the most thought. To perform well under the night lighting of the convention, instead of plush fur materials, I chose this origami-inspired design with geometric facets. When hit by evening spotlights, the folded edges cast distinct, sharp reflections, offering far greater three-dimensional depth than in daylight. Walking around the convention hall with such massive wings was truly a test of balance—especially when crossing thresholds and navigating stairs, I had to be constantly vigilant not to let the wings brush against passersby or walls.

The weather on the day of the Chengdu Worldline ACG Expo was quite pleasant, but the shooting environment at the convention was undeniably challenging. The venue was crowded and the ambient lighting was chaotic. To capture a clean, dark evening backdrop, the photographer and I specifically located a relatively open area, using flash combined with subtle city ambient light to suppress the background and make both the character and wings pop. When posing, I kept recalling Kanade Tachibana's personality traits. She is a girl of few words whose emotional expression is deeply reserved, so the movements could not be overly dramatic. Therefore, I designed several subtle postures: lightly holding the edge of a wing with one hand, clasping hands before my chest, and that final pose with clenched fists—all intended to convey her state of outward serenity paired with deep inner conviction before the camera. In terms of gaze, I tried to let my eyes drift slightly vacant without exaggerated expressions when looking at the lens, preserving the quiet aloofness of a kuudere girl.

As for the hair, maintaining the smooth drape of the long straight silver wig required thorough preparation the day before. The wig had to be soaked and washed with conditioner, treated with anti-frizz spray, combed smooth, and placed on a wig stand to set. In terms of makeup, the focus was placed on contouring the eyes, pairing red contact lenses with reddish lower eyeshadow to deepen the melancholic, ethereal presence of the character. Wearing this outfit on-site was actually quite warm since the jacket is fully lined, and combined with the noticeable weight of the wings, it quickly drained my energy. However, to preserve the visual appeal on camera, I still had to maintain good posture and avoid slouching at all times.

During post-processing, I focused on fine-tuning the color grading—lowering the background saturation, enhancing skin brightness and contrast, and preserving the cool-toned ambiance of the night. The true charm of convention event photos lies in their authenticity and sense of presence; although there were some light flares in the background, pairing them with falling particle effects added in post-production further enhanced the ethereal mood. It was also wonderful to run into fellow fans at the expo who recognized the character; hearing people call out her name made all the hard work completely worthwhile. That's all for this photo share with @烤碳. If you have any questions about crafting wing props or shooting night photos at conventions, feel free to reach out anytime.