At the Dongguan Songguo Comic Exhibition, my friends Ziyue, Helloguagua, and I teamed up for a twin-character Zhen Hai cosplay from Azur Lane. The black-and-white twin concept was an absolute eye-catcher at the venue, drawing a crowd of photographers to stop and shoot. We've finally compiled the photo set!
First, let's talk about the concept behind the styling. White Zhen Hai, portrayed by Ziyue, goes for a cool, ethereal, and subtly sharp aesthetic. The white mini-dress features intricate black cloud patterns and jacquard details, complemented by a wide white choker with metallic hardware for a strong structural look. The headpiece consists of a white feather headband paired with straight black hair and blunt bangs, delivering a visual clash of classical and modern aesthetics. The detachable white sleeves are trimmed with black edges, and when combined with lace-trimmed black thigh-high socks and white strappy high heels, the look delivers striking visual tension in a convention hall setting. The black folding fan in hand serves as the perfect finishing touch, adding dynamic energy to White Zhen Hai's presence.
On the other hand, Black Zhen Hai, played by Helloguagua, channels an entirely different aura centered around mystery and elegance. The black sheer dress incorporates a traditional Chinese mandarin collar, accented at the neckline with a gold-and-white tasseled floral brooch with superb detail. A large black flower with drooping tassels sits beside the hair, lending a rich narrative feel to the character. The signature elements of Black Zhen Hai include the black lace sleeves that contrast sharply with the sheer fabric on the bodice. The black translucent chiffon skirt hem is patterned with butterflies, creating immense charm. Paired with a black tights outfit and black high heels, the look elongates the leg lines, achieving a flawless symmetrical aesthetic in the black-and-white composition.
Regarding the venue at the Dongguan Songguo Comic Exhibition, the hall was exceptionally spacious with high ceilings, and the reflections from the pillars and polished floor were ideal for full-body shots. Many professional photography setups were present—such as the massive black-and-yellow softboxes behind us and flash rigs set up by various photographers—infusing the convention with an intense photography atmosphere. This open, expansive venue provided natural lighting that flattered our gradient and sheer fabric details, fully showcasing our silhouettes and the fine craftsmanship of the costumes.
From a cosplayer's perspective, we dedicated a lot of effort to Zhen Hai's hair and makeup. Trimming and styling the wigs took considerable time, particularly shaping the bangs and side locks to flatter our face shapes while maintaining the character's iconic silhouette. For makeup, we steered clear of overly exaggerated stage looks in favor of a radiant, luminous base paired with sharp eyeliner and delicate lips to capture the character's signature composure and elegance. Although walking in high heels and wearing heavy wigs for hours was tiring, seeing how authentically we captured the character in the final shots made every bit of effort worth it.
Interacting with photographers on the show floor was another highlight. Many veteran photographers approached us to shoot, offering fresh ideas on lighting and composition for a black-and-white duo. For example, during shots where we held fans facing each other or posed in staggered stances, the photographers guided us on angling our shoulders and necks so that the lines of the fans harmonized with our outfits—nuances that truly shine in the final edits. Navigating a bustling convention hall, we experimented with varied positioning to avoid cluttered backgrounds, using staggered spacing to add depth and allow the camera to catch the flow of the skirts and leg lines.
Overall, cosplaying Twin Zhen Hai was a fantastic experience. Azur Lane's Zhen Hai is not only gorgeously designed, but the black-and-white pairing opened up endless creative possibilities for our duo shoot. We are thrilled with the convention photos we curated—they reflect our practice and makeup efforts while capturing real-time convention vibes. They perfectly realized the character in our hearts, and we are immensely grateful to all the enthusiastic photographers who captured and recorded the day for us.