This time, I took on Yachiyo cosplay, Sakayori Iroha cosplay, and Kaguya cosplay from Cosmic Princess Kaguya!—a two-hour rapid selfie challenge that proved to be quite an exhilarating test (2D Vision Project). Starting off by slipping into Yachiyo's short purple hair and beast ears, adjusting my demeanor in front of the mirror, the blue contact lenses and red bindi dot on my forehead quickly brought the character's defining traits to life. The black leather straps and metal buckles of the costume were quite heavy; to project a sleek, sharp yet slightly tsundere demeanor before the lens, I repeatedly adjusted the tightness of the shoulder straps.
Next came Sakayori Iroha's styling. Switching into blonde hair and a red kimono-style top, flashing peace signs while seated on the floor, I realized this character radiated far more bubbly, lively charm. To capture her trademark genki energy, I put extra care into facial expression management—applying heavy blush and experimenting with crouching stances and cheek-poking poses for the camera (Sakayori Iroha cosplay).
Kaguya's white twin buns styling was the final one completed. The silvery-white wig needed to be styled with fluffy, layered volume; paired with the crimson outfit, standing alongside Iroha created a striking chromatic contrast (Kaguya cosplay).
For the shooting location, we selected a traditional Japanese set styled with cherry blossoms, shoji sliding doors, and tatami mats, where wooden lanterns and crane-motif folding screens added rich ambiance. However, indoor lighting was somewhat chaotic; to wrap shooting and costume changes for three characters within two hours, we had to maximize the use of available natural light and fill lights efficiently. I opted for a wide-aperture lens to blur the background cherry blossoms and gilded decor, highlighting the subjects while preserving the layered textures of the traditional backdrop.
Partnering with my fellow cosplayer, we helped each other tidy wigs and wardrobe, with selfie sticks and phone tripods serving as our primary gear. Despite the tight schedule and many shots being split-second candid captures, it ended up preserving the effortless, organic chemistry between the characters. For instance, the two-shot of us flashing peace signs was caught spontaneously while casually chatting.
Regarding makeup, to keep it from looking overly exaggerated on camera, the foundation was kept as clean as possible, focusing on crafting the atmosphere through eyeliner and blush. Winged eyeliner paired with large-diameter contact lenses enhanced that translucent, vivid 2D character essence. Hair styling was also tailored distinctly to each role—the sharp layering of the purple hair, the sleek drape of the blonde locks, and the airy fluff of the white hair; these details made all the difference in overall accuracy.
Finally reviewing the photos, seeing Yachiyo's aloof elegance, Iroha's playful charm, and Kaguya's ethereal cool clashing within the same shoot made the whirlwind two-hour schedule feel completely worth it. Though exhausting, the results brought great satisfaction—a heartfelt tribute to Cosmic Princess Kaguya! and our 2D Vision Project.