A decade-long dream come true! The start of cosplaying Bayonetta was 'love at first sight'

——I see. What led you to do cosplay this time?

Theresia: I can sew a little, but due to the complexity of the costume and the difficulty of the guns, it took me 10 years from the moment I thought, "I want to cosplay!" to actually doing it. Meeting a photographer who can create costumes and props made it possible this time.

——Were there any particular points you focused on or difficulties you encountered in making the cosplay?

Theresia: I received advice from a fellow cosplayer who does Bayonetta cosplay, saying that sewing on actual chains would prevent you from bending your knees. So, I crocheted gold elastic into a chain pattern and sewed it on.

Even though I hand-sewed with elastic thread meant for knitwear, I couldn't take as many poses as I had hoped, and I still haven't fully recreated it during the shoot.

——This time, Ms. Theresia personally took on the task of retouching the photographs. Since Ms. Theresia is also a retoucher, could you tell us more about what your job entails?

Theresia: I do whatever I can within my capabilities. Sometimes I receive direct requests for gravure retouching from photographers, while other times I receive requests through X.

Originally, I graduated from an art university and have knowledge of drawing, and since I also work as a model myself, I can fix areas that I think "I wouldn't want this to show." I adjust them to what might look like "if I were in good shape," which is natural retouching. I also do more intense editing, like using distortions and extensions to make someone look more like an anime character, and even adding to the background.

On a side note, I had the opportunity to work on a segment for ABEMA's show 'New York Ren'ai Ichiba,' where I transformed male comedians into women for a theme that dealt with "Kakojyo" (processed cross-dressing).