Sunako Kirishiki Cosplay Guide: Recreate the Elegance of Shiki’s Gothic Girl
There’s something hauntingly beautiful about Sunako Kirishiki from Shiki. With her Victorian-inspired fashion, doll-like gaze, and quiet intensity, Sunako is one of anime’s most quietly captivating characters. As the enigmatic child-like leader of the Shiki, she’s both unsettling and sympathetic—a compelling figure to embody for cosplayers who love a blend of gothic elegance and eerie charm.
Whether you’re drawn to her poetic speech, her tragic past, or her striking visual aesthetic, cosplaying Sunako is all about the details: pale beauty, dramatic shadows, and timeless style. In this guide, we’ll help you bring her to life with costume tips, wig styling, EyeCandys colored contact lenses, and semi-cured gel nail stickers for the perfect finishing touch.
Dress the Part: Sunako’s Gothic Lolita Wardrobe
Sunako’s fashion blends Victorian modesty with classic gothic lolita elements. Her clothing is symbolic of her identity—delicate, timeless, and just a little out of place in the modern world.
Here’s what you’ll need:
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Victorian-Style Dress
A black or deep navy dress with long sleeves, a high collar, and plenty of lace trim. Look for modest hemlines that hit below the knee and incorporate subtle ruffles or layers.
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White Petticoat
Adds a voluminous silhouette beneath the dress and provides visual contrast—Sunako is often seen with just a bit of white peeking out from her skirt.
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Stockings or Tights
Choose white for innocence, or black for a more dramatic effect. Knee-high or full-length options both work well.
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Mary Jane Shoes or Flats
Stick to simple, classic styles—closed toe, rounded front, ideally with a strap across the top.
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Optional Accessories
A black ribbon choker, lace gloves, parasol, or even an antique-style book can elevate the look and create storytelling opportunities for photoshoots.
Wig Styling: Simple, Symmetrical, and Striking
Sunako’s hairstyle is neat and childlike: a shoulder-length bob with full, straight bangs and softly curled ends.
Wig Tips:
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Color: Jet black or a dark plum-purple (depending on your inspiration from the anime vs. manga visuals).
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Cut: Full bangs across the forehead with ends slightly curled inward.
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Finish: Glossy and smooth, without layering—Sunako’s hair is always immaculately tidy.
This minimalist hairstyle makes her large eyes and pale features even more striking—so don’t skip a quality wig.
Eyes of the Shiki: Contact Lenses That Elevate Your Look
Sunako’s most defining visual feature? Her wide, hypnotic eyes. They’re the first thing people notice—and one of the most important details for an accurate cosplay.
Recommended Contact Lens Shades:
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Deep Crimson or Blood Red Lenses
These perfectly capture her supernatural nature and echo the Shiki aesthetic. Great for dramatic impact in photos or under low light.
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Circle Lenses in Red or Violet
Circle lenses enlarge your iris for a doll-like effect that mirrors Sunako’s eerie innocence.
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Soft Violet or Magenta Hues
For a softer interpretation, pink-toned lenses can evoke her emotional depth and rare vulnerability.
EyeCandys offers all of these colors in both prescription and non-prescription versions, so no matter your vision needs, your cosplay can stay immersive and expressive.
Makeup for a Haunting Beauty
Sunako’s beauty is subtle, pale, and otherworldly. Her look walks the line between elegant and ghostly—so your makeup should, too.
Here’s how to create her look:
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Base: Go for a porcelain finish—cool-toned, pale foundation with light contouring. Avoid heavy bronzing.
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Eyes: Use soft purple or pink shadow across the lids with darker accents in the crease. Keep eyeliner low and soft to round out the eye shape and add sadness to her expression.
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Brows: Lightly arched and delicately filled to match your wig.
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Blush: Apply a faint dusting of rose-pink on the apples of your cheeks to mimic the anime’s watercolor-style shading.
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Lips: Choose a rose pink or soft berry tone with a slightly blurred edge to mimic her gentle, vintage aesthetic.
Optional: To create a more eerie look, contour around the eyes with soft greys or add shimmer under the lower lash line for a tearful glint.
Gothic Nails in a Flash: EyeCandys Gel Nail Stickers
Sunako wouldn’t be complete without beautifully gothic nails to match her ensemble—and EyeCandys’ semi-cured gel nail stickers make it effortless to achieve the look.
Try These Nail Styles:
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Color Options: Deep wine, dusty lilac, matte black, or ghostly whites.
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Designs: Look for subtle lace patterns, cracked glass effects, or celestial/gothic motifs.
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Shapes: Soft almond or oval nails work best for an elegant, ladylike finish.
These stickers apply in minutes and cure under an LED lamp for long-lasting wear—perfect for conventions or photoshoots where you need a look that lasts.
Props & Atmosphere: Building the Vibe
Sunako’s presence is more than her appearance—it’s also her stillness, her symbolism, and her setting. Enhance your cosplay with simple props that build the mood:
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Antique Doll: Reflects her eternally youthful yet eerie character.
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Vintage Book: A nod to her introspective, poetic side.
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Candlestick, Cross, or Coffin-Style Backdrop: For dramatic photography inspired by gothic horror.
Location matters, too. Consider a graveyard, forest at twilight, or shadowy interior for your photoshoot to evoke the spirit of Shiki.
Performance Tips: Become the Shiki
Sunako is a masterclass in quiet intensity. Her power is in her stillness, her sorrow, and the way she speaks volumes with few words.
Channel Her Through:
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Body Language: Keep gestures slow, hands folded or resting calmly. Avoid modern fidgeting or smiling.
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Expression: Her gaze should be both curious and melancholic. Use your eyes to carry emotion.
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Movement: Deliberate and measured. Every step and turn should feel intentional, almost weightless.
Her aura is that of someone caught between worlds—forever young, forever haunted.
Bonus: Clear Contacts for Glasses-Wearers
If you typically wear glasses, don’t worry—EyeCandys offers clear prescription contact lenses that let you maintain visual clarity while staying true to Sunako’s aesthetic. No need to sacrifice accuracy for comfort. And if you're cosplaying a character who does wear glasses, EyeCandys also carries stylish, character-inspired frames to complete your look.
Share Your Gothic Look
Are you stepping into Sunako’s shoes for your next con or photoshoot? We want to see your transformation. Tag @eyecandys in your cosplay photos to show us your version of the Shiki's most memorable character.
Looking for more cosplay inspiration, lenses, and gel nails? Head to our [Cosplay Resource Center] to explore even more guides and products to support your next transformation.
Sunako may be a creature of the night, but her look is timeless—delicate, eerie, and unforgettable. With the right details and a little EyeCandys magic, you can bring her haunting beauty to life.







