Frieren : Beyond Baguio's End

How does it feel to pull off an out-of-town cosplay shoot?

Maybe we’ve found the answer, because we actually journeyed all the way from the city to the north, just to bring our Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End cosgroup to life. 

We chose Baguio, a city in the Philippines known for its pine trees, misty air, and forest-aesthetic spots; the perfect setting for an adventure anime like Frieren.

To be honest, this was our very first time doing an out-of-town shoot so everything felt like a first-hand adventure. From the smooth part to the little hurdles, every step was something we were figuring out for the first time yet somehow, it all became memorable, and every moment ended up being a special part of the ride.

We actually planned this photoshoot just about a month before the shoot date, so it was a mad dash to get everything ready in time. From ordering costumes overseas (and paying extra for air freight just to make sure they’d arrive quickly), to carving out extra time to craft all the prop weapons we needed, it was definitely a scramble. It was even more intense for Gaj, our Himmel cosplayer, since he didn’t order his costume at all and he made the entire thing from scratch.

Unlike our usual photoshoots in the metro, this one came with a whole new set of preparations; we had to book accommodations, prepare for a 6 to 8-hour trip, and make sure we were already in Baguio a day or at least several hours before the shoot. With all the planning and travel involved, there was barely any room left to rest in between.

The accommodation truly felt like a blessing. We had a go-to transient house in Baguio that we could book anytime, thanks to one of our friends who personally knew the owner. It was tucked away in a quiet residential area where transients are rare, yet still close to the city proper which made it super convenient for us.

There were only six of us, so the place felt extra comfy and spacious. The house had two bedrooms with plenty of beds, a cozy living room, and a kitchen we could actually use. It gave off such a warm, homey vibe like we were on a little group getaway instead of prepping for a full cosplay shoot.

As I recall, our photoshoot was scheduled on a Saturday, so the plan was to leave the city by 11 PM on Friday night. That meant we’d arrive in Baguio around 5 or 6 AM on Saturday morning. With the shoot set for 1 PM, that left us with maybe 3 to 4 hours of sleep and 2 to 3 hours to prep: makeup, costumes, wigs, and everything else in between.

Yes, you read that right, this is usually the only amount of sleep a cosplayer gets when doing a shoot far from home, whether it's still in the city or completely out-of-town. Prep time always eats up the hours… literally. So if you’re planning your own out-of-town shoot someday, make sure to organize your schedule well and give yourself enough time to rest. You’ll need that energy not just to look good, but to actually enjoy the experience, too.

Fast forward to photoshoot time. We chose Camp John Hay as the location for our Frieren cosgroup. And if you’ve watched Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, you’ll definitely get why. The pine trees, the soft grass, the serene forest vibe; everything about it felt like we had stepped right into the setting of the mage exam arc. (In fact, we’ve already mentally bookmarked Camp John Hay for another cosplay plan… but that story’s for another time, and another blog 😉)

Here are some of our selfies and behind-the-scenes snaps from the shoot!
Just a heads up, we were majorly sleep-deprived at this point, so I honestly have no idea where we were pulling all that energy from. 😅

Me cosplaying as Ubel. Shot taken in our transient house.

Group Photo

Group Photo

Group Photo. And my boyfriend as Sasuke because he's supposed to be Land but we cant find any costume.

Selfie with Frieren

Selfie with Fern.

Selfie with Stark

Selfie with Himmel

Stark mimicking the funny Valentines Day meme 🤣

The photoshoot was such a memorable experience for me not just because of the cosplay, but also because of Baguio’s chilly weather. Despite the cold, we felt surprisingly comfortable… and bonus: our makeup actually stayed intact! There was even a bit of fog that day, which made the whole atmosphere feel dreamy and almost fairytale-like the perfect mood for cosplaying an adventure-themed anime like Frieren.

I’d always love to go back to Baguio for another cosplay shoot. Even though we were outdoors and walking around the whole area, there was no sweat at all, just that cool breeze and the quiet magic of being in cosplay. It truly felt like we could just breathe and enjoy the moment.

Below is the output of our Frieren cosgroup photoshoot : 

The whole squad

Crisan as Himmel

Ivu as Stark

Apen as Frieren

Me as Ubel

Mira as Fern

And of course, we’ve got something for the Frieren fans who are into the ships too~ 

Frieren and Himmel

Stark and Fern

Honestly, everything about this shoot felt so dreamy not just because the photos turned out beautifully, but because my friends truly poured their hearts into bringing their characters to life. And deep down, I hoped that same effort showed in mine too.

Übel wasn’t actually part of my original cosplan. I agreed to be Übel because I thought it would be amazing to complete this out-of-town cosgroup, and because Übel is so different from any character I’ve ever cosplayed before. She wasn’t on my radar at all, which made her the perfect challenge for me to grow and try something new.

I hadn’t even watched Frieren yet when they invited me to cosplay Übel so I had to quickly catch up on the anime in the month leading up to the shoot. And it didn’t help that Übel only made her debut in episode 18, so I really had to set aside time just to get to know her character.

Übel was a challenge for me not just in terms of personality, but makeup too. This was actually the first time I had to try multiple techniques just to achieve her signature droopy eye including layering several strips of eyelid tape on my lids. Yup… several. 😅

But in the end, it was all worth it because I think I was able to capture even just a glimpse of Übel’s sly, cunning personality and mysterious aura in these photos.

Me cosplaying Übel

Me cosplaying Übel

After the shoot, we returned to our transient only to be greeted by a power outage. And oddly enough, out of everything that happened that day, this is the part that engraved itself the most in my heart and memory.

Because there was no electricity, we decided not to stay inside. Instead, we walked all the way to SM Baguio. The entire city was dark and even the streetlights were out. We walked side by side down those dim roads, guided only by the soft glow of our phone flashlights. We could barely see a yard ahead, but it didn’t matter. It was the sound of our voices, the warmth of knowing we were together, and the laughter we shared that lit the path more than anything. Looking back, it was probably just a 15-minute walk. Short, maybe, but it left a lasting imprint on my heart.

When we got to SM Baguio, we bought ingredients for our dinner  and it was Gaj, our Himmel, who took over the kitchen (by the way, he studied culinary! Haha). That night was filled with our usual late-night talks, tired laughter, and the kind of peace you only get after a day well spent.

I remember finally falling asleep around 3 AM. Still sleep-deprived, yes... but completely content. 😌

On our way back to the city, there was one last unforgettable moment. While traveling along the winding mountain roads of Baguio, a thick fog began to cover both sides of the road.

It might’ve been a little dangerous, sure but it was also breathtaking. And the fact that I got to experience that quiet, ethereal moment with my friends made it all the more special.

That’s when I realized that the heart of this out-of-town cosplay photoshoot wasn’t just the costumes or the photos. It was getting to spend time with my friends, doing something we all love.

There’s something surprisingly therapeutic about traveling with the people who share your passions. Sure, we were exhausted from the prep to the actual shoot (and oh, we forgot to mention… Gaj even lost his prop sword right before we started 😅). But in the end, we pulled it off.

And through it all, this trip became more than just a cosplay project it was a little escape from real life.

It’s kind of like that overwhelming warm feeling Frieren gets whenever she sees another statue of Himmel in the places they once traveled. Something tender. Something nostalgic. The kind of warmth that quietly settles into your chest; soft, and comforting in ways you don’t fully expect.

That’s what this trip felt like to me. And maybe that’s the real magic of cosplay with friends, not just becoming characters for a day, but creating memories that stay with you… like little statues in your heart.

Poster-like output from the shoot

So how does it feel to pull off an out-of-town cosplay shoot?

Tiring but deeply satisfying.

And the real reason it feels satisfying isn’t just because of the photos or the characters we bring to life. It’s because we get to share the experience with people we genuinely love being around.

So if you’re planning your own out-of-town shoot, here’s my little advice:
Do it with the right people. The kind who make you forget how tired you are. The kind who make you laugh over the little hiccups; like losing a prop sword but still pulling the character off anyway, or putting on absurd layers of eyelid tape just to get the look right.
Small, silly things that somehow end up being your favorite memories.

And maybe… through these cosplay travels, you’ll realize what truly matters and what pieces of the journey you want to carry with you Beyond Journey's End.