Anime itself may have gone all-digital, but you can still use amazing practical effects as the finishing touch for your cosplay photos.
All you need is a couple of glow sticks, just like the kind used for wotagei otaku dances.
Get a bunch of sheets of clear plastic, tape them together, and then tape them to the palm of your hand, like this.
Another critical component, especially for action-heavy series, is the flashy special effects, such as energy barriers or shock waves emanating from a particularly powerful attack.