March 29, 2023
Interviews with the GUNPLA Builders World Cup 10th Tournament U-14 Course Winner Liu HaoWen and U-20 Course Winner Feng ZheKai!
The builders share the concepts of their masterpieces and future prospects!
We received interviews with the winner of the U-14 Course Winner Liu HaoWen and the winner of the U-20 Course Feng ZheKai who participated in GUNPLA Builders World Cup (GBWC) 10th Tournament, the official international GUNPLA competition held in 2022.
In the interviews, the builders share the concepts of their models, stories from during their building processes, and their future prospects regarding GBWC.
Incidentally, this year’s GBWC was the first competition held in three years, and is the competition’s tenth tournament. Amongst a large number of entries from creators from over fifteen countries all over the world, Feng ZheKai’s “-THE LAST ZEON-” of the U-20 course, Liu HaoWen’s “Trails of New Type” of the U-14 course, and Manson Ng’s “Fragments of a Star” of the OVER-21 course, all stood out from the pack.
Check this article to read the interview with the OVER-21 course winner Manson Ng.
In the interviews, the builders share the concepts of their models, stories from during their building processes, and their future prospects regarding GBWC.
Incidentally, this year’s GBWC was the first competition held in three years, and is the competition’s tenth tournament. Amongst a large number of entries from creators from over fifteen countries all over the world, Feng ZheKai’s “-THE LAST ZEON-” of the U-20 course, Liu HaoWen’s “Trails of New Type” of the U-14 course, and Manson Ng’s “Fragments of a Star” of the OVER-21 course, all stood out from the pack.
Check this article to read the interview with the OVER-21 course winner Manson Ng.
Interview with U-14 Course Winner Liu HaoWen
Q: Please tell us about the theme and main points of your piece.
I've always loved the anime from the Gundam series, especially the episodes about Newtypes. I love the various Gundams that appear in anime, the cool explosions, and the intense scenes. Therefore, I combined all of my favorite things for this model.
I've always loved the anime from the Gundam series, especially the episodes about Newtypes. I love the various Gundams that appear in anime, the cool explosions, and the intense scenes. Therefore, I combined all of my favorite things for this model.
Q: How much time did you alot for the conceptualization and creation of your piece?
It took about half a year to complete this model.
I realized that cotton balls look like smoke from explosions, so I came up with the idea to use them for explosion effects. I recreated my favorite explosion scenes as close to their anime depictions, placed three Gundams, and added other models as props.
It took about half a year to complete this model.
I realized that cotton balls look like smoke from explosions, so I came up with the idea to use them for explosion effects. I recreated my favorite explosion scenes as close to their anime depictions, placed three Gundams, and added other models as props.
Q: Please tell us why you decided to participate in this year's competition.
I wanted to test my plastic model kit making skills, so I took on the challenge to see how well I would do. What’s more is that this year's GBWC is the 10th competition, and I'm 10 years old, so I thought it would be a good opportunity.
I wanted to test my plastic model kit making skills, so I took on the challenge to see how well I would do. What’s more is that this year's GBWC is the 10th competition, and I'm 10 years old, so I thought it would be a good opportunity.
Q: Please tell us how you got into plastic model kit making. Were there any memorable moments throughout your building experiences?
I started when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I've watched my father and teachers build plastic model kits for a while, so I naturally fell in love with them. Once they both realized that I was interested, they began teaching me how to make them. I am very grateful to my father and teachers. I also received a lot of advice from them for this project.
I started when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I've watched my father and teachers build plastic model kits for a while, so I naturally fell in love with them. Once they both realized that I was interested, they began teaching me how to make them. I am very grateful to my father and teachers. I also received a lot of advice from them for this project.
Q: What does GUNPLA mean to you?
GUNPLA are handmade works of art. This model I made is the culmination of all my efforts.
GUNPLA are handmade works of art. This model I made is the culmination of all my efforts.
Q: Now that you’ve won, I’m sure that other GUNPLA builders will start to admire you. What are your future prospects and what do you think about GBWC?
Winning this contest has made me want to win more. In a few years, I will be able to participate in other courses, so I want to win those and dominate all of the courses… But maybe I'm being too cocky(laughs).
Winning this contest has made me want to win more. In a few years, I will be able to participate in other courses, so I want to win those and dominate all of the courses… But maybe I'm being too cocky(laughs).
Interview with U-20 Course Winner Feng ZheKai
Q: Please tell us about the theme and main points of your piece.
I diverted from the original settings of Neo Zeong, which moved using a Mobile Suit as its core unit, and began building this model with the concept of a super-large Mobile Armor that can move by itself.
I diverted from the original settings of Neo Zeong, which moved using a Mobile Suit as its core unit, and began building this model with the concept of a super-large Mobile Armor that can move by itself.
Q: How did you come up with this concept?
Zeon Mobile Armors have extremely unique designs, and I wanted to challenge the perception of the original Neo Zeong, which functioned as an external unit, and give it a monster-like impression like the other Zeon Mobile Armors.
Zeon Mobile Armors have extremely unique designs, and I wanted to challenge the perception of the original Neo Zeong, which functioned as an external unit, and give it a monster-like impression like the other Zeon Mobile Armors.
Q: This year's tournament was held online. Did you put extra thought during the photographing, selection, production, or submission process?
I think photo submissions are able to capture the appeal of the artist's expressions more than offline selections, but I don't think it will fully convey the size of the models. Therefore, when creating and shooting my GUNPLA, I focused on painting methods and compositions that would make the size of it stand out as much as possible.
Q. What is your favorite Gundam series and why?
I like Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt and Gundam Build Fighters. These two series take place in unique worlds that are different from conventional titles, but they embody the core elements of Gundam and GUNPLA, and are works that have had a great influence on me.
I think photo submissions are able to capture the appeal of the artist's expressions more than offline selections, but I don't think it will fully convey the size of the models. Therefore, when creating and shooting my GUNPLA, I focused on painting methods and compositions that would make the size of it stand out as much as possible.
Q. What is your favorite Gundam series and why?
I like Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt and Gundam Build Fighters. These two series take place in unique worlds that are different from conventional titles, but they embody the core elements of Gundam and GUNPLA, and are works that have had a great influence on me.
Q: Please tell us how you got into plastic model kit making. Were there any memorable moments throughout your building experiences?
I think I made my first plastic model kit 10 years ago. However, I was only able to simply assemble it and play around with it at the time. I started painting and customizing them around 2019, and I won a prize at the China International Cartoon & Game Expo in 2020, which really encouraged me to build, and I quickly learned a lot about plastic model kit making.
I think I made my first plastic model kit 10 years ago. However, I was only able to simply assemble it and play around with it at the time. I started painting and customizing them around 2019, and I won a prize at the China International Cartoon & Game Expo in 2020, which really encouraged me to build, and I quickly learned a lot about plastic model kit making.
Q: What does GUNPLA mean to you?
They are toys, but they are worth taking seriously. They are full of endless possibilities and you can explore the world of GUNPLA to your heart's content.
They are toys, but they are worth taking seriously. They are full of endless possibilities and you can explore the world of GUNPLA to your heart's content.
Q: Now that you’ve won, I’m sure that other GUNPLA builders will start to admire you. What are your future prospects and what do you think about GBWC?
I’m already working on models that are to be submitted to the 2023 and 2024 competitions, and I’m adding my own unique touches to them. I hope to continue to grow alongside my models and to see more talented builders participating in GBWC.
I’m already working on models that are to be submitted to the 2023 and 2024 competitions, and I’m adding my own unique touches to them. I hope to continue to grow alongside my models and to see more talented builders participating in GBWC.
*This article is a liberal translation based on an interview.
The next GBWC is to be held. Fans are very excited. More information about the 11th GBWC will be released soon. Please look forward to the announcement.
(Gundam Info Editorial Team)
U-14 Course Winning Entry “Trails of New Type”
Title: Trails of New Type
Builder name: Liu HaoWen
Area: Mainland China
[Judge comments]
A spectacular piece that combines multiple completed models. The parts on each model have been carefully crafted and painted, and the idea of displaying multiple Mobile Suits was brilliant.
Builder name: Liu HaoWen
Area: Mainland China
[Judge comments]
A spectacular piece that combines multiple completed models. The parts on each model have been carefully crafted and painted, and the idea of displaying multiple Mobile Suits was brilliant.
U-20 Course Winning Entry “- THE LAST ZEON -”
Title: - THE LAST ZEON -
Builder name: Feng ZheKai
Area: Mainland China
[Judge comments]
This model uses the HG Neo Zeong as its base, and although its dynamic presence cannot be conveyed through photos, it has been crafted with care despite its massive size. In addition, it was painted to express its actual size and scale, which became the decisive factor in winning the championship.
Builder name: Feng ZheKai
Area: Mainland China
[Judge comments]
This model uses the HG Neo Zeong as its base, and although its dynamic presence cannot be conveyed through photos, it has been crafted with care despite its massive size. In addition, it was painted to express its actual size and scale, which became the decisive factor in winning the championship.
GBWC11th to be held!
Further details will be released at a later date!
Stay tuned for future updates.
Stay tuned for future updates.
* This article was originally published in Japan. Availability & timing may vary by region.
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