December 16, 2024
GUNPLA Builders World Cup 12th Tournament’s Japan Finals and Awards Ceremony Photo Report! Carefully Crafted Masterpieces were on Display!
The world championship finals will be held at the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -FINAL- Tokyo venue on February 22, 2025!
▲U-14 Course 1st place: yuwa-c, U-20 Course 1st place: Hikonatsu, OVER-21 Course 1st place: FAgreen
The Japan Tournament Finals and Awards Ceremony to decide Japan's representatives for the official global GUNPLA championship GUNPLA Builders World Cup 12th Tournament (GBWC12th), a contest sponsored by BANDAI SPIRITS, was held on Saturday, December 14th at THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO.
GBWC12th has three courses: a U-14 Course, a U-20 Course, and an OVER-21 Course. Ten works from each course (a total of 30 works) moved on to the Japan Tournament Finals.
At the awards ceremony, the top three winners of each course and the winner of the Audience Award (voted by general users online) were announced. Ryota Kiyomiya, Jun Someya, and Naoya Kurihara, judges of the contest and members of the BANDAI SPIRITS Hobby Division Creation Department, gave their comments on the winning works.
This year, more applications were submitted to the U-14 Course than in previous contests. The works from the other courses also focused on details, worldview, and story creation, and the hosts of the ceremony Masami Kyogoku and Baron Yamazaki commented “Every work is a masterpiece that will make you want to carefully examine them."
Without further ado, let's take a look at the award-winning works, comments, and interviews with the champions.
The GBWC12th World Championship Finals will be held at the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -FINAL- Tokyo venue on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The finals are the highlights of every year’s contest and a place where masterfully crafted works gather in one place, so be sure to witness the outcome of this intense contest.
GBWC12th has three courses: a U-14 Course, a U-20 Course, and an OVER-21 Course. Ten works from each course (a total of 30 works) moved on to the Japan Tournament Finals.
At the awards ceremony, the top three winners of each course and the winner of the Audience Award (voted by general users online) were announced. Ryota Kiyomiya, Jun Someya, and Naoya Kurihara, judges of the contest and members of the BANDAI SPIRITS Hobby Division Creation Department, gave their comments on the winning works.
This year, more applications were submitted to the U-14 Course than in previous contests. The works from the other courses also focused on details, worldview, and story creation, and the hosts of the ceremony Masami Kyogoku and Baron Yamazaki commented “Every work is a masterpiece that will make you want to carefully examine them."
Without further ado, let's take a look at the award-winning works, comments, and interviews with the champions.
The GBWC12th World Championship Finals will be held at the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -FINAL- Tokyo venue on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The finals are the highlights of every year’s contest and a place where masterfully crafted works gather in one place, so be sure to witness the outcome of this intense contest.
U-14 Course
<1st Place> *Also a winner of the Audience Award
Title: Dear Nicol…
Builder: yuwa-c
Comment: The build quality of this work was outstanding to the point where the judges were perplexed and had to recall their memory of whether a PG Duel Gundam even existed. It can be inferred that the Builder thought of Yzak’s mindset in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, and this masterpiece portrays a scene that we wanted to see.
Title: Dear Nicol…
Builder: yuwa-c
Comment: The build quality of this work was outstanding to the point where the judges were perplexed and had to recall their memory of whether a PG Duel Gundam even existed. It can be inferred that the Builder thought of Yzak’s mindset in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, and this masterpiece portrays a scene that we wanted to see.
<2nd Place>
Title: On to the Next Target...
Builder: Jabuchi
Comment: Although it has a simple structure, you can immediately understand the story that the Builder is trying to convey, which makes it a masterpiece. GUNPLA are mass-produced products made with the same materials and textures, but this piece shows how different finishes can make diverse expressions.
Title: On to the Next Target...
Builder: Jabuchi
Comment: Although it has a simple structure, you can immediately understand the story that the Builder is trying to convey, which makes it a masterpiece. GUNPLA are mass-produced products made with the same materials and textures, but this piece shows how different finishes can make diverse expressions.
<3rd Place>
Title: Frontline
Builder: nana
Comment: Battlefields are a popular theme for dioramas, and making a piece with elements that stand out is the key to success. As the title "Frontline" suggests, the tension of the battle can be felt through this masterpiece. If you look closely, you can see details such as flying ammunition shells and puddles, making it clear that it was thoroughly crafted with care.
Title: Frontline
Builder: nana
Comment: Battlefields are a popular theme for dioramas, and making a piece with elements that stand out is the key to success. As the title "Frontline" suggests, the tension of the battle can be felt through this masterpiece. If you look closely, you can see details such as flying ammunition shells and puddles, making it clear that it was thoroughly crafted with care.
U-20 Course
<1st Place>
Title: Beyond・The・AXIZ
Builder: Hikonatsu
Comment: Making this piece must have been difficult since it is based on an iconic scene that represents the Sazabi. However, the main GUNPLA of this masterpiece was carefully crafted, and the surrounding hangar and lighting effects are astounding. The hangar is lit from above with LED lights, and its design allows light to enter from outside to create an overall effective display.
Title: Beyond・The・AXIZ
Builder: Hikonatsu
Comment: Making this piece must have been difficult since it is based on an iconic scene that represents the Sazabi. However, the main GUNPLA of this masterpiece was carefully crafted, and the surrounding hangar and lighting effects are astounding. The hangar is lit from above with LED lights, and its design allows light to enter from outside to create an overall effective display.
<2nd Place> *Also a winner of the Audience Award
Title: Return
Builder: kosei
Comment: It is difficult to express movements and soft textures with plastic model kits, but this piece masterfully captures both of these elements. The intensity of the approaching Rick Dom has been captured in a stunning way.
Title: Return
Builder: kosei
Comment: It is difficult to express movements and soft textures with plastic model kits, but this piece masterfully captures both of these elements. The intensity of the approaching Rick Dom has been captured in a stunning way.
<3rd Place>
Title: It's him, he's here!
Builder: Tomohack
Comment: The build quality of the diorama is excellent, and even details such as water and oil are reproduced with high resolution. It intentionally cuts out the moment where the GM explodes rather than the famous scene where it is pierced, making viewers feel the same emotions as the awestruck Earth Federation soldier muttering the title of this masterpiece.
Title: It's him, he's here!
Builder: Tomohack
Comment: The build quality of the diorama is excellent, and even details such as water and oil are reproduced with high resolution. It intentionally cuts out the moment where the GM explodes rather than the famous scene where it is pierced, making viewers feel the same emotions as the awestruck Earth Federation soldier muttering the title of this masterpiece.
OVER-21 Course
<1st Place>
Title: Regeneration
Builder: FAgreen
Comment: This piece grabs your attention when seen from afar, and draws you further in when you take a close look and realize how each of the parts are masterfully placed. Furthermore, the Moonlight Butterfly part in the background is not only carefully painted, but also incorporates the designs of various Gundams from the past, culminating in a masterpiece that allows you to experience the profound history of the Gundam series.
Title: Regeneration
Builder: FAgreen
Comment: This piece grabs your attention when seen from afar, and draws you further in when you take a close look and realize how each of the parts are masterfully placed. Furthermore, the Moonlight Butterfly part in the background is not only carefully painted, but also incorporates the designs of various Gundams from the past, culminating in a masterpiece that allows you to experience the profound history of the Gundam series.
<2nd Place>
Title: Sea Monster
Builder: Katori
Comment: Despite consisting of many parts from various GUNPLA, it has a sleek and streamlined silhouette. The judges were surprised and stated, "It looks familiar to pre-existing designs, but is somehow a completely new Mobile Suit that we’ve never seen before," making it a masterpiece that can be called a unique and original GUNPLA.
Title: Sea Monster
Builder: Katori
Comment: Despite consisting of many parts from various GUNPLA, it has a sleek and streamlined silhouette. The judges were surprised and stated, "It looks familiar to pre-existing designs, but is somehow a completely new Mobile Suit that we’ve never seen before," making it a masterpiece that can be called a unique and original GUNPLA.
<3rd Place> *Also a winner of the Audience Award
Title: Strike Gundam Spec II Forced Activation
Builder: Hideyuki Morita
Comment: The Strike Gundam, the hangar, and the explosion effects come together to create a realistic depiction. At first glance, it seems like this is the scene where the Strike Gundam is activated in the first episode of SEED, but it turns out to be the moment where the Spec II is being activated, making viewers wonder what kind of story will unfold and who its pilot is.
Title: Strike Gundam Spec II Forced Activation
Builder: Hideyuki Morita
Comment: The Strike Gundam, the hangar, and the explosion effects come together to create a realistic depiction. At first glance, it seems like this is the scene where the Strike Gundam is activated in the first episode of SEED, but it turns out to be the moment where the Spec II is being activated, making viewers wonder what kind of story will unfold and who its pilot is.
Champion Interviews
Q. Please tell us your age, the GUNPLA you used for your piece, how long it took to make, and what you especially focused on.
yuwa-c (1st Place in the U-14 course): “I am 11 years old and it took about 6 months to make my piece. I combined the PG Strike Rouge and Gundam Astray, and I used putty to create the parts, such as the face and knees, which are specific to the Duel."
Hikonatsu (1st Place in the U-20 Course): “I'm 20 years old. It took me 6 months to build the Sazabi and about 2 months to make the diorama, including the hangar. The Sazabi was built using almost the entire body of the MG Sazabi. I didn’t find any dioramas online depicting the scene where the Sazabi takes off, so I thought I'd try making one myself. The lights in the hangar are neither too bright nor too dark, and I decided to go with a bluish glow rather than warm hues. I put effort into the sections of the Sazabi that can’t be seen, and I spent a lot of time scribing the panel lines and adding details.”
FAgreen (1st Place in the Over 21 Course): “I am 22 years old and it took me about 4 months to build my piece. I used parts from about 40 to 50 different GUNPLA while using the MG Turn X as a foundation. I aimed to enhance its size to create a dynamic appearance, and especially put effort into painting the Moonlight Butterfly while using soft, curved lines.”
Q. What is the meaning behind the title of your piece?
yuwa-c: “I chose this title since it depicts a scene where Yzak tells Nicol that he has decided to join the battle.
Hikonatsu: “The ending theme song of Char's Counterattack is called Beyond the Time. Since this piece portrays Char's perspective and was based on the concept of 'Char taking off to create the world he envisioned,' I wanted to give it a title that conveys Char's thoughts, and decided on 'Beyond The AXIZ.'”
FAgreen: “Since the Turn X had self-regenerating features that allow it to change its shape, I chose the title 'Regeneration' to convey a Turn X that has been reborn into a new generation after being destroyed and revived countless times.”
Q. Please share your enthusiasm for the world championship finals.
yuwa-c: “I love Yzak and I worked hard to create my piece, so I hope to come in first place at the world finals.”
Hikonatsu: “The Japanese team hasn't won in recent years, so I hope my piece will be well received.”
FAgreen: “The works at the world championships are judged at extremely high standards, but I aim to win first place.”
yuwa-c (1st Place in the U-14 course): “I am 11 years old and it took about 6 months to make my piece. I combined the PG Strike Rouge and Gundam Astray, and I used putty to create the parts, such as the face and knees, which are specific to the Duel."
Hikonatsu (1st Place in the U-20 Course): “I'm 20 years old. It took me 6 months to build the Sazabi and about 2 months to make the diorama, including the hangar. The Sazabi was built using almost the entire body of the MG Sazabi. I didn’t find any dioramas online depicting the scene where the Sazabi takes off, so I thought I'd try making one myself. The lights in the hangar are neither too bright nor too dark, and I decided to go with a bluish glow rather than warm hues. I put effort into the sections of the Sazabi that can’t be seen, and I spent a lot of time scribing the panel lines and adding details.”
FAgreen (1st Place in the Over 21 Course): “I am 22 years old and it took me about 4 months to build my piece. I used parts from about 40 to 50 different GUNPLA while using the MG Turn X as a foundation. I aimed to enhance its size to create a dynamic appearance, and especially put effort into painting the Moonlight Butterfly while using soft, curved lines.”
Q. What is the meaning behind the title of your piece?
yuwa-c: “I chose this title since it depicts a scene where Yzak tells Nicol that he has decided to join the battle.
Hikonatsu: “The ending theme song of Char's Counterattack is called Beyond the Time. Since this piece portrays Char's perspective and was based on the concept of 'Char taking off to create the world he envisioned,' I wanted to give it a title that conveys Char's thoughts, and decided on 'Beyond The AXIZ.'”
FAgreen: “Since the Turn X had self-regenerating features that allow it to change its shape, I chose the title 'Regeneration' to convey a Turn X that has been reborn into a new generation after being destroyed and revived countless times.”
Q. Please share your enthusiasm for the world championship finals.
yuwa-c: “I love Yzak and I worked hard to create my piece, so I hope to come in first place at the world finals.”
Hikonatsu: “The Japanese team hasn't won in recent years, so I hope my piece will be well received.”
FAgreen: “The works at the world championships are judged at extremely high standards, but I aim to win first place.”
(GUNDAM.INFO Editorial Team)
Japan Tournament Final Results are Here!
GUNPLA Builders World Cup 12th Tournament Japan Finals and Awards Ceremony
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Venue: THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Venue: THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO
* This article was originally published in Japan. Availability & timing may vary by region.
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