February 22, 2025
Unique and Creative Masterpieces from All Over the World! GUNPLA Builders World Cup 12th Tournament World Championship Finals and Awards Ceremony Report
GBWC13th will also be held!
▲U-14 Course Champion Dic Dic Chai, U-20 Course Champion ZHANG JUNHUI, and OVER-21 Course Champion WU JINGMING
The World Championship Finals and Awards Ceremony of the GUNPLA Builders World Cup 12th Tournament (GBWC12th), the official GUNPLA world tournament sponsored by BANDAI SPIRITS, was held on Saturday, February 22nd at GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE FINAL in TOKYO.
The 12th GBWC had three courses open to participants of different ages: the U-14 Course, the U-20 Course, and the OVER-21 Course. A total of 44 pieces moved on to the world finals (12 pieces from the U-14 Course and 16 pieces from the U-20 Course and OVER-21 Course).
The top three winning masterpieces from each course were announced at the awards ceremony, and the judges provided comments.
The event was hosted by Masami Kyogoku and Maxwell Powers, and LINKL PLANET made an appearance during the opening act performing their new single "Mune Ni Itsumo GUNPLA Wo," which will be released on Wednesday, March 19th.
Without further ado, let's take a close look at the winning masterpieces and comments and interviews with the champions.
The masterpieces of the world tournament finalists will be exhibited at GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE FINAL in TOKYO until Monday, February 24th, and all winning works will be on display at THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO until late March.
Furthermore, it was announced that GBWC13th, the next tournament, will be held, so be sure to check out this report and prepare to participate.
The 12th GBWC had three courses open to participants of different ages: the U-14 Course, the U-20 Course, and the OVER-21 Course. A total of 44 pieces moved on to the world finals (12 pieces from the U-14 Course and 16 pieces from the U-20 Course and OVER-21 Course).
The top three winning masterpieces from each course were announced at the awards ceremony, and the judges provided comments.
The event was hosted by Masami Kyogoku and Maxwell Powers, and LINKL PLANET made an appearance during the opening act performing their new single "Mune Ni Itsumo GUNPLA Wo," which will be released on Wednesday, March 19th.
Without further ado, let's take a close look at the winning masterpieces and comments and interviews with the champions.
The masterpieces of the world tournament finalists will be exhibited at GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE FINAL in TOKYO until Monday, February 24th, and all winning works will be on display at THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO until late March.
Furthermore, it was announced that GBWC13th, the next tournament, will be held, so be sure to check out this report and prepare to participate.
U-14 Course
Champion
Work: Camouflage
Artist: Dic Dic Chai
Area: Hong Kong
Comment: It can’t be a coincidence that the tournament finals were held on the same day as the release of the HG Z'Gok (SEED FREEDOM Ver.), and that a Builder was able to swiftly turn the popular MS into this masterpiece. It is meticulously crafted and painted, even up to the inner sides of the Z'Gok’s armor that is flying off, making it a truly impressive piece.
Work: Camouflage
Artist: Dic Dic Chai
Area: Hong Kong
Comment: It can’t be a coincidence that the tournament finals were held on the same day as the release of the HG Z'Gok (SEED FREEDOM Ver.), and that a Builder was able to swiftly turn the popular MS into this masterpiece. It is meticulously crafted and painted, even up to the inner sides of the Z'Gok’s armor that is flying off, making it a truly impressive piece.
2nd Place
Work: Dear Nicol...
Artist: yuwa-c
Area: Japan
Comment: We were surprised that it perfectly depicts what a "PG Duel Gundam" would look like, and the original parts are also masterfully crafted. The diorama expresses Yzak's feelings for Nicol, culminating in an emotional piece that evokes melancholy.
Work: Dear Nicol...
Artist: yuwa-c
Area: Japan
Comment: We were surprised that it perfectly depicts what a "PG Duel Gundam" would look like, and the original parts are also masterfully crafted. The diorama expresses Yzak's feelings for Nicol, culminating in an emotional piece that evokes melancholy.
3rd place
Work: "Happy farm"
Artist: GUNDAM3795
Area: Thailand
Comment: Although this masterpiece features a Beargguy, it is especially noteworthy that it has a twist where it depicts a farm village theme grounded in reality instead of a sparkly, dreamy concept. The weathering applied to the corrugated metal roof is skillfully executed, and the objects are radially placed to create an eye-catching piece that was meticulously crafted.
Work: "Happy farm"
Artist: GUNDAM3795
Area: Thailand
Comment: Although this masterpiece features a Beargguy, it is especially noteworthy that it has a twist where it depicts a farm village theme grounded in reality instead of a sparkly, dreamy concept. The weathering applied to the corrugated metal roof is skillfully executed, and the objects are radially placed to create an eye-catching piece that was meticulously crafted.
U-20 Course
Champion
Work: God of Kungfu
Artist: ZHANG JUNHUI
Area: Mainland China
Comment:
Parts from various GUNPLA have been mixed and matched in a well-balanced manner to recreate the five machines in 1/100 scale, including ones that are yet to be released from the MG series. They each have expressions that seem like they could appear in a fantastical story, which allowed this masterpiece to become the champion.
Work: God of Kungfu
Artist: ZHANG JUNHUI
Area: Mainland China
Comment:
Parts from various GUNPLA have been mixed and matched in a well-balanced manner to recreate the five machines in 1/100 scale, including ones that are yet to be released from the MG series. They each have expressions that seem like they could appear in a fantastical story, which allowed this masterpiece to become the champion.
2nd Place
Work: Beyond・The・AXIZ
Artist: Hikonatsu
Area: Japan
Comment: In addition to the contrast between the 20m-tall robot and human beings, the cool colors are especially effective, expressing the Builder’s unique sense of beauty.
Work: Beyond・The・AXIZ
Artist: Hikonatsu
Area: Japan
Comment: In addition to the contrast between the 20m-tall robot and human beings, the cool colors are especially effective, expressing the Builder’s unique sense of beauty.
3rd Place
Work: Armoured Devil, Engage!
Artist: Vulcan Gunpla
Area: Malaysia
Comment: The base of the diorama has been tilted to emphasize the Barbatos' dynamic pose. It's fascinating to see that a Builder from the U-20 course has mastered this technique to create a masterpiece with such momentum.
Work: Armoured Devil, Engage!
Artist: Vulcan Gunpla
Area: Malaysia
Comment: The base of the diorama has been tilted to emphasize the Barbatos' dynamic pose. It's fascinating to see that a Builder from the U-20 course has mastered this technique to create a masterpiece with such momentum.
OVER-21 Course
Champion
Work: UNDER CONTROL
Artist: WU JINGMING
Comment: The craftsmanship and painting techniques put into the Mobile Suit are impressive, and its spatial layout has been well thought out. The manipulator hand is used as a base, boldly conveying the Builder’s aim to materialize the idea in their mind.
Work: UNDER CONTROL
Artist: WU JINGMING
Comment: The craftsmanship and painting techniques put into the Mobile Suit are impressive, and its spatial layout has been well thought out. The manipulator hand is used as a base, boldly conveying the Builder’s aim to materialize the idea in their mind.
2nd Place
Work: Loading...
Artist: Ryan Lau
Comment:
Pieces that are submitted to GBWC tend to have complicated structures and designs, but this piece has a surprisingly simple appearance while being a masterfully crafted piece made with skillful applications of panel lining and engraving. The expressions of particles transitioning to GUNPLA have been reproduced with painting and intricate chip parts. It has a clean finish and was highly evaluated for being carefully and excellently crafted.
Work: Loading...
Artist: Ryan Lau
Comment:
Pieces that are submitted to GBWC tend to have complicated structures and designs, but this piece has a surprisingly simple appearance while being a masterfully crafted piece made with skillful applications of panel lining and engraving. The expressions of particles transitioning to GUNPLA have been reproduced with painting and intricate chip parts. It has a clean finish and was highly evaluated for being carefully and excellently crafted.
3rd Place
Work: Regeneration
Artist: FAgreen
Area: Japan
Comment: This piece expresses the world of Turn A Gundam through the concept of embracing the Dark History (the history of all Gundam series up to this point). The Turn X and the Moonlight Butterfly are recreated by gathering parts from various GUNPLA kits. The painting techniques that were used also make it a beautiful piece that you will never get tired of looking at.
Work: Regeneration
Artist: FAgreen
Area: Japan
Comment: This piece expresses the world of Turn A Gundam through the concept of embracing the Dark History (the history of all Gundam series up to this point). The Turn X and the Moonlight Butterfly are recreated by gathering parts from various GUNPLA kits. The painting techniques that were used also make it a beautiful piece that you will never get tired of looking at.
Champion Interview
Q. What did you especially focus on when building your GUNPLA?
Dic Dic Chai (U-14 Course): “I especially focused on the expression of the Z'Gok's armor and the surface of the water.”
ZHANG JUNHUI (U-20 course): “I made this to celebrate the 30th anniversary of G Gundam. I used different types of blue for each unit to create vibrant, elegant, and powerful appearances.”
WU JINGMING (OVER-21 course): “I made sure that the Ex-S Gundam looks like it's actually flying, even though it is only supported by the palm of its hand.”
Q: How long did it take to build your piece?
Dic Dic Chai (U-14 course): “It took me two months.”
ZHANG JUNHUI (U-20 course): “It took five months to bring together ideas and three months to actually build it.”
WU JINGMING (OVER-21 course): “It took me two months just to paint it. I finished it two hours before the deadline.”
Dic Dic Chai (U-14 Course): “I especially focused on the expression of the Z'Gok's armor and the surface of the water.”
ZHANG JUNHUI (U-20 course): “I made this to celebrate the 30th anniversary of G Gundam. I used different types of blue for each unit to create vibrant, elegant, and powerful appearances.”
WU JINGMING (OVER-21 course): “I made sure that the Ex-S Gundam looks like it's actually flying, even though it is only supported by the palm of its hand.”
Q: How long did it take to build your piece?
Dic Dic Chai (U-14 course): “It took me two months.”
ZHANG JUNHUI (U-20 course): “It took five months to bring together ideas and three months to actually build it.”
WU JINGMING (OVER-21 course): “It took me two months just to paint it. I finished it two hours before the deadline.”
(GUNDAM.INFO Editorial Team)
GUNPLA Builders World Cup 12th Tournament World Championship Finals and Awards Ceremony
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Venue: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Sankaku Hiroba (Shinjuku Sumitomo Building, 2-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Venue: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Sankaku Hiroba (Shinjuku Sumitomo Building, 2-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
* This article was originally published in Japan. Availability & timing may vary by region.
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