The world championship round of the Gunpla Builders World Cup 2012, Bandai's official Gunpla-building contest with entries from 13 countries, was held Sunday, December 23rd, at Gundam Front Tokyo in Odaiba, Tokyo.
Winners of preliminaries held in 13 countries worldwide gathered at the event. Spectators and participants held their breath as they awaited the crowning of the World Champion.
Bandai's "Master Kawaguchi" Katsumi Kawaguchi and voice actress anf famous Gunpla fan Hana Kanazawa, hosts of the Japan championship, returned to host the world championship.
Bandai's Chief Gundam Officer Kazunori Ueno, representing the sponsors, thanked the participants for their entries, and the contest of technique and creativity began!
Dengeki Hobby editor Toshiaki Anbiru, Model Graphix assistant editor Yuki Takaku, Hobby Japan editor Yasuhiro Yamura, and Bandai's Hirofumi Kishiyama served as judges. Kunio Okawara participated as a special presenter.
The final showdown returns to Japan. Who will be crowned World Champion? See in our photo report!
[Junior course ( Ages 14 and younger)]
▼ Third place
Title: "Jasta Special Operation" Builder: Krit Somabha (Thailand)
"I'm so happy my entry was chosen from amongst such a wonderful field." (Krit Somabha)
"Extremely high quality, and does an excellent job of bringing Mobile Suit Gundam UC to life. As a Junior entry, a less restrained style may have propelled it to first place. (Anbiru)
"I'm so happy my entry was chosen from amongst such a wonderful field." (Krit Somabha)
▼ Second place
Title: "SAVING GUNDAM BASE" Builder: Vincent Hui (Hong Kong)
"I'm very happy. I'd like to continue working hard at my Gundam hobby." (Vincent Hui)
"The depth that portraying not just a Gundam, but humans and vehicles as well, adds created an extreme sense of urgency here." (Takaku)
"I'm very happy. I'd like to continue working hard at my Gundam hobby." (Vincent Hui)
"The depth that portraying not just a Gundam, but humans and vehicles as well, adds created an extreme sense of urgency here." (Takaku)
▼ Champion
Title: "Kabuki" Builder: Allen Febrianto (Indonesia)
"I'm overjoyed at the championship. It must be the result of the effort I've put into Gunpla building." (Allen Febrianto)
"The building, the painting, and the creativity are all incredible, and the kabuki makeup was a wonderful touch. I wouldn't be at all surpised if Allen someday makes his debut as a pro modeler." (Yamura)
"I'm overjoyed at the championship. It must be the result of the effort I've put into Gunpla building." (Allen Febrianto)
"The building, the painting, and the creativity are all incredible, and the kabuki makeup was a wonderful touch. I wouldn't be at all surpised if Allen someday makes his debut as a pro modeler." (Yamura)
[Open course (Ages 15+)]
▼ Third place
Title: "The ZAKU（RETURN of the J.RIDDEN）" Builder: Ko Kwon Chul (Korea)
"I wasn't very confident coming in (laughs), so it was quite a relief to make third place." (Ko Kwon Chul)
"Just like I said in my Junior comments, it needs a little less restraint. Bandai is also looking for entries that show how fun they were to build, so a little more liberty may have led to a higher rank." ( Anbiru)
"I wasn't very confident coming in (laughs), so it was quite a relief to make third place." (Ko Kwon Chul)
"Just like I said in my Junior comments, it needs a little less restraint. Bandai is also looking for entries that show how fun they were to build, so a little more liberty may have led to a higher rank." ( Anbiru)
▼ Second place
Title: "1/100 AGE Titusl" Builder: Aristeo Lamig Saavedra Jr. (the Philippines)
"Unfortunately, Aristeo was unable to be here today. I tried to think of what I'd say in his place, but I'm so happy I'm speechless." (friend of Aristeo Lamig Saavedra Jr.)
"This is a great example of how you can have fun with Gunpla by going beyond the bounds of 'Gundam'. It's a piece that managed to change my own thoughts on what Gunpla can be." (Takaku)
"Unfortunately, Aristeo was unable to be here today. I tried to think of what I'd say in his place, but I'm so happy I'm speechless." (friend of Aristeo Lamig Saavedra Jr.)
"This is a great example of how you can have fun with Gunpla by going beyond the bounds of 'Gundam'. It's a piece that managed to change my own thoughts on what Gunpla can be." (Takaku)
▼ Champion
Title: "PROJECT GWEN-REZEL FA+FW" Builder: Ng Edy (Hong Kong)
"It's such an honor to become Champion like this. Thank you very much." (Ng Edy)
"While it's a collection of popular parts bolted on to a ReZEL, it manages to carry each and every one of them without hurting the lines of the original. Highly detailed and well-balanced in a number of ways, this entry is worthy of being crowned World Champion." (Yamura)
"It's such an honor to become Champion like this. Thank you very much." (Ng Edy)
"While it's a collection of popular parts bolted on to a ReZEL, it manages to carry each and every one of them without hurting the lines of the original. Highly detailed and well-balanced in a number of ways, this entry is worthy of being crowned World Champion." (Yamura)
Finally, Kunio Okawara spoke, congratulating the winners and thanking all the participants. "Congratulations, winners! When I first created the Gundam design on a tight schedule, I had no way of knowing that it would still be loved this many years later. Speaking for everyone made Gundam, I'd like to thank you all."
Last but not least, the 2013 Gunpla Builders World Cup was announced. Whether you entered this year or you're a newcomer, why not enter the world championships of Gunpla?
▲ From left: Katsumi Kawaguchi, Kazunori Ueno,
Vincent Hui, a friend of Aristeo Lamig Saavedra Jr., Ng Edy, Allen Febrianto, Ko Kwon Chul,
Krit Somabha, Kunio Okawara
A recording of the live stream is available at the Gunpla Builders World Cup 2012 official site. Don't miss it!
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