Welcome to an exciting recap of the Gunpla Builders World Cup 12th Tournament! This prestigious event showcases the incredible talent and creativity of Gunpla builders from around the world. Join us as we delve into the highlights, winners, and the inspiring stories behind their creations.

Gunpla Builders World Cup 12th Tournament: Japan Finals Report

On December 14, 2024, the Gunpla Builders World Cup 12th Tournament (GBWC12th) held its Japan Finals and Award Ceremony at Gundam Base Tokyo, organized by BANDAI SPIRITS. This year, the competition featured three categories: U-14, U-20, and OVER-21, with a total of 30 entries advancing to the finals, 10 from each category.

Winners and Audience Awards

• U-14 Category:1st Place – Yuwasshi (“To a Friend…”), 2nd Place – Jabuchi (“To the Next Machine…”), 3rd Place – Nana (“The Frontline”)
• U-20 Category:1st Place – Hikonatsu (“Beyond The AXIZ”), 2nd Place – Kosei (“Return”), 3rd Place – Tomohack (“It’s Him, He’s Coming!”)
• OVER-21 Category:1st Place – FA Green (“Regeneration”), 2nd Place – Katori (“Sea Things”), 3rd Place – Morita Hideyuki (“Strike Gundam Spec II Forced Activation”)

The award ceremony also announced the Audience Award winners, determined by public web voting. The judges, including Ryohta Kiyomiya, Jun Someya, and Naoya Kurihara from BANDAI SPIRITS Hobby Division, provided feedback on the winning entries.

Increased Participation and Quality

This year saw a notable increase in entries for the U-14 category. The quality of submissions across all categories was impressive, showcasing strong attention to detail in construction, world-building, and storytelling. The hosts, Masami Kyogoku and Baron Yamazaki, expressed their enthusiasm, stating that each piece was worth a closer look.

Champion Interviews

We had the opportunity to interview the champions about their creations and experiences:

• Yuwasshi (U-14 Champion):“I am 11 years old and spent about 6 months on my project, combining PG Strike Rouge and Gundam Astray. I focused on the details, especially where the Duel differs in shape. I wanted to convey Izark’s feelings to Nicol.”
• Hikonatsu (U-20 Champion):“At 20 years old, I took 6 months for the Sazabi and 2 months for the diorama. I aimed to create a scene that I hadn’t seen online before, ensuring every detail was perfect, including the lighting in the hangar.”
• FA Green (OVER-21 Champion):“At 22, I spent about 4 months on my piece, using parts from 40-50 different Gunpla. I wanted to create a powerful impression and focused on the soft expression of the Moonlight Butterfly.”

Looking Ahead

The GBWC12th World Championship Finals will take place on February 22, 2025, at the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -FINAL- event in Tokyo. Each year, high-level representative works gather from various regions, so don’t miss the thrilling conclusion!