This year we will have Four Gunpla categories, "Straight Build", "Out of Box", "Painted Straight Build", and "Custom Build". We also have a "generic" Plamo Category. Lastly we will have six special awards, "Best Junior (12 and Under)", "Show Theme (Best Universal Century Kit)", "Best Diorama", "Iron Flower Award (Best Iron Blooded Orphans Kit)", "Peoples Choice", and "Best in Show". Any scale can be entered.
Winners for the Categories are done in a 1st, 2nd, 3rd Format. Meaning only 3 people will win per category. You are allowed FIVE ENTRIES, ONE PER CATEGORY and ONE PLAMO BUILD for the special award.
Make sure to head HERE for our Judging Guide to understand what will be expected of builder's. This year because the show is still small we are using the CRITERIA from the 1,2,3 Section of the guide, but will be using the POINTS SYSTEM from the Open Judging System. This allows a better level playing field in all categories for a chance to win "Best in Show".
Winners for the Categories are done in a 1st, 2nd, 3rd Format. Meaning only 3 people will win per category. You are allowed FIVE ENTRIES, ONE PER CATEGORY and ONE PLAMO BUILD for the special award.
Make sure to head HERE for our Judging Guide to understand what will be expected of builder's. This year because the show is still small we are using the CRITERIA from the 1,2,3 Section of the guide, but will be using the POINTS SYSTEM from the Open Judging System. This allows a better level playing field in all categories for a chance to win "Best in Show".
Best in Show
This is awarded to the best model in the show out of all entries. (2023 Award Shown as an example)
This is awarded to the best model in the show out of all entries. (2023 Award Shown as an example)
Theme Award: Best Seed Build
Any build whose base kit is from the Seed Universe. Even if the kit itself appears in a Build Series, as long as its base kit is a Gundam Seed Machine it is eligible. (2023 Theme Award Shown as an example)
Any build whose base kit is from the Seed Universe. Even if the kit itself appears in a Build Series, as long as its base kit is a Gundam Seed Machine it is eligible. (2023 Theme Award Shown as an example)
Iron Flower Award
Inspired by David's favorite Gundam show, the "Iron Flower Award" is given to the best build that uses any scale Bandai kit from "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans" as its base kit. (2023 Award Shown as an example)
Inspired by David's favorite Gundam show, the "Iron Flower Award" is given to the best build that uses any scale Bandai kit from "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans" as its base kit. (2023 Award Shown as an example)
Example of How to Use Awards
People's Choice
This award is determined by the public! We'll be handing out slips to both those entering and those whom visit the show to choose their favorite build. The one with the most votes will win this award!
This award is determined by the public! We'll be handing out slips to both those entering and those whom visit the show to choose their favorite build. The one with the most votes will win this award!
Best Diorama Award
Awarded to the best Diorama from kits themselves that were entered into the "Custom Category". (2023 Award Shown as an example)
Awarded to the best Diorama from kits themselves that were entered into the "Custom Category". (2023 Award Shown as an example)
Best Junior Award
New for this year is the "Best Junior Award". We had a few Juniors show up last year and enter, so this year we would like to start recognizing the future modelers. We are doing it as a Special Award this year, but should we start getting larger turnout we will turn it into a full blown category. This year due to being a single award the category will be judged like a custom category. (2023 Best Diorama Award Shown as an example)
New for this year is the "Best Junior Award". We had a few Juniors show up last year and enter, so this year we would like to start recognizing the future modelers. We are doing it as a Special Award this year, but should we start getting larger turnout we will turn it into a full blown category. This year due to being a single award the category will be judged like a custom category. (2023 Best Diorama Award Shown as an example)
"Out of Box" Category
This category is for Gunpla Kits made by Bandai only. In the Gunpla community this category term is interchangeable with the Category Term “Straight Build”. For this contest “Straight Build” is NOT the same as “Out of Box”. Out of Box Builds are defined as models built out of box with no paint, only using the stickers or waterslides included in the kit. For this category the only “painting” allowed is filling in the panel lines with a panel liner (examples include Mr.Hobby/GSI Creos Fine Point Gundam Marker For Panel Lines, and Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color). The reasoning for allowing “panel lining” is threefold. First, Bandai themselves suggest that as one of the first thing a modeler should do to “enhance their build” on the box and within the instructions. Second, this in turn allows the modeler a slight sense of creative freedom to make the model a bit more “their own” even though it’s a “Out of Box” Build. Third, from a judges perspective, this allows us to have a little more to work with when judging builds within this category. It gives us a way to possibly separate a gold build from a silver build. Below is the Judging Sheet we will be using. The instruction manual is required for this category. If you no longer have it try 달롱이의 건플라 리뷰 (dalong.net). (2023 Out of Box Awards Shown as an example)
This category is for Gunpla Kits made by Bandai only. In the Gunpla community this category term is interchangeable with the Category Term “Straight Build”. For this contest “Straight Build” is NOT the same as “Out of Box”. Out of Box Builds are defined as models built out of box with no paint, only using the stickers or waterslides included in the kit. For this category the only “painting” allowed is filling in the panel lines with a panel liner (examples include Mr.Hobby/GSI Creos Fine Point Gundam Marker For Panel Lines, and Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color). The reasoning for allowing “panel lining” is threefold. First, Bandai themselves suggest that as one of the first thing a modeler should do to “enhance their build” on the box and within the instructions. Second, this in turn allows the modeler a slight sense of creative freedom to make the model a bit more “their own” even though it’s a “Out of Box” Build. Third, from a judges perspective, this allows us to have a little more to work with when judging builds within this category. It gives us a way to possibly separate a gold build from a silver build. Below is the Judging Sheet we will be using. The instruction manual is required for this category. If you no longer have it try 달롱이의 건플라 리뷰 (dalong.net). (2023 Out of Box Awards Shown as an example)
"Straight Build" Category
This category is for Gunpla Kits made by Bandai only. Straight Builds are defined as models built straight out of box with topcoat, you can use the stickers/waterslides included or aftermarket waterslides. Again for this category the only “painting” allowed besides the topcoat is filling in the panel lines with a panel liner (examples include Mr.Hobby/GSI Creos Fine Point Gundam Marker For Panel Lines, and Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color). The reason for no painting in this category is again due to the nature of Gunpla. Since they come precolored the next skill people learn is applying clear coats over their builds to create a nice matte finish. This adds a new layer of challenge for the builder and should be recognized. Below is the Judging Sheet we will be using. The instruction manual is required for this category. If you no longer have it try 달롱이의 건플라 리뷰 (dalong.net). (2023 Straight Build Awards Shown as an example)
This category is for Gunpla Kits made by Bandai only. Straight Builds are defined as models built straight out of box with topcoat, you can use the stickers/waterslides included or aftermarket waterslides. Again for this category the only “painting” allowed besides the topcoat is filling in the panel lines with a panel liner (examples include Mr.Hobby/GSI Creos Fine Point Gundam Marker For Panel Lines, and Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color). The reason for no painting in this category is again due to the nature of Gunpla. Since they come precolored the next skill people learn is applying clear coats over their builds to create a nice matte finish. This adds a new layer of challenge for the builder and should be recognized. Below is the Judging Sheet we will be using. The instruction manual is required for this category. If you no longer have it try 달롱이의 건플라 리뷰 (dalong.net). (2023 Straight Build Awards Shown as an example)
Painted Straight Build
This category is for Gunpla Kits made by Bandai only. First, we need to define “Painted Straight Build”. For this guide, “Painted Straight Build” is NOT the same as a “Custom Build”. Painted Straight Builds are models built out of only what’s in the box, with paint colors of the builder’s choice, and topcoat. Additionally, the builder may use the waterslides included with the kit or aftermarket waterslides, but at this point, they should have moved away from stickers. At this level, the criteria you’d look for in any other, non-Gunpla genre of build starts to apply. You want to see seamlines removed, paint applied smoothly, and no decal silvering. You may see some weathering in this category, but it’s not common; We will use our best judgment to decide if a weathered kit should stay in this category or not. What we DON’T
want to see are kit bashes, resin (both cast and 3D) conversion, full resin kits, scratch building, third- party kits, etc.—only what’s in an official Bandai Gunpla kit is allowed in the Painted Straight Build category. That’s why it’s very important that the INSTRUCTION SHEETS BE PROVIDED. That way, judges can determine that everything they see did indeed come from the box. If you no longer have it try 달롱이의 건플라 리뷰 (dalong.net). (2023 Straight Build Awards Shown as an example)
This category is for Gunpla Kits made by Bandai only. First, we need to define “Painted Straight Build”. For this guide, “Painted Straight Build” is NOT the same as a “Custom Build”. Painted Straight Builds are models built out of only what’s in the box, with paint colors of the builder’s choice, and topcoat. Additionally, the builder may use the waterslides included with the kit or aftermarket waterslides, but at this point, they should have moved away from stickers. At this level, the criteria you’d look for in any other, non-Gunpla genre of build starts to apply. You want to see seamlines removed, paint applied smoothly, and no decal silvering. You may see some weathering in this category, but it’s not common; We will use our best judgment to decide if a weathered kit should stay in this category or not. What we DON’T
want to see are kit bashes, resin (both cast and 3D) conversion, full resin kits, scratch building, third- party kits, etc.—only what’s in an official Bandai Gunpla kit is allowed in the Painted Straight Build category. That’s why it’s very important that the INSTRUCTION SHEETS BE PROVIDED. That way, judges can determine that everything they see did indeed come from the box. If you no longer have it try 달롱이의 건플라 리뷰 (dalong.net). (2023 Straight Build Awards Shown as an example)
"Custom Build" Category
Custom Build is the category to enter if you want your creativity to shine! In this category you can enter any type of Custom Built Gunpla. Kit Bash, Resin (Both Cast and 3D) Conversion, Full Resin Kit, Scratch Building, 3rd Party Kits, and ect! Below is the Judging Sheet we will be using. (2023 Custom Build Awards Shown as an example)
Custom Build is the category to enter if you want your creativity to shine! In this category you can enter any type of Custom Built Gunpla. Kit Bash, Resin (Both Cast and 3D) Conversion, Full Resin Kit, Scratch Building, 3rd Party Kits, and ect! Below is the Judging Sheet we will be using. (2023 Custom Build Awards Shown as an example)
Plamo Build
New for this year is the "Plamo Award". Not everyone builds Gunpla and we want to start recognizing that. Plamo is in our name after all. So this year we are adding this category. We are defining "Plamo" as model kits based around a Japanese Anime Show/Movie or Manga. The "Plamo" model in question does NOT have to be made by Bandai. Since it is a single category this year we are judging it like the Custom Category. (2023 Straight Build Awards Shown as an example)
New for this year is the "Plamo Award". Not everyone builds Gunpla and we want to start recognizing that. Plamo is in our name after all. So this year we are adding this category. We are defining "Plamo" as model kits based around a Japanese Anime Show/Movie or Manga. The "Plamo" model in question does NOT have to be made by Bandai. Since it is a single category this year we are judging it like the Custom Category. (2023 Straight Build Awards Shown as an example)
Award can be converted into a Display Base!