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Gunpla Hangar showcase

Are you a fan of giant robots? Do you like to build model kits? Then come on down to the Otafest Gunpla Hangar in the Acadia Room of the Marriott. Feel free to come in and build an experience kit, a kit you picked up on the show floor, take in the gunpla and Gundam related panels, or just hang out and chat with fellow Gunpla builders and Gundam fans.

Otafest’s Gunpla Hangar is your space to build, hang out, and connect with fellow builders and fans.

It’s also the home of the Gunpla Hangar Showcase, a contest where you can display your hard work for all of the community to see. Show off your skills and compete for special awards!

Gunpla Showcase at Otafest

Eligibility

  • Participants must have a one-day or a weekend pass to Otafest 2027 to enter the showcase.
  • The contest is open to any anime, gaming, or tokusatsu related models. No 3D printed or resin figures permitted.

Showcase format

Registration & showcase

You can register your kit(s) either by using the form below or in person at the registration table on Saturday May 22 and Sunday May 23.

We recommend dropping off your entries early to allow more people to view and vote for the People’s Choice Award.

After you drop off, we’ll take photos of your entries for the People’s Choice Award and help you get them set up in the Showcase room. Please note that registration closes at 6:00 PM MT on Saturday, May 22.

Judging & awards

Judging will take place on Sunday May 23 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, during which the showcase room will be closed to the public. Winners will be announced in the Gunpla Hangar between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM.

Pick up

Please pick up your entries by 6:00 PM on Sunday May 23. If you need to make arrangements to pick up your models after this time, please speak with one of the Gunpla Hangar staff members at any time throughout the weekend.

Rules

  • Who can participateThe Showcase is open to all registered Otafest attendees with a weekend or day pass.
  • Single Day pass holdersSingle Day pass holders can pick up or drop off outside of their attendance day by showing proof of attendance (ticket confirmation, badge, etc.).
  • Entry requirementsThe majority of the entry must be built from existing model kits or built from scratch. Excessive use of 3D printing or use of action figures (Figma, SH Figuarts, Nendroid, etc.) may result in disqualification.
  • Entry limitEntries limited to 3 per participant.
  • Drop offYou may submit your finished entries to the showcase room between 10:00am May 21 and 6:00pm May 22, late submissions will not be accepted.
  • JudgingJudging will take place the morning of May 23 with the awards ceremony taking place at 3:00pm - 3:30pm.
  • Pick upAll entries must be picked up between 4:00pm and 6:00pm on Sunday May 23.

Special prizes

  • People's ChoiceThe award chosen by the greatest community on Earth! ALL OF OTAFEST! Scan the QR code found on the entry tags, in the Gunpla Hangar, or at the Info Booth to cast your vote!
  • "Hero of None"For too long, the mass produced frontline units were used and abused, destroyed and forgotten. This award will celebrate the best Grunt Suit build. We will let them know. The battle remembers. We remember.
  • "Picasso"An award for the unconventional builder as chosen by the ever artistic Alina that expresses something unique, something weird, or even something… that is a work of art 🎨
  • "Fully Loaded"Do you believe that the only way to not miss is to fire all the missiles? You better lock and load because you've probably got what it takes to earn Weapon Master Derrick's attention.

Judging

The Gunpla Hangar Showcase is judged on three criteria. Build, Paint, and Creativity.

Build and paint scoring is based on the quality of the build and the paintwork. The more polished and clean the execution, the higher you will score.

Creativity is based off the extra effort put into elevating the build beyond the contents of the box without looking through the lens of build and paint quality. So take chances, make mistakes, and have fun because that could be what gets you some mondo points!

Showcase categories

  • Small8x8x8 inches and smaller
  • Medium8x8x8 inches to 14x14x14 inches
  • Large14x14x14 inches and larger
  • YouthNo size limit; Participant must be under the age of 14.

Size of model kits are restricted to the dimension of a square space.

Registration

Ready to go? Fill out the form below to enter the showcase.

Click here to enter