1st 2026 BuildOff - Monsters Showdown!

1. BuildOff Introduction, Theme & Ideas

Howzit BuildForce! Let's kick off our 1st BuildOff for 2026, the theme this time will be~ Monsters Showdown!

Before we get into the weeds, we would like to assist with people that are interested in entering the BuildOff, by offering a discount code “BuildOffBoost” for 10% OFF for your order! Whether it’s kits, tools, paints and/or any other supplies you need!
Plus, If you use the discount code for your order, then you won’t need to pay the BuildOff entry fee!

Now more about the BuildOff theme, here’s some examples of monster motif ideas where you can draw inspiration from!

• Giant monsters like Godzilla, King Kong, etc

• Classic monsters like vampires, zombies, etc

• Monsters from IP such as Pokemon, Digimon, Monster Hunter, etc

• Enhance the monster motif of certain suits from the Gundam universe. Examples such as the classic Gundam nicknamed the “White Devil” by Zeon soldiers, or certain Zeon suits that looks like monsters already like Z’Gok.

• You can totally create your own monster! Either literally, or by how your build is presented.

Get creative with your build’s story. Let your imagination go wild!

2. Competition Timeline, Guidelines & Rules

Competition Starting Date:
Sunday 25th January 2025

Cut off date for entering starting builds:
Sunday 15th March 2025

Deadline for submitting finished builds:
Sunday 22nd March 2025

Entries & Winners announced on live BuildCast:
Thursday 2nd April 2025

The model kits don’t have to be exclusively Gundam model kits. You can use any model kit, ideally within the Japanese anime or pop culture, or sci-fi genre.

A base will be required as part of your build and a single pose for your kit. 

The size of the finished build (kit/s and base combined) must be within 35 cm (Wide) x 30 cm (Deep) x 37 cm (Height).

We may want to display your build in our GUNPLA SA display case or at events. So plan your build so that it can be disassembled for transport and reassembled without much complications. It will be ideal if your build will be easy and solid to handle with minimal finicky or loose parts.

《 3 levels of categories to enter into - Beginner, Intermediate and Masters: 》

• For the Beginner Category, Build Quality is not judged and partial painting is allowed. Whether it's by brush, airbrush, your fingers, etc. Get creative! Your kit needs to have some paint on it and just painting in the panel lines is not enough.
• For the Intermediate and Masters Category, Build Quality will be Judged. So do your best to remove nub marks, seams, mould lines, etc.
• Builders that have previously placed in the top 3 of the Intermediate Category (Previously known as Open Category) must enter in the Masters Category. Anyone is welcomed to enter into Masters Category too if they feel they are up for it!

《 Other guidelines: 》

• Kitbashing and other physical modifications are allowed. Such as scratch building, custom panel lines and details scribing.

• Any 3D printed parts are allowed but will not be factored into judging. 3D printed parts must be listed when submitting finished builds.

《 Please note: 》

• Builders entering must be based in South Africa.

• No knockoff kits are allowed.

• Each entry must be built by the builder entering and not be worked on by multiple builders.

• If we feel a finished entry for Beginner Category is of a high level, we will contact the builder and upgrade it to judge with Intermediate Category entries.

• Builders entering will consent to their photos used by GUNPLA SA for marketing purposes.

• Judges’ decisions are final. BuildOff Competition can be cancelled by provided reason/s at any time.

3. Entering Starting Build 

Link to Entering Starting Build form.

Include a photo of the assembled base kit to be used, or box of the kit with it opened to show runners or the parts. It’s fine as long as it's not painted yet. Kit or parts in primed stage are also acceptable. Kits already painted are not allowed.

The photo needs to include a note of:

• Builder’s name and/or Discord name.

• The date when the photo was taken.

Entry fee of R100 to enter the Masters and Intermediate Category, R50 to enter the Beginner Category. Free entry if you placed an order with discount code “BuildOffBoost”.

Payment via EFT to the bank details below, to be paid at the time when the builder submits their entry form.

Name: GUNPLA SA
Bank: First National Bank
Branch code: 250655
Account number: 63004262183
Reference: "BuildOff + Builder’s name"
Send Payment notification to: howzit@gunplasa.com

Please note that if you would like to cancel your entry at any point you will not receive a refund on your entry fee.

4. Submitting Finished Build

Link to Submitting Finished Build form.

Include the name of your build, and one sentence for the story you wish to convey.

Add the concept/inspiration and technical details of your build. To give us some thought process and reasons behind your build.

Upload at least 2 images of your references.

All photos to be in square 1:1 formats and high resolution at least 3000 x 3000 pixels.

Exactly 10 photos. Maximum file size 10mb each. Please send photos in the following order:

1. 1 photo of the money shot that best represents your build.

2. 1 photo of a close up shot that includes at least the head and upper body in frame. With the head in focus.

3. 4 photos from different angles to show off more of your build. You can crop certain elements out of the frame, and more close ups of details.

4. 4 photos of each side. Front, left, right and back. Try your best to keep the kit and the base in frame. 

Please name your photos accordingly, with the name of your build (Not the Builder’s name). For example: Build Name - 01MoneyShot, Build Name - 02CloseUp, etc

The main photos are to be taken with either a rolled black paper backdrop, or creative backgrounds. Be mindful that the background should assist in focusing on your build and not distract from it. Encouraged to be taken with different camera angles, composition and good lighting to showcase your work, create a mood, scene or tell a story.

For the 4 sides photos, take them with good white lighting at eye level. With rolled white paper backdrop to help judge build quality and paint job. Try your best to keep the kit and the base within the frame and covered by the backdrop.

5. Judging Criteria

Judging from Jeff and Paul of GUNPLA SA and guest judge Armour, the winner from Mod My Model BuildOff.

Points in each of the following 6 categories, then averaged to a total of 50 points for Masters and Intermediate Category. 

For the Beginner Category, Build Quality will not be judged. Averaged to a total of 40 points.

1. Build Quality - 10 points (Excluded from Beginner Category)
Treatments of nub marks, seam lines, mould lines, flash, etc. The condition of the physical build quality.

2. Paint Job - 10 points
Quality of the paint job,weathering, decals, etc.

3. Creativity - 10 points
The concept of the build. What story or message does it tell? How well does the build convey the concept and the theme of the BuildOff? Without the viewer needing to read your story.

4. Presentation - 10 points
Scoring for posing, composition, setting and lighting.

5. Photography - 5 points
Are photos submitted in square format, high resolution at least 3000 x 3000 pixels.
The photos of the 4 side shots have a clear white background and are well lit in neutral lighting.
Area/s on the model that should be in focus is/are in focus.

6. Base - 5 points
Scoring for the base/diorama/vignette. How well it is made and how well it supports the build and concept.

6. BuildOff Prizes!

Firstly, builders that submit their finished builds, they will receive GUNPLA SA Gift Cards! R100 for Masters and Intermediate Category and R50 for Beginner Category.

Masters Category Prizes:
1st Place - R1,500 GUNPLA SA Gift Card
2nd Place - R1,300 GUNPLA SA Gift Card
3rd Place - R1,100 GUNPLA SA Gift Card

Intermediate Category Prizes:
1st Place - R1,000 GUNPLA SA Gift Card
2nd Place - R800 GUNPLA SA Gift Card
3rd Place - R600 GUNPLA SA Gift Card

Beginner Category Prizes:
1st Place - R500 GUNPLA SA Gift Card
2nd Place - R300 GUNPLA SA Gift Card
3rd Place - R100 GUNPLA SA Gift Card

In Addition, there will also be 3 Spot Prizes of R100 GUNPLA SA Gift Cards for these 3 categories: Favourite New Builder, Coolest Posed, and Favourite Concept!

The winners for Spot Prizes will be voted by the BuildForce community after the BuildCast covering the BuildOff competition entries & winners. The voting window will be 24 hours and then spot prizes winners will be announced in the GUNPLA SA Discord community.

All winners will be contacted via Discord or email for their prizes after all the BuildOff winners are announced.

《 Good luck BuildForce! Have fun, remember you are building something awesome for yourself that you can be proud of. Keep Building Joy! 》