The 12th Gunpla Builders World Cup took place on February 22nd, 2025 in Shinjuku, Japan, celebrating the art of Gunpla building with a showcase of models from 16 different regions around the world.
Each model had advanced to this round after winning regional tournaments in their respective countries, with the World Cup to determine global winners in three different categories – Under-14, Under-20, and Over-21.
19-year-old Malaysian representative Iyad Najmi, also known as Vulcan Gunpla, managed to secure third place in the Under-20 category with his piece “Armoured Devil, Engage!”. Judges commented on his attention to detail, as well as the addition of a slightly inclined diorama base, which lent a sense of dynamism and momentum to the work.
Other winners in the same category were Zhang Junhui from mainland China, who took home first place, while Hikonatsu from Japan won second place. A complete list of winners can be found on the Bandai Spirits Hobby Instagram account.
Malaysia has had a longstanding history of victories at the Gunpla Builders World Cup. The first place winner of the very first World Cup in 2011 was a Malaysian, Ho Yick Yin, who won with his piece ‘Kshatriya IV’. Recently in 2023, Malaysian Joven Teh placed second in the Under-14 category for his piece ‘Siegrune – The Noble Crusader’.
