6 People That You Should Talk to at a Gunpla Competition

Whether you usually build Gunpla models alone or with friends, it’s not normally the kind of hobby that draws a crowd. That changes when you attend a Gunpla competition: a public event that will lead you to connect with other hobbyists you might not know. If you’re feeling a bit tongue-tied, let competition participant and judge Megaplamo give you some tips on how to meet new Gunpla friends. 

If you are like me and you spend all your free time alone in your house building plastic models, you might be an introvert. So when you go to a model competition, it can be hard to know who to talk to, or even how to strike up a conversation. Don’t let nerves cause you to let this fantastic opportunity to build your Gunpla community pass you by.

See also: How To Find And Enter Gunpla Competitions

I want to encourage you and let you know that this is a great chance to learn new things and make new friends. Just remember that you already have one huge thing in common with everyone at the event: you care about Gunpla enough to spend your free time there, just like them. Here are six people that it’d be worth your while to connect with at a competition:

1. The judges

If you submitted a model kit to be judged, ask them about your entry. What did they like about it? What can you do better next time? This can be a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself and take the next step on your journey, or it can be a way to confirm that you are where you want to be. If you aren’t sure if you can take criticism, then just ask them what they like the most about your kit. Judges are usually volunteers who do what they do because they want to help others enjoy this hobby. If you disagree with their feedback, that’s OK. Just tell them thank you for their thoughts and move along.

2. That one guy who’s been building tanks for years. 

You’ll know them when you see them—an older hobbyist who specializes in realistic armor. Armor modelers are on another level. They know all sorts of things about weathering, dioramas, and working with super difficult kits. They also know all sorts of no-nonsense techniques and can find most of what they need at the hardware store while younger builders, myself included, tend to buy all the new fancy stuff we don’t really need. If you are struggling with a project, mention it to them and see if they have dealt with something similar and can offer advice.

3. The person who won the competition

Don’t forget to stop by and congratulate the winner. Maybe they got “Best in Show” or “Best Gunpla.” Ask them about their process and what techniques they used. What do they think was the biggest challenge of the kit? Ask them about their favorite builder or mobile suit. You might think you’re imposing, but it’s much more likely they’ll be happy you approached them. When you put a lot of work into a model, it’s really enjoyable to share the process with someone else.

4. The new builder

Maybe this person just entered a competition for the first time. Take time to tell this new builder something you like about their kit. This can help encourage them to keep building and help them feel included. Remember back to when you first started building Gunpla and how you felt. There is a lot to learn and it can be overwhelming. Someone taking the time to acknowledge something good about your work means a lot.

5. Someone who built a model in a genre that interests you

Say you’ve been wanting to build a Five Star Stories kit, or maybe a resin garage kit. Talk to someone at the competition who has. Ask them what you need to do to get into that series, or what tools you may need. Ask them how it compares to Gunpla. This can help you expand your horizons to the broader sci-fi modeling world if you need a break from Gunpla. I spoke recently with someone who paints 1/24 scale figures and it inspired me to branch out into the world of figures. I’m still new to that genre but I’ve been really enjoying it.

6. The person who built your favorite model 

Which one was your favorite kit in the whole competition? Take some time to talk to the builder of that kit. You may find that you have similar taste in more than just models, maybe stuff like anime or movies, too, and in the process connect with a new friend. When I think back about it, I’ve made a lot of friends in this hobby by connecting over a favorite character or mobile suit.

 A note on taking and receiving criticism

Finally, I want to end with a note on tougher conversations that can sometimes occur at Gunpla competitions. Competitions may be a place where people bring their models to be judged, but it’s important to be aware of when it’s appropriate to give criticism or receive criticism. If someone doesn’t ask, then just point out something you like about their kit. If someone does ask for a critique, then make sure that what you have to say is helpful.

As you interact with all the different types of people that you will meet at a model competition, you will start to make friends over time. This can be a great opportunity to start a group on Facebook or Discord and then set up some local Gunpla build days. As I’ve mentioned in a previous article on build days, this really is a social hobby and we can enjoy it more together!

See also: How To Make New Friends And Improve Your Skills In A Gunpla Group

Megaplamo has been building plastic models since 2001. When not building he plays the guitar, bikes, and travels. He lives near the Gulf Coast of Alabama where he and his wife are teaching their two cats to become productive members of society. You can follow @megaplamo on Instagram for current projects, completed projects, and Gunpla building tips.