The UAE’s biggest model-building competition returns!
Join us for the Otaku ME Modelers Cup 2026, in collaboration with Tetsujin, as modelers from across the region come together to Build, Create & Inspire.

This year’s competition evolves into a one-week showcase event, where all submitted works will be displayed inside the mall, allowing the public and fellow modelers to appreciate the craftsmanship up close before final judging.

Modelers can compete across multiple categories including Gunpla, Aircraft, Tanks, Cars, and Sci-Fi, celebrating creativity, technique, and passion for the hobby.

Key Dates:
On-site Submission: Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 May 2026
Judging & Awarding: Saturday, 16 May 2026
Public Display: All entries will be exhibited for one full week leading up to judging.

We are proud to announce our collaboration with Tetsujin, where the Gunpla Open Category Champion will earn an incredible opportunity to be sent to the Tetsujin 2027 event in Singapore, representing the UAE on an international stage.

The competition is open to all participants within the United Arab Emirates, as well as international travelers visiting during the event period.

Start planning your build and push your limits—this is your chance to stand among the best modelers in the region and beyond.

PRIZES

JUDGES

GUNPLA CATEGORIES

Gunpla categories consist of Open Course Rising Star, Clean Build and Kids Division. Participants can join up to TWO (2) model kits per category.

Download Gunpla Rules and Regulations

Entrants must follow each category's requirement to compete:

OPEN COURSE [High Level] Intended for seasoned experts with experience in global competitions or modelers willing to take on the ultimate challenge. Any creativity is welcome in this category.

RISING STAR [Intermediate Level]: Intended for builders that just wants to paint or custom paint their gunpla and leave them OOTB (out of the box) or no modifications. It is open to intermediate builders who just started with the hobby or experienced in a competition or not. It is also open to builders that has experience but wants to compete with OOTB entry, however Otaku ME encourages expert builders to join the higher-level category or open course. Entries are required to be painted. Existing panel line re-scribing is allowed.

CLEAN BUILD [Beginner Level]: “ONLY” for Basic Out Of The Box (OOTB) builds with a focus on the basics of building including proper execution rather than customization. This is a “NO PAINTING OR DETAIL PAINTING” category with the allowance for minor detailing (like panel lining and decal application if included in the kit ONLY) and Top Coat. 

KIDS DIVISION [Junior Level]: Similarly follows the Clean Build or Rising Star guidelines, though this is a category specially made for the kids aged 6-12 only. 

JUDGING CRITERIA

Open Course Category criteria for judging:
1. Concept: 20 points
  • The concept of the entry, the ideas and creativity.
2. Craftsmanship: 40 points
  • How well the concept was executed and the overall quality of the work.
3. Painting: 30 points
  • The quality and result of the painting.
4. Presentation: 10 points
  • How well the concept or build of the entry is presented.

Rising Star Category category criteria for judging:
1. Concept: 25 points
  • The concept of the entry, the ideas and creativity.
2. Craftsmanship: 25 points
  • How well the concept was executed and the overall quality of the work.
3. Painting: 40 points
  • The quality and result of the painting.
4. Presentation: 10 points
  • How well the concept or build of the entry is presented.

Clean Build category criteria for judging:
1.  Basics: 50 points
  • Build finish such as nub removal and seam line removal.
2. Decal Application: 20 points
  • How well the decal/stickers are applied.
3. Panel Line: 20 points
  • Application of panel line marker/accent.
4 . Pose: 10 points
  • Show us you best pose!

SCALE MODELS CATEGORIES

Scale Models consists of 7 categories. Participants can join up to TWO (2) model kits per category.

Download Scale Model Rules and Regulations

1. Military: Armor, Tanks, Artillery and any Military land transport or support vehicles.

2. Aircrafts and Helicopters: Fighters, Interceptors, Bombers, Transports and Air support Aircraft.

3. Cars, Civilian Vehicles and Equipment: Cars, Racers, Trucks and other various industrial equipment models.

4. Dioramas: Portrays a scene or story that supports the model. (Open to all types of models from the above categories only).

5. Sci-Fi Mecha: Anything fictitious or out of the real world elements, including various vehicles, equipment and maybe part of the pop culture, anime or movie genre that are not covered by any of the real world categories.

6. Sci-Fi Figures: Anything fictitious or out of the real world figures such as pop culture, anime or movie genre.

7. Sci-Fi Dioramas: Anything portrays a fictional scene or story that supports the model. (Open to all types of models from the Sci-Fi category only).

JUDGING CRITERIA

1. Basic Build: 35 points
Covering the basic aspect of assembly skills in terms of cleanliness such as nub, seam or molding line removal where appropriate, further considering the build to reference an accuracy.

2. Painting and Visuals: 30 points
Going over the quality of the paint applications referring to each particular genre to look out for irregularities and the proper application of weathering and textures with various painting techniques in reference to scale.

3. Detailing: 25 points
Any detailing work done to the surfaces of the models, such as modifications which include crafting components, kitbashing or add on parts and positioning In addition to decal work.

4. Concept and Presentation: 10 points
The overall concept and model layout with the general appearance of the entry in terms of visual impact.

PROHIBITIONS

The following leads to automatic disqualification:

• Ideas and concepts that are directly copied from other modelers.

• Entry that violates intellectual property rights by a third party (i.e.: No company logos, trademarks, or product lettering, designs (etc.) is prohibited. Otherwise, prior to submission, permission has been obtained from their respected right-holders. Otaku ME is not liable in any intellectual property or copyright claims.

• Entries which contain personal information of any kind. (e.g. contact information, social media accounts, etc)

• Entries which are slanderous or offensive that defame an individual or groups of people, ethnic, religion or otherwise.

• Entries contrary to morality and public order.

• Any works entered in previous Otaku ME competitions and/or any works that have previously won in other competitions are not eligible to join Otaku ME Modelers Cup 2026.

SUBMISSIONS

Participants must follow:

• To enter the competition, completed entries have to be physically brought and displayed by the modeler to the event during the submission dates only at Times Square Center, Al Quoz, Dubai.

• Entrants may be questioned about their entries during the judging event.

• Entries must not be winning works of any previous event/contest.

• Entries must be displayed in the event area throughout the week until the Judging/Awarding day.

SIGN-UP FORM

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