Online Model Contest

1st HobbyLink Japan Ma.k. Maschinen Krieger Model Contest Winners Announcement

Thank you to everyone who entered! We received a total of 231 entries, with outstanding works gathered from around the world. Every piece was remarkable, making the judging process extremely competitive. Please take a look at the carefully selected award-winning works.

Kō Yokoyama Award

⚫︎ Entry No#：028
⚫︎ Work Title：【 In the Field 】
⚫︎ Name：Martin Daniel
⚫︎ Country：Mexico
⚫︎ Kit used：1/20 FRIEDRICH（WAVE）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：The model was built without any modifications; the painting work was done with an airbrush, attempting to create a cloud-like effect and add some texture. All weathering was done with oil paints. The wooden fence is made from scratch using plastic sheeting.

MAX Watanabe Award

Judge's Comment: A work where the pop color palette and slightly dark motif choices mesh together in perfect balance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

⚫︎ Entry No#：031
⚫︎ Work Title：【 Springteufel(シュプリングトイフェル) 】
⚫︎ Name：Car Plastic Jr.
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/20 P.K.A. Ausf E Eismusik（WAVE）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I wanted to build an impressive aircraft like Snowman at P.K.A., so I created this piece using a jack-in-the-box motif. I aimed for a cute color scheme and appearance, while being careful not to stray too far from its military vibe. Finished with water-based brush painting using colors like U-35 and VIC. I absolutely love Snowman! Please restock so I can make more!!

Senmu Miyawaki Award

Judge's Comment: As an answer to the question "How to use one of the few 1/35 child figures?", this is a very fun and interesting piece! Placing the figure on top of the mecha instead of beside it perfectly captures a child's innocence. It's truly eye-opening. Mr. Yokoyama's Victor figure riding on the back of the Pak Krote also sat atop the mecha, didn't it? The scrapyard setting, straddling military and non-military themes, is brilliantly executed. The scene, dotted with various materials, is a joy to behold.

⚫︎ Entry No#：126
⚫︎ Work Title：【Mountain Hero! 】
⚫︎ Name：Satosho
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：ARTPLA Maschinen Krieger Sturmkafer & Pamela Amsel（Kaiyodo）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：When I saw the figure of Pamela included in the kit, I thought her standing pose conveyed a personality brimming with youthful confidence, so I tried to express that in a vignette.

Pamela, always brimming with confidence, saw the superhero painted on the scrapyard sign and pretended to be a hero herself, brilliantly defeating the four-legged monster! Looking up at her heroic figure bathed in the sunset glow is Sidekick No. 1. Pamela, what will we play tomorrow?

Maki Sedo Award

Judge's Comment: The beautiful form caught my eye. Changing the shape without increasing the frontal projection area is one of the principles when modifying Machinen. I don't know if that was intentional, but the abundance of side-view images also made the appeal points easy to grasp, which was good. The fact that the limbs are unmodified was also to my liking.

⚫︎ Entry No#：065
⚫︎ Work Title：【 FLAGMAN 】
⚫︎ Name：Yoshiki
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/20 Fireball SG（WAVE）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I modified Wave's 1/20 Fireball. It was my first time working with Maschinen, so I didn't know the proper construction methods, but I built it by imitating what I saw in books and YouTube videos.

I've carefully shaped the kit to preserve the original design and ensure clean, flowing lines.

WAVE Award

Judge's Comment: As the creator mentioned, I was overwhelmed by how the story and situation came across at a single glance. Furthermore, each A.F.S. was meticulously researched and designed, crafted with exceptional precision, making this a truly outstanding work.

⚫︎ Entry No：151
⚫︎ Work Title：【 We're getting you home! 】
⚫︎ Name：85th_MS
⚫︎ Country：The Netherlands
⚫︎ Kit used：A.F.S. Mk.I & A.F.S. Mk.II SET（WAVE）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I wanted to show a positive moment and the bonds that form between people, with a battle hardened AFS squad (Blue team) extracting a wounded comrade from the battlefield. This build focuses more on storytelling rather than raw technique. I've tried to bring out each units unique character with additional details (such as markings, cargo packs and a scratch built sling mounted launcher) plus some custom head sculpting. The paintwork is all hand painted, with additional texture logically added to armored plate areas. The weathering features genuine paint chipping and scratches, through various layers of paint and rust primer.

Kaiyodo Award

Judge's Comment: Fleige, featured in the final installment of the 35 Gacha-nen series, was released in 2020. Thinking about it being just five years ago makes it feel like it was only yesterday. We're delighted you used the ankle parts for the floating effect. The kit's thick seam lines are naturally rendered through damage effects, and the rich white color with accent colors scattered throughout is truly impressive. The base finish is meticulously detailed and elevated, showcasing YOSHIKI's skill and passion for vignette work in this piece.

⚫︎ Entry No：111
⚫︎ Work Title：【Patrol】
⚫︎ Name：Yoshiki
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：35 Gacha-nen Fleige（Kaiyodo）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I had never built a diorama I could be proud of before, and while searching for a purpose to create one, I found this contest's call for entries and decided to enter. The main body uses Gacha-nen's Fleige.

Assembly involved minimal seam filling and shaping of the base mold. The white color scheme evoking a spacesuit was applied using an airbrush and brushes. Set during a “patrol mission” and not combat-focused, the finish is kept simple with basic weathering effects like chipped paint and vernier burn marks. The diorama elements were crafted using plastic modeling materials and standard diorama components (see supplementary images).

The main motif is Fleige, so I was careful not to overload it to avoid being too assertive, while also keeping the overall brightness subdued relative to Fleige. I felt like painting the Fleige and diorama markings by hand, so I didn't use water-slide decals.

Hasegawa Award

Judge's Comment: The railgun-equipped Grosser Hund has a very sci-fi feel to it, and its overall silhouette is very powerful and truly impressive! The green and blue-gray camouflage color scheme is very cool. The female soldier figure also gives off the vibe of being part of the same unit, and it's easy to imagine a scene of them in action.

⚫︎ Entry No：073
⚫︎ Work Title：【 Railgun-Equipped Grosser Hund No-Face】
⚫︎ Name：Ak-N
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/20 Grosser Hund（Hasegawa）・Mia Reich Stabsfeldwebel (HONEMITS PRODUCTS)
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：The model was built without any modifications; the painting work was done with an airbrush, attempting to create a cloud-like effect and add some texture. All weathering was done with oil paints. The wooden fence is made from scratch using plastic sheeting.

I tried mounting the trendy railgun on the Grosser Hund. The generator is on the back, and the battery is attached to the missile launcher. The railgun itself got bulky and huge after I kept adding junk parts. The face was too close to the railgun and seemed like it would interfere with sensors, so I moved the sensors to the chest. Since it lost its face, I named it No-Face (not because I neglected it so much I lost parts, mind you). Well, generally, having graffiti drawn on the face guard is kind of a standard image. Modifications: The railgun assembly looked heavy, so I added reinforcement arms to the leg joints, extra heels, changed both hands to manipulators, and replaced the chest lights with sensors. The markings are inspired by a spitting frog. Painting was my usual brushwork. The camouflage is pretty standard, and the weathering just uses weathering colors, nothing fancy... I think I painted the figure well for once.

Honorable Mentions

⚫︎ Entry No：12
⚫︎ Work Title：【WAVE 1/20 Polar Bear】
⚫︎ Name：Ratchii
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/20 Polar Bear（WAVE）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I'm submitting this entry purely on the joy of receiving a comment from Professor Yokoyama on social media.🙇I deliberately removed the face cover to showcase the cool facial features of the Saito Heel figure.
⚫︎Judge's Comment: The sheer amount of information conveyed by a single image was astonishing and truly captivating. Beyond the meticulous detailing and weathering of the kit, the pilot's tense expression was simply superb.(WAVE )

⚫︎ Entry No：59
⚫︎ Work Title：【AMMOKNIGHTS LOVELESS】
⚫︎ Name：sunflower
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/20 Ammoknights (Hasegawa）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：“First Painting Purchase Commemorative” Wrapping Ammonites. I bought a print called Heaven Cent by Tennessee Loveless (artist name). Overjoyed and still riding that pretty high wave of excitement, I went through smartphone photography → DIY decals → cutting and pasting while checking the balance → wiping away sweat and tears with a steamed towel while using decal softener and a heat gun... basically throwing every possible method at it. After a thousand hardships, when I finally finished applying them, the lush green grass in the park visible from my window had completely withered... or had it? (The decals alone took about two weeks, I think). So, to commemorate this personal milestone, I created “AMMOKNIGHTS LOVELESS.” Thinking this would also be a memorable keepsake, I'm submitting it to this contest.

⚫︎Judge's Comment: In a way, this is camouflage at its finest!! A delightful piece featuring a disguise pattern that makes the shape completely unrecognizable. The unnecessary effort put into it is precisely the charm unique to model-making. I really like it.♪ （MAX Watanabe）

⚫︎ Entry No：62
⚫︎ Work Title：【Roadblock to quarantine area】
⚫︎ Name：Francis S
⚫︎ Country：Belgium
⚫︎ Kit used：S.A.F.S. type R Raccoon（WAVE ）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：This scene depicts a roadblock in an apocalyptic world, on a road leading to a quarantine zone. As relatively new to the hobby of scale modelling I learn a lot each build. This is only the 3rd kit I built. Having learned from my previous build I wanted to bring out the rust more, so I decided to use Fjord blue (spray paint) serving as basis for weathering. Lighter blues were handbrushed on to add a faded camouflage pattern. Weathering was done by sponge chipping arcylics and refined by brush to add variety. Enamel washes were applied to add grime and blend it together. Gentle dry-brushing was done on the engine to highlight the gunmetal base. The cables between body and legs are hand-spun metallic wire. Wire was also used for the connection between feet and legs, and for the antenna.

⚫︎Judge's Comment: This work brilliantly conveys the situation concisely and clearly using minimal elements. The deliberate choice to show the pilot's face peeking out is also a major plus.♪（MAX Watanabe）

⚫︎ Entry No：87
⚫︎ Work Title：【MK44 Specter Fast Assault Type】
⚫︎ Name：Maschinen Krueger
⚫︎ Country：USA
⚫︎ Kit used：Robot Battle V (Five) Heavy Armor Combat Suit for Space MK44G Ghost Knight（Hasegawa）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：The MK44 Specter is an original design for a fast attack space based armored fighting suit. The build is based off a 1/20 MK44 Ghost Knight kit with some modifications. First I modified the rear armored sections to accept the booster unit. The armored pods on either side are made from MK44 and Falke parts. The tail section is sheet styrene with an aircraft fuselage blended in with epoxy putty. Mk44 torso covers, Falke dive brakes, a Fledermaus rocket and a motorcycle frame form the larger details. The main gun is extended using styrene tube and parts from the spares box. I added epoxy putty sculpted welds and various bits and pieces to add extra details. The model was airbrushed with Tamiya acrylics and weathered with oil paints.

⚫︎Judge's Comment: The bold arrangement of additional equipment designed for high-speed attacks in space gives it a powerful form, making it appear like the strongest unit among the MK44 Space Types. The booster unit design fits perfectly with the Machinen Krieger world, and the overall form is incredibly cool! (Hasegawa）

⚫︎ Entry No：88
⚫︎ Work Title：【Space Delivery Agent】
⚫︎ Name：Ebisu Maruku
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：Neuspotter (WAVE）、Mobile Infantry [Strategic Communications Type]（WAVE）、ARMS MANIPULATOR FOR S.A.F.S（PINK TANK Workshop）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I wanted to build a bipedal Neuspotter, so I borrowed the body of a Mobile Infantry. Seeing the decal of a witch riding a broomstick on the Neuspotter, I decided to make the torso into a broom-style bike. I recently got hooked on Maschinen Krieger. I'd never done any painting before, but after seeing examples by Mr. Yokoyama and many others, I decided to give it a try and built this piece.

⚫︎Judge's Comment: This entry beautifully demonstrates the unique playfulness of Ma.K kits, showcasing how they can be enjoyed even when combined with other kits. The 1/20 Mobile Infantry kit used here was scaled from the outset to be compatible with Ma.K kits, making it a truly delightful submission. (Wave)

⚫︎ Entry No：138
⚫︎ Work Title：【Red Bull Lunadiver Stingray】
⚫︎ Name：The Modeller Matt
⚫︎ Country：Australia
⚫︎ Kit used：Luna Diver Stingray（Hasegawa）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I got the idea from the planes from Red Bull Air Race, and when I looked at the lunadiver, the front profile somehow look like the a F1 car, so I decided to put F1 livery on the kit. I referenced the Red Bull F1 car from 2019, got matching paints and some aftermarket decals. The kit was a straight built, the only big modification was done on the tail part, so it can be separated for painting.

⚫︎Judge's Comment: The gloss finish beautifully accentuates the Luna Diver's curved surfaces! While the paint scheme is simple, it's well-executed, including the placement of the sponsor logos. Since it's a contest, the unique artistic quality that sets it apart from others is also a plus. (Maki Sedo)）

⚫︎ Entry No：148
⚫︎ Work Title：【Secret Base】
⚫︎ Name：Takagi Leon
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：ARTPLA 1/35 Pak Krote（Kaiyodo）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：After the battle ended, I created this scene imagining boys gathering around the abandoned machine in the forest, which eventually became their secret base. While most Machinen are cool and sleek, I thought this playful landscape was interesting too. The paint used is Citadel Color applied with a brush. I added orange accent lines to the fuselage. The main body features two shades of gray with varying brightness, randomly layered on top of each other. It's hard to see in the photo, but I think it achieved a nice mottled effect. For weathering, I used the standard Mr. Weathering Colors. This was my first time building a Maschinen, and it was fun knowing it didn't have to be perfectly painted.
⚫︎ Judge's Comment: This vignette skillfully utilizes the height and length of the Pak Krote. It's packed with highlights, including the ladder that creates an atmosphere where you feel you could climb aboard this craft, and the outward-facing visual effects achieved with the gun barrel, trumpet, and fishing rod. All things only possible with the Pak Krote. I was also surprised by how well Citadel Colors achieved a military-style paint job. (Kaiyodo)

⚫︎ Entry No：153
⚫︎ Work Title：【To the moon...】
⚫︎ Name：Ohe
⚫︎ Country：Belgique
⚫︎ Kit used：Luna Tactical Reconnaissance Machine LUM168（Hasegawa）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：The switch to turn on the cockpit led is actioned by the mobil rear reactor

HLJ Staff Award

⚫︎ Entry No：113
⚫︎ Work Title：【 Time Slip 】
⚫︎ Name：Ma~bou (G-Pura Workshop)
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/35 ARTPLA Maschinen Krieger P.K.A. Kangaroo (2 Kits) & Maintenance Crew（Kaiyodo）

⚫︎ Entry No：187
⚫︎ Work Title：【Kangaroo & Maintenance Crew】
⚫︎ Name：Beginner Modeler
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/35 ARTPLA Maschinen Krieger P.K.A. Kangaroo (2 Kits) & Maintenance Crew（Kaiyodo）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：This was my first Machinen and Kaiyodo kit, and my first time entering a contest. A series of firsts, but I thoroughly enjoyed building it. I thought a military-style paint job would suit my vision, so I painted it with a tank model feel. For the paintwork, I used lacquer-based paints as the base, with a little water-based pen and enamel paint for highlights.

All hand-painted. The scene depicted in the photo is a momentary respite for the Kangaroo pilot and the maintenance crew, who are diligently working every day on peacekeeping operations of “removing unexploded ordnance and landmines left over from the world war” on a planet other than Earth. The setting is the “heartfelt wish of the pilot and maintenance crew at dusk: ‘Let's keep working hard tomorrow for the future of this planet.’”

⚫︎ Entry No：206
⚫︎ Work Title：【 New vehicle preparation 】
⚫︎ Name：arata
⚫︎ Country：Japan
⚫︎ Kit used：1/35 ARTPLA Maschinen Krieger P.K.A. Kangaroo (2 Kits) & Maintenance Crew（Kaiyodo）
⚫︎ Modeler's Comment ：I wondered, “Is this how they maintain them?” ❓so I recreated the inside of a maintenance bay. The left vehicle has light camouflage, representing a brand-new, shiny vehicle.✨The right one is painted in industrial colors, representing a vehicle busy operating in this bay for maintenance.

Judge's Overall Evaluation

MAX Watanabe: I was shown an overwhelming number of domestic and international works, receiving an immense amount of inspiration. I truly felt that Ma.K is spreading the joy of painting to the world, and it filled me with pride. The Ma.K in SF3D serialization in Monthly Hobby Japan is now in its 16th year!! I'm more fired up than ever.♪　

Miyawaki Senmu: It's really great that these kinds of competitions exist. You can enjoy yourself while also sharing your work with others.・It becomes a pleasure to have your work judged. It's a wonderful phenomenon that so many people are participating with such passion, thinking, “Alright, let's stand out!” That means entertainment value is essential, and it's fundamentally about being seen. If it's a photo rather than the actual item, for example, shooting outdoors or paying attention to the camera could make it look even better! I hope we see more competitions like this in the future.

Maki Sedo: There were so many outstanding works. I can't really comment on the modeling techniques themselves. Everyone is truly skilled! That said, the pieces I selected this time just happened to match my personal preferences. Everyone, please continue to enjoy Machinen Krieger more and more, each in your own unique way.

Kaiyodo: Just seeing everyone's entries has made me want to build models! Reading the comments, I'm deeply moved to see so many people tackling Machinen for the first time. The appeal of each company's Machinen kits and how they naturally become more intricate as you move your fingers, thinking “I want to do this” or “I want to do that” came through even in the photos. It's incredibly exciting to see the 1/35 scale world expanding through collaboration with figures. Machinen, with its photostory-like imagery, is also well-suited for photo competitions.