Otani fever at the Paris Olympics. In 2024, sports news set overseas became a hot topic every day. The submitted works included a wide range of masterpieces, including memorable scenes of such athletes. The gold prize in the 53rd contest was an original work by Yuji Aoyama, in which nine colorful Santas came bearing various presents! The natural poses of each doll, as well as the unity and composition of the work that result from them, are superb. You can almost hear the lively voices. The arrangement of the Santas, reminiscent of a German half-track, is also unique to doll modifications based on MM kits. Norio Mushiaki, who won the silver prize , created a look-alike work based on the opening of a drama themed around models. The characters who co-starred with Rico, the main character in each of the three parts of the series, fit well on the runners, and this work is also a clear fusion of the concept of doll modifications based on plastic models. Many people enjoy this contest by reminiscing about historical figures. Jun Ogura created a three-dimensional figure of Yoshisada Nitta, a warlord from the Muromachi period. This work won the bronze award for carefully recreating the costumes, weapons, and accessories in detail using multiple materials. The results of the artist’s research into the subject matter are evident. This work by Shinshiro Asagi captures a scene from the remarkable performance of Otani, a hot topic in 2024, after he transferred to a new team . Although the base space is less than 5 cm square, the dynamism of his speedy base running is a sight to behold. Meanwhile, Yoshiaki Maruno ‘s Otani is smiling and relaxed. However, the main character is probably the forehead flick that made the opening pitch a great success. In the entertainment world, the movie “Godzilla-1.0” winning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects was also big news. Shota Namikawa recreated the joyous expression of Director Yamazaki . I think that subjects that emphasize newsworthiness often require production in a short period of time, but each work is carefully and carefully finished. The above three people won the Topical Award. Hiroyuki Kimura ‘s work, which won the MM Award, is excellent in the sense of unity between the soldier and the war horse, and the sense of sprinting. The flow of the mane and tail is also carefully considered. With the addition of the 1/35 Animal Set II to the MM series, more and more people are incorporating this into their work. The Newcomer Award went to Junichi Sato, who tried his hand at this year’s challenge, for his Raid on the Ako Roshi. The base of the modification is a fighting soldier doll, but it is interesting how the same battle can have a completely different impression depending on the costume and style. The Idea Award went to 78-year-old Kunihiko Sato, who participated with a highly skilled work in which he modified a doll into a naked body and then painted it with animal paint . The vivid coloring is impressive, and the three-dimensional letters on the base, which are unique to Sato’s works, are still alive and well. It was unfortunate that there were no works that were eligible for the Junior Award this time, but looking at the submitted works, it seems that there are still many ideas that will make you think, “Oh, I could have done that!” Even if you are trying it for the first time, don’t think too hard, why not start by rearranging the limbs and face.

[Gold Award]
[Artist] Yuji Aoyama (50), Aichi
[Title] Model Sentai Santa Clauses The Santa
Clauses are a group of Santas who specialize in models, formed for model-loving children around the world. They were made in the image of Sentai, with RC blue, military red, and marine yellow. Some of the Santas have already assembled the kits, but that’s just part of their charm. The reindeer are modified horse kits, and the presents, such as RC and plastic models, are made from plastic sheet metal and putty. I ran two thick wires from the base to the sled, but had a hard time getting them into the thin reindeer’s feet. Santa, please bring dreams to these talented modelers of the future!

[Silver Award]
[Author] Norio Mushiaki (57) Okayama
[Title] Mass-Produced Rico – The Life Assembly Diary of Three Plastic Model Girls
This is the third and final installment of the “Mass-Produced Rico” series, a full-scale drama themed around models, and as a modeler I wanted to leave a mark on it, so I chose it as the theme for this episode. The three Ricos and the members of the Yajima Model Shop are all unique and attractive characters. I enjoyed making them while watching the drama many times so that I could express each of their characteristics well. You can use your imagination to create an original work, or you can make a look-alike of a celebrity or a sports player. The best part of a doll modification contest is being able to make whatever you want. So, a final word: “Doll modification is free!”

[Bronze Award]
[Artist] Jun Ogasawara (46) Chiba
[Title] Yoshisada Nitta
This was made based on the portrait of Yoshisada Nitta, owned by Fujishima Shrine in Fukui City. I started making this casually, but I had trouble trying to make it exactly like the original, and I ran into problems like “the armor is different from what I know” and “I don’t really understand the vertical pattern.” In the end, I decided to make it how I wanted while respecting the original as much as possible. I placed importance on texture, making hair bundles for the fur parts and planting them in putty, and also incorporated wool felt. I think I was able to achieve a more precise finish by using brass wire and brass foil. I tried incorporating the design of an important cultural property from the Muromachi period into the pedestal.

Click here for the brochure of all entries from the 53rd Doll Modification Contest