![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GWQDIM7WVE2XEJRAM6ESSLDAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=154549cc14ec5dce659c6f8ab4db40f724f0b77bf03512018fa51f01c8bba923&width=400&height=225)
James Quinsaat, an architect, has won many awards for his models
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2ZTUFSU22ZHGRNMX23RHB5HVGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f45d680b7fd66b60468d7c32cd0ee0a723ab100b7816d501638b6181f9c41ce5&width=400&height=225)
Marlon Navarro, 34, an engineer, shows off his Gunpla model. He says the model kits bring back memories of his childhood. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SYQXCSY2HJEARD4Z4M3S5A236Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3120be88756536fdc39302a73155b8808b17a100b60f1b4635cde2c5d0609c2&width=400&height=225)
An OZ-06MS LEO build by Marlon Navarro
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6OG3JLN5VFA3PD6DH35U5CB5FY.jpg?smart=true&auth=50b989bec6c750e485bba19d45e16e287711c6d3535e53a1e5359e3b9ced48a7&width=400&height=225)
The Otaku Middle East Gunpla Group meet and build once or twice a month
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WADB7PL3BFFINP4YCCVJ6ARYXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e4ca4bca897db97d58662ad75b9a984f018169d42109fc729805ba17e6253ce&width=400&height=225)
The Gundam Zeta Armada by Jonnie Teodora was recently bought for Dh2,500 by a collector who was in complete awe of the clean details and unique colouring techniques used in the model
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DKNXTRPCSRD67PS3GUSJSJLPXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e9be70e13717515f0507e16c76f369338e8d17b8da074b937a1b739e2baf072&width=400&height=225)
Paulie Alcazar touches up his SD Genbusou Lu Bu Tallgeese model
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5UHQVZCT7FDM5ITSNVEUPQ2ZP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=969a72d85ba75e3a7c4ae621acb9990e3e3496e724f997c48f31f58478f0d5b2&width=400&height=225)
Hotelier Paulie Alcazar, 42, says he was drawn to Gunpla because anyone can enjoy building regardless of skill level, age or gender
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XZ23TR6TXZCGPI72GSCHGVOCCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=60ad56c7534a6a9bc5b13f269865ef41afa134b4b7343174c96f12a4a57426ad&width=400&height=225)
Mhy Mhy Alcazar, 42, with her custom Super Fumina Gundam Build Fighters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YG5XTK5BMVDKPNEPKU5XLZ4VVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b12930811bb051ee7167403fa8eff4d58da605e35d39480f398df00774de6096&width=400&height=225)
Rinoah Alcazar, 15, and brother Cloud, 5, with their models
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J2TQB4Q6EVACZNZPFBA4ABNHPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=71ef3e850c1dd8ecc5a31210f726ee6da31bd6c6c226288a393ee65519707ad5&width=400&height=225)
The Harvester built by James Quinsaat recently won fifth place at the Original Mecha contest as a special award
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UQJF3JEYF5HRJIEN4PP4FOFYF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3cd16f11106ff5e439af4e648854fe7fbed658af47bcf9483457fe88e0d5622&width=400&height=225)
More of James Quinsaat's works
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFTAOC6H5NHTFLXQUU7SBANZYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=05193621633bde4369df385309418e44d028a735bc1f16c612b17b4445387265&width=400&height=225)
Gunpla model kits depicting the vehicles and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SBDQML2GQFEEVDIUGGISL3DNFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0e490d1997b2832a2d2b4cc49957f33853fb4f5417b7899098d3dd5b9f8253ac&width=400&height=225)
A Gunpla enthusiast shops for new kits at the Otaku ME showroom in Times Square Centre, Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFWJ657CGJCRZOVSIPHWOUQQHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=db5853fc883d2e6c4f5e0119733d7c5bd67c819fdff187011c3d7cc9db2d56f7&width=400&height=225)
The Otaku ME Gunpla Group at one of their meetings
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MMFHWYT6JBDVL5FCSTQ7ROLQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c69ed162aec9abc032b5210b56a242215af1ba801284c9321b1be14e25db17f9&width=400&height=225)
Gunpla builders' tool kits have different types of clippers, drill bits and tweezers, and a variety of airbrushes, paint brushes and glues
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SICAYIZIWRAKPFP2XPOOFDHVNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c12db5a4d74be8cc0461a66b533f1d367da95f2994d8f843f04c275f110c47a6&width=400&height=225)
The Alcazar family at their home
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XYQPL2O4GZGV5JUQBCIJFGOYYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=95ece99c9cdb7642cfd99d6ca0e98da49d4d48067e1fd8496cfa0a91246346d9&width=400&height=225)
Rommel Cruz, 51, an electrician, started building in the 1990s
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XSJWEHWUM5AELOL3F5E7CQ4VXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=148604352168c48600c269f54ac266a1607d71786b346e54067f88888a74f260&width=400&height=225)
Jonnie Teodoro, 37, an aeronautical engineer, is a Gunpla modeller in his free time
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GWQDIM7WVE2XEJRAM6ESSLDAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=154549cc14ec5dce659c6f8ab4db40f724f0b77bf03512018fa51f01c8bba923&width=400&height=225)
James Quinsaat, an architect, has won many awards for his models
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2ZTUFSU22ZHGRNMX23RHB5HVGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f45d680b7fd66b60468d7c32cd0ee0a723ab100b7816d501638b6181f9c41ce5&width=400&height=225)
Marlon Navarro, 34, an engineer, shows off his Gunpla model. He says the model kits bring back memories of his childhood. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SYQXCSY2HJEARD4Z4M3S5A236Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3120be88756536fdc39302a73155b8808b17a100b60f1b4635cde2c5d0609c2&width=400&height=225)
An OZ-06MS LEO build by Marlon Navarro
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6OG3JLN5VFA3PD6DH35U5CB5FY.jpg?smart=true&auth=50b989bec6c750e485bba19d45e16e287711c6d3535e53a1e5359e3b9ced48a7&width=400&height=225)
The Otaku Middle East Gunpla Group meet and build once or twice a month
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WADB7PL3BFFINP4YCCVJ6ARYXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e4ca4bca897db97d58662ad75b9a984f018169d42109fc729805ba17e6253ce&width=400&height=225)
The Gundam Zeta Armada by Jonnie Teodora was recently bought for Dh2,500 by a collector who was in complete awe of the clean details and unique colouring techniques used in the model
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DKNXTRPCSRD67PS3GUSJSJLPXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e9be70e13717515f0507e16c76f369338e8d17b8da074b937a1b739e2baf072&width=400&height=225)
Paulie Alcazar touches up his SD Genbusou Lu Bu Tallgeese model
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5UHQVZCT7FDM5ITSNVEUPQ2ZP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=969a72d85ba75e3a7c4ae621acb9990e3e3496e724f997c48f31f58478f0d5b2&width=400&height=225)
Hotelier Paulie Alcazar, 42, says he was drawn to Gunpla because anyone can enjoy building regardless of skill level, age or gender
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XZ23TR6TXZCGPI72GSCHGVOCCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=60ad56c7534a6a9bc5b13f269865ef41afa134b4b7343174c96f12a4a57426ad&width=400&height=225)
Mhy Mhy Alcazar, 42, with her custom Super Fumina Gundam Build Fighters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YG5XTK5BMVDKPNEPKU5XLZ4VVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b12930811bb051ee7167403fa8eff4d58da605e35d39480f398df00774de6096&width=400&height=225)
Rinoah Alcazar, 15, and brother Cloud, 5, with their models
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J2TQB4Q6EVACZNZPFBA4ABNHPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=71ef3e850c1dd8ecc5a31210f726ee6da31bd6c6c226288a393ee65519707ad5&width=400&height=225)
The Harvester built by James Quinsaat recently won fifth place at the Original Mecha contest as a special award
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UQJF3JEYF5HRJIEN4PP4FOFYF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3cd16f11106ff5e439af4e648854fe7fbed658af47bcf9483457fe88e0d5622&width=400&height=225)
More of James Quinsaat's works
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFTAOC6H5NHTFLXQUU7SBANZYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=05193621633bde4369df385309418e44d028a735bc1f16c612b17b4445387265&width=400&height=225)
Gunpla model kits depicting the vehicles and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SBDQML2GQFEEVDIUGGISL3DNFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0e490d1997b2832a2d2b4cc49957f33853fb4f5417b7899098d3dd5b9f8253ac&width=400&height=225)
A Gunpla enthusiast shops for new kits at the Otaku ME showroom in Times Square Centre, Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFWJ657CGJCRZOVSIPHWOUQQHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=db5853fc883d2e6c4f5e0119733d7c5bd67c819fdff187011c3d7cc9db2d56f7&width=400&height=225)
The Otaku ME Gunpla Group at one of their meetings
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MMFHWYT6JBDVL5FCSTQ7ROLQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c69ed162aec9abc032b5210b56a242215af1ba801284c9321b1be14e25db17f9&width=400&height=225)
Gunpla builders' tool kits have different types of clippers, drill bits and tweezers, and a variety of airbrushes, paint brushes and glues
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SICAYIZIWRAKPFP2XPOOFDHVNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c12db5a4d74be8cc0461a66b533f1d367da95f2994d8f843f04c275f110c47a6&width=400&height=225)
The Alcazar family at their home
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XYQPL2O4GZGV5JUQBCIJFGOYYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=95ece99c9cdb7642cfd99d6ca0e98da49d4d48067e1fd8496cfa0a91246346d9&width=400&height=225)
Rommel Cruz, 51, an electrician, started building in the 1990s
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XSJWEHWUM5AELOL3F5E7CQ4VXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=148604352168c48600c269f54ac266a1607d71786b346e54067f88888a74f260&width=400&height=225)
Jonnie Teodoro, 37, an aeronautical engineer, is a Gunpla modeller in his free time
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GWQDIM7WVE2XEJRAM6ESSLDAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=154549cc14ec5dce659c6f8ab4db40f724f0b77bf03512018fa51f01c8bba923&width=400&height=225)
James Quinsaat, an architect, has won many awards for his models
Photo essay: How UAE Gunpla fans are building a strong community
The Japanese toy model kits, which first gained popularity in the 1980s, still have a huge global fanbase
David Tusing
10 March, 2023
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