MODELER: Ryne Bunn (IG: @rynebunn)
MODEL TITLE: Prophecy of the Seven Seas
MODIFICATION TYPE: scratch build, kit bash
KITS USED: HG 1/144 Gundam Aerial, Nuke Matrix Fantasy Girls Storm Interceptor, MS General Seven Deadly Sins: Greed
At this year’s Tetsujin 2025 competition, one of the most memorable builds came from Ryne Bunn, who took silver in the Advanced Category with a creation that blended elegance, fantasy, and mechanical artistry. Her piece, titled “Prophecy of the Seven Seas,” wasn’t just a model — it was a story, a vision, and a personal journey all rolled into one.
Surprisingly, it all started with a pun.
During a late-night build session last year, around the time the Little Mermaid live-action film was released, Ryne joked about combining Ariel with Aerial from The Witch from Mercury. “What if you merged the two? Would it be Aeriel?” The comment started as a laugh, but the idea stuck. She couldn’t shake the image of a mecha mermaid, and before long, she was sketching and planning how to bring it to life.
The build eventually became Nereus Aerial, a mobile suit with a mermaid tail, inspired by myths of the sea and powered by Ryne’s creativity. She sourced parts from three main kits — HG 1/144 Gundam Aerial, Nuke Matrix Fantasy Girls Storm Interceptor, and MS General Seven Deadly Sins: Greed. True to her style, she built each kit first, then started experimenting with how the parts could fit together in real life. Along the way, she made key changes, like adjusting the mermaid tail’s length for better proportions and reworking the posing to match the final vision.
The story behind Nereus Aerial adds even more depth. In Ryne’s imagined world, Nereus is a powerful being sealed away deep in the ocean — feared, forgotten, and reduced to legend. But a prophecy foretells their return, when they will rise again and bring change to the world. This build captures that moment: the awakening.
Building the diorama was no small feat either. Ryne had to bring out full-sized tools like concrete drills to shape the base, since her usual handheld tools couldn’t handle the casting material. Coral pieces were arranged by hand, gaps filled with putty, and everything had to be sculpted to flow naturally. Even small details like seamline removal on the mermaid tail and tiny fish became long, meticulous tasks. “Patience,” she said, “was the most important tool.”
While Ryne had already achieved national success — placing second at GBWC Indonesia in 2023 — this build marked a turning point. In the past, she focused on going big and adding as many details as possible, thinking that complexity was the key to recognition. But this time, she realized something more important: a build should tell a story. Every part, every element, should have meaning. Simply adding more doesn’t always make it better — it can throw off the whole balance
With Prophecy of the Seven Seas, Ryne has found a new direction. One that blends creativity with purpose, style with storytelling. And as she continues to grow, she hopes to inspire others and shape a signature style that people will recognize instantly.
From a playful pun to a silver-medal masterpiece, Ryne Bunn’s journey shows that great ideas can come from anywhere — and with enough vision and heart, they can transform into something truly unforgettable.
Should have won Gold... That is amazing
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