Hobby Japan November 2026 Issue
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Price: 1,485 yen
The November 2026 issue of Monthly Hobby Japan is celebrating 30 years of Ora-Zaku with a special feature covering the history of the All Japan Ora-Zaku Championship and some of the most memorable builds from the competition.
The term “Ora-Zaku” first appeared 30 years ago, eventually becoming closely associated with custom GunPla and the creativity of builders across Japan. The All Japan Ora-Zaku Championship grew alongside that culture and has become one of Japan’s major GunPla contests.
With the championship itself approaching its 30th anniversary when submissions begin in 2027, Hobby Japan is looking back at its history across two parts, including past Grand Prize-winning works and memories from Hobby Japan’s own modelers.
But the feature isn't only looking backward.
Two former Grand Prize winners, Hiroyuki Noda and Ani, return with brand-new builds based around the question, “If I were to enter the Ora-Zaku Championship again now?”
HIROYUKI NODA'S 1/48 ZAKU II ALBION RAIDER
Featured prominently in the issue is Zaku II Albion Raider [BANDAI SPIRITS 1/48], built by Hiroyuki Noda, winner of the 2nd All Japan Ora-Zaku Championship Grand Prize.
For his new build, Noda revisits the idea of entering Ora-Zaku today, creating a Zaku II that includes elements of self-parody connected to his previous Grand Prize-winning work. It is also a deeply personal build centered around the mobile suit he wanted to create for the competition today.
The 1/48 Zaku II Albion Raider appears on page 028 and also takes a prominent spot on the issue's contents page.
ANI'S HGUC 1/144 NEO ZEONG
The other major build featured in the issue is HGUC 1/144 Neo Zeong “A Fading Will”, created by Ani (あに).
Ani is also a former All Japan Ora-Zaku Championship Grand Prize winner, taking the top prize at the 14th championship in 2011. His Neo Zeong appears on page 034 and is featured on the contents page alongside Noda's Zaku II.
The build gives the feature another connection to Ora-Zaku's history, with a former Grand Prize winner returning to the competition concept years later and asking what kind of GunPla he would enter today.
Having Noda's 1/48 Zaku II Albion Raider and Ani's HGUC 1/144 Neo Zeong together in the same feature gives the November issue a particularly interesting angle. Both builders have already experienced the pressure and excitement of winning the championship, and now they are approaching Ora-Zaku again through their current modeling styles.
The special feature also includes a look back at past Grand Prize-winning works, memories of the championship from Hobby Japan modelers, and a feature on the road to the 2027 Ora-Zaku Championship.
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