The NEXT Competition & Hobby Show 2026 by Angel Trend Trading and partners. Article by Putra Shining

Welcome to Putaro Plastic Modeller! Malaysian artist and builders, are you ready? Let's go! Because I'm sure IN.. It's going to be fun! See you guys there!

A New Horizon for Malaysia’s Hobby Community

The scale modeling and hobby landscape in Malaysia has exploded over the past decade. What once lived quietly in home workshops and local club meetups has transformed into a thriving ecosystem of world-class artisans, customizers, and sculptors.

Stepping up to set a new benchmark for the community, Angel Trend Trading (ATT)—renowned across Malaysia for supplying top-tier airbrush hardware, specialty lacquers, acrylics, and weathering tools—alongside esteemed industry partners, proudly presents The NEXT Competition & Hobby Show 2026.

More than just a standard exhibition, The NEXT 2026 is engineered as a competitive creative arena. It brings together builders from every corner of the country (and beyond) to compete, share techniques, network with industry vendors, and elevate the standard of Malaysian hobby craftsmanship.

Official website

www.thenex-t.com

The 7 Major Battlegrounds of Creativity

What sets The NEXT 2026 apart is its comprehensive, inclusive category layout. By recognizing both traditional hands-on craftsmanship and cutting-edge modern digital mediums, the show features 7 Major Categories:

🤖 1. Mecha & Sci-Fi

The heartland of mechanical imagination. From custom Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) kitbashes and original sci-fi armors to LED wiring integrations, custom panel lining, inner frame detailing, and industrial weathering effects. Judges look for seamless seam-line removal, flawless metallic paint finishes, and inventive proportions.

🚗 2. 1/64 Diecast (Mild & Wild)

1/64 scale diecast tuning is experiencing a massive global movement. To keep competition fair and fierce, this category is split into two distinct tiers:

• Mild: Celebrates ultra-clean restomods, flawless mirror-finish custom paint, realistic wheel swaps, lowered stance, and detailed miniature interiors.

• Wild: Unleashes unbridled imagination—featuring hand-fabricated widebody kits, engine bay swaps, custom decals/livery, battle-damaged themes, and extreme structural modifications.

💻 3. 3D Sculpt

Where digital artistry meets physical reality. Creators present original or heavily modified digital models sculpted using software like ZBrush or Blender, printed via high-resolution 3D resin printers, and meticulously finished with manual sanding, priming, assembly, and paintwork.

🗿 4. Hand Sculpt

A pure homage to traditional artisan mastery without digital shortcuts. Utilizing epoxy putty, polymer clay, wire armatures, and hand tools, sculptors are judged on anatomical accuracy, fabric drapery, surface textures, balance, and raw manual dexterity.

🎭 5. Figure & Fantasy

Focusing on character expression, skin tone shading, and atmospheric color theory. From anime garage kits and fantasy resin busts to high-detail tabletop gaming miniatures (e.g., Warhammer, D&D), this category showcases advanced techniques such as Non-Metallic Metal (NMM), object-source lighting (OSL), and smooth glazing.

🏞️ 6. Diorama

Storytelling in miniature format. Competitors construct immersive, 360-degree environments that capture a single, frozen moment in time. Entries combine scale vehicles, architecture, figures, foliage, realistic ground textures, resin water effects, and dramatic lighting to evoke deep emotion and narrative context.

🪖 7. Military

Dedicated to historical scale authenticity and technical precision. Encompassing WWII battle tanks, modern jet fighters, naval vessels, and wartime armored vehicles. Judging strictly evaluates historical accuracy, camouflage patterns, period-correct decals, and realistic weathering (dust, rust, mud, and bullet impact textures).

 Quick Category Comparison Guide

Category	Focus / Primary Medium	Key Judging Highlights
Mecha & Sci-Fi	Gunpla, Sci-Fi Kits, LED Mods	Seamless assembly, custom proportioning, paint finish, LED integration.
1/64 Diecast	Hot Wheels, Tomica, Mini GT	Mild: Clean paint & stance. Wild: Custom bodywork, engines & livery.
3D Sculpt	ZBrush/Blender, 3D Resin Print	Mesh detail, post-print processing, paint application, smooth surfaces.
Hand Sculpt	Epoxy Putty, Polymer Clay	Physical sculpting skill, anatomical balance, expression, manual dexterity.
Figure & Fantasy	Busts, Miniatures, Anime Statues	Skin tone blending, NMM metal techniques, facial detail, color harmony.
Diorama	Environmental Scenes, Terrain	Composition, narrative storytelling, realistic terrain, scale cohesion.
Military	Historical Armor, Aircraft, Ships	Historical accuracy, weathering authenticity, camouflage pattern fidelity.

Competition Regulations & Judging BreakdownMecha & Sci-Fi Category Rules

Competition Regulations & Judging BreakdownMecha & Sci-Fi Category Rules

Main entries must utilize original, IP-licensed plastic kits; bootleg products and full/conversion resin kits are strictly prohibited. Entries must be built entirely by the participant and fit within a 50cm × 50cm × 50cm dimension envelope (including base/diorama). Aftermarket detailing products and minimal 3D-printed add-ons are permitted. 

 Standard Class: Basic Techniques 70% (nubmarks, seam lines, base painting) + Customization 30% (panel lining, pla-plate, kit-bashing, weathering).

  Master Class: Basic Techniques 30% + Customization 40% + Storytelling 30% (diorama, base, and props).

  Diorama Category Rules

Entries must be original works displaying a complete scene with terrain, environmental elements, and a clear visual story—a single model on a plain display base does not qualify.

  Judging Criteria: Construction & Craftsmanship, Painting & Weathering, Terrain & Environmental Realism, Visual Composition, Storytelling, and Creativity & Originality.  

Final Thoughts: Workbenches Ready!

Whether you are a veteran military scale builder, a diecast customizer perfecting a 1/64 widebody, or a digital artist printing your very first 3D sculpt, The NEXT Competition & Hobby Show 2026 is your stage to shine.

Clear off your workbenches, thin your paints, prime your models, and stay tuned for registration dates and submission guidelines!

🚀 THE OFFICIAL NEX-T WEBSITE IS NOW LIVE! 🚀

We are beyond thrilled to officially launch the digital home of NEX-T Competition & Hobby Show 2026 — Kuala Lumpur’s premier, high-energy, cyberpunk-inspired celebration of scale modeling and hobbyist craftsmanship!

🌐 Check it out now: www.thenex-t.com

Where precision meets imagination, NEX-T is bringing together the finest builders, makers, and enthusiasts under one immersive roof. From meticulous custom paintwork to flawless 3D sculpts, this is the arena to push your boundaries.

Step into our 14,000 sqft exhibition space featuring 9 dedicated arenas of craftsmanship, including:

🤖 Mecha & Sci-Fi

🌌 Military

🏙️ Diorama

✍🏻  Hand/3D Sculpting

🧙‍♂️ Figure & Fantasy

🚗 1/64 Diecast

💥 Beyblade Zone

📅 Mark Your Calendars: 17 & 18 October 2026

📍 Venue: The Starling Exhibition Hall (Level 5), Damansara Uptown, PJ / Kuala Lumpur

Ready to elevate your craft? Head over to our brand-new website to learn more about our story, check out the competition categories, and secure your spot to compete!

👉 www.thenex-t.com

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