Busy model manufacturers attended Japan’s scaled down 59th annual Shizuoka Hobby Show on May 13 and 14, 2021. During its previous 58 years, the event held in Shizuoka, Japan, had grown to fill two exhibit halls with displays for tens of thousands attendees. This year, because of travel restrictions and health precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hobby show was limited to industry professionals and media. But according to attendees, sales are booming and the show was a success.
Shizuoka bills itself as a “Model City” and companies that call it home, like Tamiya, Bandai, Hasegawa, and Fujimi are seeing a rising demand for their kits. Here are a few of the new products we saw at the show, some of which have hit the international market, and others that are on their way for the second half of the year.
Hasegawa
Celebrating 80 years, Hasegawa featured its new Kawasaki K250.
Hasegawa
There were also 1950s-themed models.
Hasegawa
Hasegawa also featured the Galleon assault tank from Crusher Joe.
Aoshima
Aoshima is putting a lot of effort into its Snap Kits line, which is specifically designed for young children to assemble with adult assistance.
Aoshima
Aoshima also featured its GPX Future Cyber Formula One kit, tying into anime fandom as many Japanese model makers do.
Aoshima
For model builders interested scale replicas of 20th century cars, the company previewed an upcoming 1969 Toyota MF10 2000GT model.
Ebbro
Makoto Kiya was Tamiya’s chief scale-car designer for 30 years before starting Ebbro in 1998. His company’s latest release is a joint venture with his former employer. Kiya reworked Tamiya’s molds for the iconic 1963 Lotus 25 and created the 1966 Lotus 33 to capture both of Jim Clark’s championship race cars in 1/20 scale.
Ebbro
Ebbro also announced a line of Super GT GT500 kits.
Woody Joe
Shizuoka’s model industry started 80 years ago using wood from its local forests. While molded plastic transformed the hobby industry in the 1960s, Woody Joe still crafts wooden model kits with more than 120 detailed castles, ships and toys is very different from early wooden projects.
Woody Joe
The 1/70 sailing ship Oshoro Maru requires 100 hours to build.
Woody Joe
For World War II buffs, Japan’s secret I-400 submersible aircraft carrier is captured in a stunning 1/144 display model.
Woody Joe
Beautiful 1/150 Hirosaki-Jo (Jo is castle in Japanese) is complete with bridge and cherry trees and can be assembled in less than 50 hours.
Woody Joe
Woody Joe also offers kits to build fun toys, decorative dioramas, and traditional lamps.
Platz-NuNu
NuNu unveiled its new 1984 Porsche 911 SC/RS and 2019 BMW M8 GTE models. The company also announced Volvo models in development: ‘96 BTCC A4 and ‘97 BTCC S40.
Platz-NuNu
Sci-fi offerings from Platz-NuNu.
Plat-NuNu
Anime tie-ins are popular in Japan, so Platz’s F-toys introduced more Girls und Panzer tanks.
Tamiya
Tamiya is focused on increasing its manufacturing base to meet growing demand. According to Shunsaku Tamiya, the company president and CEO, the Tamiya wants to add more manufacturing in Japan and believes the advantages will outweigh the added costs.
Tamiya
Its large exhibit featured a trial area to operate new radio-control releases, static displays, and the track that will be used in the Mini 4WD Japan Cup.
Tamiya
The 1/48 scale Kawasaki Ki-61 Hein was shown in silver and with camo decals.
Tamiya
Tamiya also presented an updated Panzerkampfwagen IV.