The annual Hyperdouraku Custom Airsoft Gun Contest 2025, now in its 18th year, has concluded, and frankly, the results are nothing short of a splendidly executed exercise in Japanese eccentricity. This is no mere assembly of off-the-shelf accessories, mind you; this is an earnest and deeply technical celebration of modifying airsoft guns—all perfectly compliant with the relevant Japanese laws, naturally. With a dizzying tally of over 300 entries, the competition showcased a staggering mix of engineering genius, artful whimsy, and the sort of dedication that most Brits reserve for queuing or complaining about the weather.

The Grand Prize, the ultimate trophy for this exhibition of mechanical madness, was bestowed upon a creation that utterly defies belief: the "Electric Shell-Ejecting 40mm Grenade Launcher Toy Gun MK19" by AirsoftTec (Entry No. 299). Scratched-built from what appeared to be equal parts welding scrap, pipe fittings, and a frankly terrifying amount of sheer will, this belt-fed beast was lauded for its audacious ambition and remarkable functionality. One must assume the creator either has far too much spare time or has accidentally invented a disruptive new method for plumbing installations, which is far more sensible, really.

On the other end of the spectrum, the contest indulged the obsessive, hyper-focused pursuit of performance, a category dominated by speed-oriented entries. The Airsoft 97 Award went to a collaborative piece "CAT Dorakusan Collaboration Model 02" (Entry No. 006, by Takoyaki Dynamics), a 'race gun' customised with vast swathes of glorious, lightweight carbon fibre, right down to the stock pipe. Similarly, the LayLax Award celebrated the "VECTOR Ver- VI" (Entry No. 226 by Genkai Gyoza), a Kriss Vector stripped and lightened to the point of near-transparency. It seems the Japanese are just as keen as anyone on shedding those unnecessary ounces, ensuring one’s plastic firearm is fast enough to shave milliseconds off a sprint—a vital service in the highly competitive world of make-believe skirmishes.

Entry No. 006

Entry No. 226 

Yet, where the British excel at dry wit, the Japanese bring a cheerful, delightful absurdity. This was perfectly embodied by the 41PX Award winner, the "M700 Choc-Waffle" (Entry No. 281 by Kimagure Kuma). This creation was a rifle lovingly painted to resemble a chocolate-drizzled waffle, complete with realistic, almost offensively delicious-looking anti-personnel garnishes. As if that weren't enough, the creator claimed to have infused the suppressor's sound-dampening material with perfume, so that every pop was accompanied by a hint of chocolate aroma. Truly, it’s the sort of harmless, faintly mad perfection that makes one proud to share a planet with this level of committed lunacy. One imagines the judge’s tasting notes were rather unconventional.

Entry No. 281

The judges, a distinguished panel of industry veterans, including the legendary Tanio Koba and various representatives from major airsoft shops like 41PX and LayLax, demonstrated a commendable appreciation for the historical and the obscure. Silver Prizes went to deep-cut scratch-builds, such as a gas-blowback H&K VP70Z (Entry No. 201 by UKA), an often-overlooked German sidearm. Meanwhile, the Hyperdouraku Award celebrated the clever customisation of a Type 11 Light Machine Gun (Entry No. 027 by Independent Gurentai), an old Imperial Japanese military weapon, modified to feed BBs directly into its unique, top-mounted hopper system. It’s an intellectual pursuit, really: preserving forgotten history via intricately crafted, non-lethal replicas.

Entry No. 201

Entry No. 027

The love for nostalgic minutiae even touched upon the profoundly low-tech. Among the runners-up was a perfectly rendered Colt 51 Navy Revolver (Entry No. 093 by Shooter Saruo), built not as a model or airsoft gun, but as a rubber band shooter. This speaks volumes about the dedication to form over function, creating a stunning replica for the sole, glorious purpose of firing tiny elastic bands—a delightful combination of grown-up reverence and schoolboy mischief. Another judge, "Moro-sho," delighted in a custom Beretta M92SB (Entry No. 096 by Kazama, Team 8) for its meticulous recreation of a model used in a specific 1989 Japanese TV drama, proving that true customisation often lies in the most hyper-specific cultural homage.

Entry No. 093

Entry No. 096

In reviewing the contest, the Hyperdouraku website reveals the true technical evolution of the hobby. Judges like those from DCI Guns noted the increasing use of 3D printing for complex parts. This is where the expounding comes in: the contest is rapidly becoming a test of modern fabrication skills. The sheer quality of scratch-built items like the belt-fed grenade launcher demonstrates that hobbyists are now leveraging industrial-level processes.

The most senior judge, Taniokoba, an industry legend, closed the show by specifically addressing this technological shift. He encouraged enthusiasts to continue using 3D printing and advanced manufacturing (such as CNC) but cautioned them to ensure the technology serves the soul of the customisation. The goal, he stated, is not merely to affix store-bought parts, but to use these new tools to express the essential, beautiful necessity of a particular design—a splendid, philosophical challenge to the next generation of builders.

Ultimately, the Custom Gun Contest 2025 is a ringing endorsement of passionate commitment and a showcase of magnificent, harmless engineering. It's a reminder that whether one is obsessing over carbon fibre weight reduction, faithfully recreating a rubber band mechanism, or merely trying to make a rifle look like a delicious chocolate dessert, the true spirit of the hobby is the sheer, unbridled joy of creation. A truly fine spectacle, and quite right too.

Check the Hyperdouraku Custom Airsoft Gun Contest 2025 page to view all the entries.