Recently I had the joy of speaking with Naoto Okawa, who lives in Japan. Nao is an avid ALIEN fan and serious collector of the MPC ALIEN kit. Along with his collection of unmade boxed kits, he also owns an impressive array of assembled models. Many of them unique. As diverse a collection you could choose to imagine; and one that demonstrates a phenomenal level of creativity.
The variety on offer here is marvelous in the extreme. Many of the model kits are constructed to be abstract and expressive in a variety of unexpected ways. Other kits possess their own narrative, often being recognisable and rigged to resemble re-staged scenes from the movies.
Some of the kits have been extensively and heavily modified to render the base model kit to be almost unrecognisable. The absolute range of skill and craftsmanship on display here is nothing short of breathtaking. Multiple artists were involved in the creation of these model kits and many have a distinct style resulting in a fantastic range of themes and ideas.
That’s quite a claim but while looking at these assembled models it’s often difficult to believe that all of these samples share a common base kit. The range of expression here is nothing short of impressive and they are all constructed from the same model kit.
Nao kindly shared over thirty images of his astonishing and unique collection with me. He was also generous to provide some information about the collection during a brief Q&A session:
Phil Wlodarczyk: Oh… my… These are fabulous. Thank you for sharing these images with me. Did you assemble these yourself?
Naoto Okawa: Many of my friends worked together to make it. They are all modelers.
PW: I am impressed you have so much creative talent around you. It’s a significant collection of model kits and a lot of work. Do you have a goal or plan for them?
NO: My plan is to collect and decorate fifty custom finished products of MPC ALIEN. Currently thirty three pieces have been gathered. It took three years with the co-operation of many people. We are planning to hold an exhibition when the target of fifty pieces is gathered. We will also hold a contest. I will also make a photo book. This is my dream.
PW: That is a fantastic goal. An exhibition sounds wonderful; and a photo book sounds amazing. The kit has an interesting history, too, having been published so many times during the past four decades. There’s definitely plenty of content to actually publish a book featuring such material.
PW: I know people will want to know, so I have to ask you. Do you sell any of these items?
NO: This collection is important to me, so no. I will never let them go. They are not for sale.
PW: I understand. This collection is a very personal achievement and I congratulate you for your not wanting to part with any of it.
Here’s a massive gallery of individual kits that comprise Nao’s fantastic collection. I have not seen anything quite like it before. I think you might have to agree. Importantly, I hope this selection gets noticed by other modelers and be inspired by the outstanding creativity on display here.
Thank you very much, Nao, for sharing this wonderful selection of assembled MPC ALIEN kits with us all. This is certainly a collection to be proud of. Good luck with your goals. I hope to see you publish your book one day. I hope to see that exhibition open, too.
