For countless Gunpla and other model kit builders, the dreaded "yama-zuki" (mountain of unbuilt kits) is a familiar sight. Whether it's a lack of time to build or the sheer act of piling up becoming a ritual, it's a common phenomenon among hobbyists.
Recently on X (formerly Twitter) in Japan, model enthusiast @Old_rakkoman shared his ingenious solutions for organizing his "yama-zuki" of model boxes. His professional insights have earned him widespread praise from netizens.
The user recently posted: "A while ago, a passing netizen told me, 'Don't pile up your models,' and it was quite grating. So, I decided to do the exact opposite – I hung them up!" He even shared photos online, which unexpectedly garnered a ton of positive feedback. He added, "The materials I used are super simple: just mesh boards and hooks from a 100-yen store. The organizing effect was beyond my expectations!"
He pointed out that a significant portion of a model kit's cost often comes from the box and instructions. If more models were packaged in plastic bags in the future, having hanging space would be even more convenient. "However," he noted, "harder boxes aren't really suitable for hanging, so you still need to find a balance between stacking and hanging."
As you can see, he's arranged these bagged parts along the wall using hooks. He also mentioned that many model expansion packs come in bag packaging, making this storage method both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Many netizens were quick to react, saying things like: "Hanging them up like that makes it look exactly like a model shop, it's awesome!" and "I also went to a 100-yen store to buy mesh racks to try this, it's so much easier than using S-hooks like before." And to think, this was all a direct response to those who criticized his piling habits – clearly, this user is both clever and dedicated! XD
In fact, @Old_rakkoman had previously shared a "interlaced stacking" method for model boxes. As long as the boxes were the same size, it created a neat and space-saving effect that went viral. But with popularity comes scrutiny, and soon, some dissenting voices began to emerge.
This spurred him to share even more storage methods, hoping to help fellow model collectors treat their beloved kits with the respect they deserve.
▼ He also used simple diagrams to illustrate the difference between the two methods.
@Old_rakkoman shared that most of the criticism he faced was the same old "don't hoard, just build them!" mantra. Some even told him to sell or simply throw them away. He chuckled, "But I thought, how could I possibly give up on these models so easily?! Those comments were like system messages popping up in an RPG (lol), they just fueled my desire to collect them even better."
▼ @Old_rakkoman also frequently shares his model-building tips and tricks, like how easily 100-yen store two-tone plastic spoons can be used to create necessary model parts.
@Old_rakkoman also expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you all so much for your warm comments! Someone even suggested hanging super bouncy balls, and that really made me laugh!"
If you're a model enthusiast constantly struggling with storage, why not give these hanging and stacking methods a try? They might just give your space a fresh new look!