Amin Abbas

DUBAI: The UAE-based hobby shop Otaku ME has recently opened its latest and biggest branch at a new location in Dubai.

The store is known to be the biggest one in the GCC region, and it is the official distributor for many hobby brands like Gundam Model kits “Gunpla” and scale models from “Bandai Spirits” and “Tamiya.”

Otaku ME retains many of the features from the previous location, but with a more open and expansive space.

A representative of the shop exclusively told Arab News Japan that one of the main features of the new branch are the “building and painting stations, where customers can work on their projects in-store. People can choose to bring their own items, or purchase from the store. Our team shares growth with customers on the hobby by providing the spaces to learn and experience the fun.”

The store also has lockers where customers can store their projects in progress.

“We have a big Tamiya Mini4WD race track, with regular racing activities through kit cars built from the store and upgraded with parts. Many racers frequently partake in this hobby experience daily and weekly,” Otaku ME’s representative said.

“Also, we have the ‘Market place,’ where customers can put up their completed projects to be sold. This also demonstrates the full potential of the hobby and the model kits,” he added.

Otaku ME was founded in 2013 by Qais Sedki, who is an Emirati with a passion for Gundam model kits.

Otaku ME also conducts workshops and mini competitions, as well as large annual contests, during which international professional modelers participate as judges.