The Winners for the AB2015 Art Contest: Kaiju vs Mecha!

[Faceman]

For Anime Boston 2015's "Kaiju vs Mecha" theme, we invited all artists to participate in our Kaiju vs Mecha Art Contest. (See this thread for contest announcement and rules: viewtopic.php?f=66&t=18738).

The Grand Prize winner will receive one free eight-foot table in the 2015 Artists' Alley, as well as a convention membership badge. One Runner Up will receive a free convention membership badge to Anime Boston 2015. All Honorable Mentions will be featured in the Art Gallery at Anime Boston 2015.

Entries were judged based on three criteria:
-Adherence to the 2015 theme of Kaiju vs Mecha
-Creativity and Originality
-How well the artwork depicts the back story.

Judging was done by the Anime Boston Social Media Team, who organized the contest.

Below we have the Grand Prize Winner, and Runner Up winner, followed by the Honorable Mentions and then all other submissions to the Art Contest. Click on a thumbnail to view the full size in our Gallery.

We deeply thank all of the artists for their submissions. It's your participation that makes this Art Contest a success, and we will continue holding it each year as long as we receive submissions!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Boya Sun
The Battle of Eliwell
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://www.boyasun.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
One day, the citizens of Eliwell saw a serpent fall into the sea. Its scales glittered like the smooth veneer of a glacier, and with it brought an endless snow. Desperate, a girl decided to sacrifice herself and have her heart be placed into Eliwell’s ancient mechanical warrior, so it may live to fight the beast.

Yet the serpent crushed its armor ruthlessly, exposing the girl’s beating heart. Too late, it realized its mistake: it howled as the heart’s warmth melted it into the sea. The citizens gathered to watch the clouds part, returning the sun to Eliwell once more.



RUNNER UP

Hayden Sherman
War Giants
MEDIUM: Ink & Photoshop
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://cleanlined.tumblr.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Mech pilot Akins has been on the run from a beast that has continuously pursued him since his days of war. He has travelled across the world to avoid this vengeful monster, fearing that if he stopped, the beast would find him and ruin whatever life he may have made for himself. However, after many years spent avoiding this beast, Akins comes to realize that by running away he has only brought pain to both himself and many others. Now, within this city, Akins turns back to fight the monster, hoping to finally learn why this beast has pursued him



HONORABLE MENTIONS

Elisa Cook
Who's The Better Builder?
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://butterfly-kitsune.deviantart.com/
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Things are heating up between this mecha and kaiju as they compete to see who builds the better tower. Much like a sandcastle competition at the beach, except instead of sand they use buildings.



Sonia Liao
Record Log: The Hanebi
MEDIUM: Mixed Media (Pencil and Photoshop)
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://sonialiao.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
This is Captain Robert. Date: 2334. Our encounter with the inhabitants of Planet Hanebi takes an unexpected turn when their leaders demand us participate in a game or else they would open fire. This "chess" as they call it has not been played by us Mechanians for centuries... Thankfully Ensign George has been studying the craft due to his interest in ancient customs. We are nervously awaiting the end of the game. Hundreds of light years away from home and these creatures may yet beat us back through sheer skill of mind...



Emily Wing
Prelude to Victory
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://emily-wing.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Exkons were named for escaping their dimension and infiltrating our world and for their semi-external skeletal structure. The Mecha named Tanker is set to counter-attack Exkons with both a sword and super speed with its tread-ed feet.



Andy Leon
Among Giants
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://andy-leon.tumblr.com
http://instagram.com/andyleonart
ENTRY BACK STORY:
There once were quite dawns in the green fields. The creatures, we now call ReD, came from the depths of the mines. They are immune to all forms of defense. We had soon prayed away our faith...that is until the savior, our Mecha, LIGHT, was born...



Amanda Holyoak
The Echinocarp
MEDIUM: Photoshop
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://mirored-minds.net/kogarashi/
ENTRY BACK STORY:
On February 7, 1904, a small meteorite was discovered on the outskirts of Concorde, Massachusetts. When it taken to nearby MIT for analysis, it was found to contain several viable larvae of an unknown, insectoid species. While trying to extract them an “accident” occurred, and in the confusion one of the larvae escaped and found its way to Quincy Bay. The incident was forgotten, until the creature returned in late 2014 to feast upon its birth city, and to spawn. Its voracious appetite earned it the name Echinocarpus phagopolis (“spiny-bodied city-eater”), which the press quickly shortened to “The Echinocarp.



ToriKat
Unexpected Terrors
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://torikat2.tumblr.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
After years of training, three friends are finally going into battle piloting their respective armored units. They're eager to prove themselves as heroes. Unfortunately, their enemies are so...adorable. Can they bring themselves to overlook the large eyes and playful demeanor to take down these over-sized fuzzy terrors? Or will they be toyed with until they're buried or swatted into some dark crevice, never to be found again?



Shattered-Earth
From the Depths
MEDIUM: Digital (PS CS5)
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://shattered-earth.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Regret comes in many forms, sometimes as a giant mechanical beast borne from the tools of wars past... oops!Time for humans to fight back with their own land-bred lovable Kaiju!



ALL OTHER ENTRIES

Flint Foxfire
Mecha Brisk
MEDIUM: colored pencil and a little digital work
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
N/A
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Mecha Brisk was created as animatronic angel dragon for a movie, until she gained a consciousness and escaped. now she is only seen at night and only on security cameras at local businesses.



Hop-is-my-Hero
Mine's Bigger then Yours: A look back at the beginning of the escalation
MEDIUM:
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://hop-is-my-hero.deviantart.com/
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Every battle has to start somewhere just so happens that for these guys it happens over blocks. An escalation of a childhood rivalry.



Syo
The Battle for Neo-Boston
MEDIUM: Digital medium, utilizing Surface Pro with Photoshop CS6
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://syo-senpai.deviantart.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
In the not so distant future, Neo-Boston is the shining and iconic city of the North East. Little unbeknownst to most, there are two powerful rivals in a war for control of the city, to change it as they see fit. On one side is the largest gang in the city: the Kaiju-jin, lead by the Kaihime Valeska--willing to do anything to accomplish her goals. On the other is the Metro-Mecha Force's crowning jewel Adalia-Taichou who believes her legal way is right. Which one will become victorious and change the future of Neo-Boston?



Caitlyn Edwards
Hanbun and Maro
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
greenmeansgo4ever@msn.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Hanbun and Maro were told that they would be archrivals. They would fight from dusk until dawn. Secretly the two met to talk about silly things like how cold the water in the bay was or what new building was being constructed. As they grew up, taller than any building in the city, their parents were either disassembled or retreated to the sea. The first day that they were on their own they met in the light of the setting sun. On that autumn day two meant-to-be enemies became friends.



Elisa Cook
Downtown Battle Ground
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://butterfly-kitsune.deviantart.com/
ENTRY BACK STORY:
A sleepy city is awoken by a deep roar and an earthshaking rumble. When they peer out their windows they find two giants battling it out just a few feet away! A nightmare to some while others its a dream come true, I mean come on who wouldn't want to see a giant dinosaur take on a brilliant mecha dragon!!



Andy Leon
The Arrived in Light
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://andy-leon.tumblr.com
http://instagram.com/andyleonart
ENTRY BACK STORY:
This is the light of death. The flesh and teeth that devoured all and any in its path. This is not the light of heaven but of hell.



Charlene Luna
Okean-Zver
MEDIUM: Acrylic Paint
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
N/A
ENTRY BACK STORY:
She is the ocean and her name is Okean-zver, and her beauty is beyond any other, that it frightens any soul to lay eyes on it. The features she beholds are like a dragon and strength of a million water demons. Okean-zver is known for destruction, her temper, and attacking her enemies: humans. The humans were the ones that killed the last of Okean-zver kind and for that she seeks revenge. Rage fills Okean-zver’s heart of ice and her only purpose in life is to kill all the humans that took away the only treasure she ever loved: her species.



Chelsea Sachs-Mishalanie
Monsters of Our Own
MEDIUM:Watercolor and Copic Marker
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://www.medleysoup.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Enough was enough. Their anthills destroyed, their brothers and sisters crushed underfoot, or left as burned husks in the wake of the magnifying glass. The colony couldn't live like this. The Kaiju, “Timmy”, wasn't going away. They needed to do something, to fight back! The Queen looked around the room at the members of the council, her face grim. “Is there nothing we can do to drive the beast away?” A solitary ant towards the back of the room stood up, hesitated for a moment, and cleared his throat. “... I have an idea.”



Joshua D. Altobelli
Battle in Boston: Original
MEDIUM: Acrylic and Oil Paints
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://www.zhephskyre.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
These are two Kyju fighting a giant robot in Boston. A secret organization called "Manticore" composed of outlaws from all over the world have been illegally creating various living test subjects with splicing DNA of various creatures and cybernetic technology. Their goal was to sell these test subjects as weapons of mass destruction to the highest bidder. Unfortunately for all, they were not able to keep these abominations under control, and now these monsters "Cenimatis" and "Xynodon" bring destruction wherever they go. Our only hope is this giant mecha suit the world governments helped create together, the Omega Avenger.



Tatiana Armstead
Game Over
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://tatiarmstead.wix.com/tatianaillustration
ENTRY BACK STORY:
The artwork is meant to represent a video game about a Mecha VS a Kaiju. Video games play an important role in my art and I wanted to represent that side of my art.



KittySwish
Opalescence
MEDIUM: Marker and ink
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
Xcallicocrafts@aim.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
A terrifying creature with large claws and tusks storms through cities with her large opal using it like a mirror to reflect the sun and burn cities. This monster however has a soft spot for other large gems especially opals



Tianna Liu
Cower In Fear of My Tutu
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://crowsfury.tumblr.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Today it would all end. The ultimate battle that had gone on for centuries: Kaiju vs Mecha. The ground shook as they started to fight. Everyone thought that nothing could stop the two of them. When suddenly, something was spotted in the distance. A creature so fearsome that it stopped the two of them mid battle. It was at this moment that Kaiju and Mecha decided to put their differences aside in order to take down the strongest monster ever to be conceived, Mecha Kaiju Ballerina.



Ragond
End Game
MEDIUM: Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
http://ragond.deviantart.com
ENTRY BACK STORY:
After a fierce battle throughout the day the beast emerged victorious.



Frankie B Washington
Robot god Akamatsu - Atlantis Fall
MEDIUM: Pen, Ink, Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
frankiebwashington@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/frankiebwash
https://www.facebook.com/fbwashington
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Robot God Akamatsu is a homage to the super robot genre of the late 1970′s and early 1980′s, which helped to shape the imagination of an entire generation. When other-dimensional giant monsters (Dai-Kaijus and NecroBeasts), lead by the malevolent Balan Uru attack legendary Atlantis, Robot God Akamatsu (RGA for short) it's defender fights valiantly against the threats. But the final battle with Dai-Kaiju Gorugon proves to be too devastating, resulting in the sinking of Atlantis.



Frankie B Washington
Robot god Akamatsu - The End
MEDIUM: Pen, Ink, Digital
FIND THE ARTIST AT:
frankiebwashington@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/frankiebwash
https://www.facebook.com/fbwashington
ENTRY BACK STORY:
Robot God Akamatsu is a homage to the super robot genre of the late 1970′s and early 1980′s, which helped to shape the imagination of an entire generation. When other-dimensional giant monsters (Dai-Kaijus and NecroBeasts), lead by the malevolent Balan Uru attack Massachusetts, Robot God Akamatsu (RGA for short) is awakened from his ancient slumber by modern science. RGA is piloted by the souls of three special humans and entrusted with the fate of defending the Earth!