Mr. Hobby vs Tamiya:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Tamiya had more branded searches than Mr. Hobby among model paint brands in New Zealand. Tamiya had about 720 branded searches, while Mr. Hobby had 50. Tamiya made up 52.2% of all model paint brand searches we track, and Mr. Hobby accounted for 3.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about model paint brands, Tamiya appeared in all five answers and Mr. Hobby in three. Tamiya was mentioned before Mr. Hobby in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Tamiya, about 14 searches for every 1 for Mr. Hobby
Who does AI mention more?
Tamiya, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Tamiya, named ahead of Mr. Hobby in every answer
Follow Mr. Hobby vs Tamiya and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top model paint brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Tamiya appeared in all five answers. Mr. Hobby was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Tamiya was listed before Mr. Hobby in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Vallejo1st- Tamiya2nd
AK Interactive3rd- Mr. Hobby4th
Citadel5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Tamiya5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Vallejo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- AK Interactive5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Citadel3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Mr. Hobby3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about model paint brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which model paint brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best model paint brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best model paint brand in New Zealand for a hobby project?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best model paint”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“model paint brands nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Mr. Hobby or Tamiya more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mr. Hobby and Tamiya by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five model paint brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Tamiya, Mr. Hobby. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tamiya | Vallejo | Citadel | AK Interactive | Mr. Hobby |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46.8% | 30.2% | 13.5% | 5.6% | 4% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.6% | 28.6% | 11.8% | 7.6% | 2.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.7% | 29% | 14.5% | 4.8% | 2.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.5% | 33.5% | 13.5% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.2% | 28.3% | 14.2% | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.4% | 35.3% | 15.1% | 5% | 2.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.7% | 29.5% | 13.2% | 7% | 4.7% |
| May 2026 | 47.1% | 34.6% | 11.1% | 4.6% | 2.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 50% | 26.3% | 14.4% | 5.9% | 3.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.1% | 27% | 12.1% | 6.4% | 3.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.3% | 31.5% | 11.4% | 6% | 2.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.2% | 29% | 10.1% | 5.1% | 3.6% |
How has the Mr. Hobby and Tamiya comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Tamiya was ahead of Mr. Hobby in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mr. Hobby’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand moved from 4% to 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 50.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tamiya’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand moved from 46.8% to 52.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 590 to 720.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand model paint brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Tamiya gained share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand, from 48.3% to 52.2%.
In September 2026, Mr. Hobby gained share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand, from 2.7% to 3.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mr. Hobby’s and Tamiya’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among model paint brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.