Gundam Modelkits FAQ
Gundam Modelkits FAQ
Gunpla Grades
No Grade (NG):
- It was first released in 1980.
- Applied to multiple 1/144 and 1/100 Gunpla that are not categorized with the Grade System.
- Limited in articulation, requires glue, and paint to complete the look.
- Suitable for vintage toys collector
First Grade (FG):
- Introduced in 1990.
- A line of 1/144 scale kits from Universal Century(UC) and Anno Domini(AD) timeline.
- Original line was part of the Gundam 20th Anniversary Big Bang Project in 1999.
- Molded in one color and have no polycaps.
- Features a snap-fit assembly.
- The second incarnation was released in 2007 for the first season of Gundam 00.
- Kits molded in multiple colors.
- First incarnation suitable for vintage toys collector.
- The second incarnation is very beginner friendly.
High Grade (HG):
- Introduced in 1990.
- Scales at 1/144.
- Variety of choices to pick. Almost every incarnation of Gundam and Zeon mobile suits has an HG.
- Molded in multiple colors, earlier kits have minimal detail but have improved on the newest releases.
- Suitable for beginners in terms of straight build and to start customizing.
Master Grade (MG):
- Introduced in 1995.
- Scales at 1/100.
- Wide range of selections to pick from, and have two sub-categories: Master Grade Ver. Ka. (MG Ver.Ka.) & Master Grade Extreme(MGEX)
- Kits have an inner frame, moving mechanical parts, and great parts and color separation armors.
- Suitable for beginner and intermediate builders.
Real Grade (RG):
- Introduced in 2010.
- Scales at 1/144.
- Love child of MG and HG.
- Introduce the Advanced MS Joints, a pre-molded inner frame. But ditch the inner frame in the newer release.
- Retain the same details as the MG but on an HG scale.
- Suitable for intermediate and advanced builders. But beginner builders shouldn’t be afraid to start with a newer release RG.
Perfect Grade (PG):
- Introduced in 1998.
- Scales at 1/60.
- Packs in a lot of details such as a realistic inner frame, tons of mechanical movement, superb color separation, unique gimmicks, opening hatches, and some kits have sold separate LED.
- Currently, 19 kits are available.
- In 2020, to celebrate the culmination of 40 years of Gunpla history. Bunpla released a new PG line called PGU(Perfect Grade Unleashed).
- The next step of Gunpla technology.
- More details from the normal PG.
- Suitable for the advanced builder since it needs a lot of time to assemble the kit.
Super Deformed (SD):
- Introduced in the 1980s.
- It is a Non-Scale kit. Was made to look cute/chibi.
- Geared towards children.
- Have a variety of series such as SD Sengokuden, SD Gundam Gaiden, SDX, SDEX, Cross Silhouette, SD World Heroes, etc.
- Minimal details and requires a lot of stickers for part separation.
- Very beginner friendly.
Entry Grade (EG):
- Scales at 1/144.
- The first incarnation was introduced in 2011 in China. Marketed to emerging markets in Asia.
- Similar to First Grade or No Grade 1/144.
- Contain no polycaps and are molded in three colors.
- Each kit comes with a part separator.
- Limited to neck, shoulders, hips, and ankles articulation.
- Bandai rebooted the line in 2020.
- Features advanced color separation, articulation, and proportions.
- Runner gates are thin and can be removed by hand.
- Rebooted version is catered towards beginners and is a great kit to learn and practice customizing.
Megasize (MSM):
- Introduced in 2009.
- Scales at 1/48. The biggest commercial Gunpla.
- Basically an oversize HG.
- The runner gates are thin enough to separate the parts without any nipper, and Bandai also develops a way to “sandwich” the runner together for ease of build.
- Suitable for beginner and intermediate builders.
Reborn 1/100 (RE100):
- Introduced in 2014.
- A line for Bandai to release more obscure mobile suits such as Nightingale, Gundam Gerbera, Gundam Mk-3, Hamma-Hamma, etc.
- Not as complex as the MG line. The same level of detail as MG but no full inner frame.
- Suitable for beginner and intermediate builders.
High-Resolution Model (Hi-Res Model):
- Introduced in 2016.
- Line of 1/100 Gunpla kits of the Mobile Suits in the Gundam metaseries.
- Consist of a pre-assembled skeletal inner frame.
- The runners of the armor pieces are glossy and metallic finish.
- Inner frame is made in China while the outer armor pieces are made in Japan.
- Some kits feature diecast metal parts.
- Suitable for advanced builders.
Full Mechanics (FM):
- Established in 2021.
- Feature certain mobile suits on a 1/100 scale.
- Separate from MG and RE 1/100.
- Covers from the timeline outside of the Universal Century.
- FM has hosted other mecha anime series such as Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans, Amaim Warrior at the Borderline, and Gundam Witch from Mercury.
- Suitable for beginner and intermediate builders.
Bust:
- Officially 3 lines released.
- Formania was released in 2010. Only three busts (Nu, Sazabi, Zephyranthes Full Burnern).
- Feature opening hatches, LED light-up features, and two articulated LED spotlights.
- Gundam Factory Yokohama. Released in 2021.
- Model Kit bust, to celebrate the opening of Gundam Factory in Yokohama.
- 1/48 scale.
- Ultimate Mechanix, released in 2022. Only one release (Unicorn).
- Part bust, part model kit, transformable, and various LED functions.
- Suitable for intermediate and advanced builders.
Hobby Tools for Gunpla
Essential (Straight build):
- Side cutter or nipper to cut the part out from the runner.
- Hobby knife to trim/shave any access nub marks.
- Sandpaper to sand the nub marks smooth for a more smooth surface.
- Tweezer for ease of use while applying sticker decals.
- Panel line pen to add more contrast to the kit.
Non-essential (Customs and painting):
- Scriber set and scribe guide tape.
- Part separator.
- Masking tape.
- Alligator clip.
- Airbrush and compressor.
- Thinners.
- Paint booth.
Bandai Red vs Blue Logo
- In 2018 Bandai Co., Ltd split into 2 companies.
- Bandai(Red logo) and Bandai Spirits(Blue logo).
- Bandai will focus on toy products aimed at younger demographics and other markets such as confectionery, trading cards, and apparel.
- Bandai Spirits will focus on a more mature collector demographic, these would be model kits, collectible figure products, and lottery items from Ichiban Kuji.
- Items released prior to September 2019 products shipped by Bandai Spirits will gradually be switched over to the new logo, item number, and UPC.
- There are no changes in the product besides the new logo, item number, and UPC.