Here's What You Should Watch to Get Into Gundam
Gundam can be an intimidating franchise to get into. But these anime are the perfect place to start.
High Grade (HG): The Gateway Drug
Every Gundam addiction starts somewhere, and for most builders, that somewhere is a High Grade kit. Introduced in 1990, High Grades are the Toyota Corollas of the Gundam world - reliable, affordable, and everywhere. Typically priced between $15-30, these 1/144 scale kits (making them about 5 inches tall) are the perfect starting point for newcomers.
What makes HG kits special? For one, there are hundreds of them. If a mobile suit appeared on screen for more than three seconds in any Gundam series, it... Probably has an HG model. From the original RX-78-2 to obscure background suits from Build Fighters, the lineup is mind-blowingly diverse.
Modern High Grades have come a long way from their ancestors. Current HG kits feature:
- Snap-fit construction
- Decent articulation
- Relatively simple color separation
- Around 100-150 parts
- Completion time of 2-4 hours
The biggest drawback? Color accuracy. While Bandai has improved dramatically over the years, you'll still find pieces molded in a single color when they should have multiple colors. Those knee vents that should be gray? They're the same white plastic as the leg. That's where panel lining and stickers come in (or painting, if you're feeling spicy).
Worth noting is the sub-category of HGUC (High Grade Universal Century), which specifically covers models from the original timeline. When someone refers to "modern HGs," they're usually talking about these post-2010 kits that have significantly better engineering than their 90s counterparts.
BUY THE RX-78-2 (REVIVE) ON AMAZON
Real Grade (RG): The Transformer Of Gundam Kits
Ask any experienced builder about their first Real Grade kit, and you'll likely hear something like: "Amazing detail, but why won't this arm stay attached?" Introduced in 2010 as the 30th anniversary line, Real Grades attempt to pack Master Grade quality into a High Grade size.
These 1/144 scale kits (same size as HG) contain an inner skeletal frame called the "Advanced MS Joint," which was revolutionary when it debuted. This pre-molded inner frame allows for incredible articulation and detail in a compact package. Early RGs were both amazing and frustrating, like trying to balance mechanical engineering excellence with the structural integrity of a house of cards.
Modern RGs have thankfully solved most stability issues. Current Real Grades feature:
- Around 300+ parts in a small package
- Pre-molded inner frames (in earlier kits) or built frame sections (in newer ones)
- Exceptional color separation with minimal stickers
- Micro-surface detail that makes parts look like metal
- Completion time of 5-8 hours
- Price range of $30-45
The most significant evolution came with what fans call "RG 2.0", starting with the RG Unicorn in 2017, Bandai redesigned the inner frame to prioritize stability over gimmicks. Models like the RG Nu Gundam, Sazabi, and Hi-Nu are widely considered some of the best Gunpla kits ever made, regardless of grade.
If you're new to RGs, start with kits released after 2017. Your sanity will thank you.
Master Grade (MG): The Goldilocks Zone
If High Grades are too simple and Perfect Grades are too expensive, Master Grades hit the sweet spot. Introduced in 1995, MGs are 1/100 scale (about 7-8 inches tall) and represent the perfect balance of detail, price, and build experience.
Master Grades are where Bandai's engineers really show off. These kits feature:
- Full inner frames built piece by piece
- Excellent articulation and stability
- Detailed mechanical parts like pistons and hydraulics
- Around 300-600 parts
- Completion time of 8-15 hours
- Price range of $45-90
The MG line has evolved dramatically over its nearly 30-year history. Early Master Grades seem primitive compared to modern offerings, with the evolution visible in sub-categories like MG Ver. Ka (designed by mecha design legend Katoki Hajime) and MG 2.0 (updated versions of older kits with modern engineering).
Notable standouts include the MG Sazabi Ver. Ka (basically small architecture at this point), MG Barbatos (with a frame that mimics the anime's skeleton), and the MG Dynames (which somehow includes a tiny articulated figure that can actually aim its sniper rifle).
The best part about Master Grades? They're massive enough to feel like an achievement when completed but won't consume your entire month (or apartment) like larger grades.
BUY THE Psycho Zaku (Ver. Ka) ON AMAZOn
Perfect Grade (PG): The Mortgage-Worthy Showstoppers
Remember the first time you saw a Perfect Grade kit in person? That moment of "wait, that's a model?" Followed immediately by "how much does it cost?!"
Perfect Grades represent the absolute pinnacle of Bandai's engineering capabilities. Introduced in 1998 with the PG RX-78-2, these 1/60 scale behemoths (about 12 inches tall) are less model kits and more plastic monuments to obsession.
What makes Perfect Grades special:
- Incredible detail down to hydraulic pistons and sliding armor panels
- LED light-up features (usually sold separately, because of course)
- Metal parts in select locations for durability and weight
- Around 600-1000+ parts
- Intricately detailed inner frames visible through armor gaps
- Construction time of 20-40 hours (spread over days or weeks)
- Price range of $150-300+
Building a Perfect Grade feels more like small-scale engineering than a hobby. These kits often include features like working hatches, fully articulated hands with individual fingers, removable armor panels, and cockpits with seated pilot figures.
You’ll see me use Gundam and Gunpla pretty interchangeably. Technically, Gundam is the anime, and Gunpla is the model kit. But most fans blur the line, and honestly, so do I!
The most impressive PG kits include the Perfect Grade Unleashed RX-78-2 (a 2020 reimagining that makes the original look like a Happy Meal toy), the PG Unicorn (which transforms and includes LEDs for psycho-frame illumination), and the absolutely massive PG Strike Freedom (with wingspan large enough to dominate any display).
Once you build a Perfect Grade, regular models might feel disappointingly simple. This is how people end up with multiple PGs despite swearing "just this one" when buying their first.
BUY THE PG STRIKE FREEDOM ON AMAZON
Super Deformed (SD): The Adorable Outlier
Not every Gundam needs to look intimidating. SD kits transform fearsome mobile suits into cute, chibi versions with massive heads and stubby limbs. Standing at around 3 inches tall, these kits provide instant gratification with build times under an hour.
SD kits are divided into various sub-lines, with the most common being:
- SD Gundam World (the original line)
- SD Sangokuden (based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms)
- SDCS (Cross Silhouette, a newer line with improved proportions)
- SDEX (Standard)
The newer SDCS line deserves special mention for introducing a frame system that allows builders to choose between traditional super-deformed proportions or a slightly more balanced look.
Priced between $10-20, SDs are perfect for:
- Quick builds between larger projects
- Builders with limited display space
- Testing paint schemes before committing to larger kits
- Children or beginners intimidated by more complex models
- People who appreciate the inherent humor of a war machine with a massive adorable head
BUY THE SD VERSION OF RX-78-2 ON AMAZON
RE/100 (Reborn One Hundred): The Forgotten Middle Child
Imagine you want a big 1/100 scale kit, but don't need all the inner frame complexity of a Master Grade. That's where RE/100 comes in. Bandai's solution for obscure mobile suits that wouldn't justify full MG treatment.
Introduced in 2014, RE/100 kits are essentially "High Grade 1/100" models:
- 1/100 scale with simplified construction
- No full inner frame
- Cheaper than MGs ($35-50)
- Focuses on mobile suits from side stories or less popular series
- Good articulation despite simplified engineering
These kits fill a crucial niche, bringing obscure designs like the Hamma Hamma, Gun EZ, and Bawoo to 1/100 scale without the development costs of a full Master Grade. They're the perfect choice for Universal Century fans or those of you who are into obscure mobile suits.
BUY THE GUN EZ MODEL ON AMAZON
Premium Bandai (P-Bandai): The FOMO Factory
While not a grade itself, P-Bandai deserves mention as the exclusive release channel that drives collectors to financial ruin. These limited-edition kits span all grades but share one trait: artificial scarcity that makes you panic-buy before resellers triple the price.
P-Bandai releases typically feature:
- Alternate colors or equipment for existing kits
- Minor retooling of standard releases
- Side story or obscure mobile suits
- Pre-order windows that close faster than you can say "Char Aznable"
- Price premiums of 20-40% over standard releases
The P-Bandai system used to be a nightmare for Western builders, requiring Japanese proxy services and obscene shipping costs. Thankfully, Bandai now operates official P-Bandai stores worldwide, though the exclusivity remains.
Word of advice: If you see a P-Bandai kit you want, buy it immediately. That "I'll get it later" mindset leads directly to watching eBay auctions with tears in your eyes.
Mega Size: When Bigger Is Better
Sometimes normal-sized Gundams just don't cut it. For those occasions, Bandai created the Mega Size line, simplified 1/48 scale monsters standing around 15 inches tall.
Despite their impressive size, Mega Size kits are engineered for simplicity:
- Approximately 200-300 parts (surprisingly few for the size)
- Limited color separation
- Basic inner structure (not a full frame)
- Completion time of 3-5 hours
- Price range of $80-120
Only a handful of designs have received the Mega Size treatment, primarily protagonist suits like the RX-78-2, Unicorn, and Zaku II. They make incredible statement pieces but lack the detail of smaller premium grades – think of them as giant High Grades rather than scaled-up Master Grades.
BUY THE MEGA SIZE ZAKU II ON AMAZON
Entry Grade (EG): The True Beginner's Gateway
The newest grade in Bandai's lineup, Entry Grade represents the company's attempt to create truly beginner-friendly kits with modern engineering. Launched in 2020, these 1/144 scale models prioritize simplicity without sacrificing quality.
Entry Grades feature:
- Remarkably good color separation without stickers
- Runner gates (connection points) placed in less visible areas
- Extremely simple construction requiring no tools
- Surprisingly good articulation
- Completion time of 30-60 minutes
- Budget-friendly pricing ($10-15)
The RX-78-2 Entry Grade became something of a phenomenon among experienced builders for achieving impressive color accuracy and articulation despite its entry-level price point. These kits prove that "beginner-friendly" doesn't necessarily mean "low quality."
No Grade (NG): The Time Capsules
"No Grade" isn't an official classification, so to speak, but rather what builders call older kits released before the grade system existed. These vintage kits from the 80s and early 90s are best viewed as historical artifacts rather than something you'd actually want to build (unless you enjoy pain).
Characteristics of vintage No Grades:
- Often require glue
- Minimal articulation (sometimes just at the shoulders and neck)
- Simplified color schemes requiring extensive painting
- Visible seam lines that would make modern builders cringe
- Historical value for collectors
Which Grade Is Right For You?
After all this information, you might still be wondering which grade you should actually buy. Here's a quick recommendation guide:
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The beauty of Gunpla is that there's no wrong answer... Except continuing to stare at that online shopping cart instead of actually building something. The best grade is whichever one gets you clicking that "buy" button and experiencing the unique satisfaction that comes from transforming runners of plastic into a posable piece of mecha art.
No matter which grade you choose, there's always another kit waiting after this one. That's both a warning and a promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between grade and scale?
Scale refers to the physical size ratio compared to the "real" mobile suit. 1/144 means the model is 1/144th the size of the fictional mecha (making most HGs around 5 inches tall). Grade, on the other hand, refers to the complexity, engineering quality, and detail level of the kit, regardless of size. You can have different grades at the same scale (HG and RG are both 1/144) or the same grade at different scales (like the rare 1/60 High Grades versus regular 1/144 HGs).
What's the difference between stickers, decals, and waterslides? Which should I use?"
Stickets are those pre-cut adhesive pieces that come free with most kits. They're super easy to apply, but also have visible edges, limited durability, and they can yellow over time. Decals are something you'll find in the more high-end kits. They don't have any visible edges, but you only have one shot at putting the on, and they're super limited in number. Waterslide decals are sort of like the final boss here, and are almost invisible when you apply them properly, even on curved surfaces. The only downside is that you're going to need a lot of skill, as well as tools like a mark setter to put them on.
I'm completely overwhelmed. Just tell me: what's the one kit I should start with?
If you want a single, definitive recommendation that has stood the test of time, I'd say go for the HG RX-78-2 Gundam (The Origin Version). It's sort of the big-daddy of beginner kits, seeing how it has great affordability, excellent articulation, decent articulation, and is available pretty much everywhere. It should be a great starting point without necessarily overwhelming you with too many pieces emptying your wallet. The perfect kickoff point, in my opinion.
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