What is Gunpla?

Gundam Models refers to plastic and non-plastic model kits depicting the mechas, vehicles and characters of the fictional Mobile Suit Gundam universe. These kits have become popular among anime fans and model-lovers, especially in Japan and in other nearby Asian countries since 1980s. The popularity of Gundam models increased in the 1990s with North America and Europe being exposed to Gundam through television, video and manga. These Gundam Models may also be called Gunpla (ガンプラ Ganpura?), a portmanteau of "Gundam plastic model". "Gunpla" more commonly refers to the practice of building Gundam models, rather than the models themselves.

Scales and grades

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Entry Grade(EG)
In 2011, Bandai released the Entry Grade (EG) line, a low-cost model series that replaces the 1:144 NG and FG lines. Unlike other kits of the same scale, all EG kits are made in China.

Super Deformed(SD)
Not based on any particular scale, the super-deformed style features comically-proportioned models, the most noticeable features of which are teir very large heads. Super Deformed Gundam kits are often very easy to construct but offer very limited articulation and require paint and detailing to truly "finish" the kit. The most famous line is the BB Senshi (or "SD GUNDAM BB Warriors" in English). There are also separate product lines: for instance, Superior Defender Gundam Force and Ganso SD Gundam (discontinued in the 1990s). Most kits of this line are from the Musha Gundam series and the Knight Gundam series.

1:144 scale/HG/RG
The very first kits have been running for 30 years (starting with RX-78-2 Gundam) and are routinely re-released by Bandai. As these kits are limited in articulation and require glue (for the early kits) and paint to assemble, these have retroactively been categorized as NG (No Grade), to differentiate them from FG (First Grade).
During the mid- to late-1980s, the quality of molding improved and HG (High Grade) level kits were introduced in 1990, starting from the titular mobile suits of the first four TV series. These limited-run kits featured full snap fit assembly, an "internal frame" (for the first two kits, which provides better range of motion and were more poseable), and utilized the molding technique known as System Injection, wherein multiple colors would be cast on the same part.

In 2010, Real Grade (RG) surpasses HG as the top-end series of the 1:144 Gunpla line. The kits feature extensive detail and articulation, as well as a poseable skeletal frame comparable to the 1:100 Master Grade kits. The first RG kit is the 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam, with the second being the 1/144 MS-06S Char's Zaku II coming out sometime in November.

1:100 scale/MG
Just like the 1:144 scale model kits, these kits started about the same time with the very first 1:144 model kits, again starting from RX-78-2 Gundam. "Generic" 1:100 kits may also be called "No-Grade" (NG 1:100) to differentiate from other specific 1:100 kits. Later kits (from Turn-A Gundam onwards) are clearly inspired from the post-HG 1:100 kits and features a similar (or greater) level of quality and detail.
Beginning with Victory Gundam in 1993, the HG line would shift to relatively well detailed larger scale kits in the 1:100 scale. There were need for little painting and detailing. These applied for the 1:100 scale models produced between 1993 and 1998, including Victory Gundam, G Gundam, Gundam Wing, Gundam X, and New Mobile Report: Gundam Wing Endless Waltz. Each TV series would receive on average between 6 to 8 models in this scale and grade.

Master Grade (MG) models were first introduced in the summer of 1995, designed and made to higher standards than most other models. These take much longer to construct and are often much more expensive than their lower-grade counterparts. These kits consists of features similar to those of the HG and HGUC but better. This line of plastic kits was the first to feature a movable inner frame system which enables extensive movement and bending of joints. The popularity of this line was so great that a lot of old and new kits from non-graded series were cast as Master Grade models. The vast majority of MG offerings are from Gundam, with the rest coming from mechas in Patlabor and Dunbine, as well as character figures of Dragonball Z, Kamen Rider W, and One Piece (under the name of MG Figurerise). As the MG line has become a symbol of Gunpla, Bandai released another lineup called Real Robot Revolution (R3), for the non-Gundam type real robots like Layzner and L-Gaim, made using their experience in MG model production.

1:60 scale/PG
Bandai release 1:60 scales to the main mecha of major TV series. These are non grades or TV grades models, and the main line of 1:60 scale. Early 1:60 kits, like other scales, where simply a bigger version of the smaller scales. In the early to mid 90's, 3 High Grade EX models of V2 Gundam, Shining Gundam and God Gundam from the V Gundam series and G Gundam series where release, featuring more details and gimmicks than its smaller counter parts. Bandai also created a much more detailed series of figures. The Perfect Grade (also known as PG) model kits come in standard 1:60 scale but are superbly detailed in terms of color and its inner frame, as well as normally possessing more points of articulation, such as hands that articulate at the knuckles. Perfect Grade kits were mainly used for developing new plastic model technologies, a function currently taken over by the Master Grade series, and typically need a few years to develop each kit.

1:35 scale/UCHG
Universal Century HardGraph does not primarily center around the humanoids of the Gundam universe. Rather, it centers on military things on a more conventional scale such as land vehicles, tanks and troops. However, some kits do include detailed to-scale mecha parts which are particularly useful for the creation of dioramas. For instance, the Anti-MS Squad kit includes an articulated lower Gundam arm.

Other/Mixed Scales
There are various other scales, like the Mega Grade's 1:48, the Speed Grade's 1:200. These scales are less dominant in the Gundam Model line.
A 1:400 scale model line is designed for large mobile armours and battle ships in the Gundam Collection line, which the line's ordinary mobile suits are figures, not models. Only extremely large units like Mobile Armours and Warships need assembly. These models are pre-coloured models, and the warships need minimal assemble. An earlier line of model, the High Grade Mechanics, with a scale of 1:550 held a similar function in introducing large mobile units, but the line only consist of 3 mobile units from 0083.
Another high-detail line is the EX model, in scales of 1:144 and 1:100 (non-humanoid units like aircraft) and 1:1600/1:1700 (spaceships), ranging from the Universal Century to Cosmic Era productions. This series is not Gundam-exclusive, having models from other series like some of the jet aircraft from Sentō Yōsei Yukikaze and at least one aircraft from Ace Combat 5.

Special Editions
Over the years, Bandai released special limited editions of various kits, usually as competition (such as the yearly Bandai Action Kits Asia (now Universal) Cup held in Hong Kong) prizes, or as an event-limited (such as Japanese toy expos, movie launch premieres) item, although sometimes these kits are sold as limited web-shop items or discreetly sold by Bandai. These kits usually come in clear plastic, metal-plated (certain kits are in so-called 24-k gold finish), "gloss-finish", "pearl-finish", "titanium-finish", or any combination of these. Their prices are usually much higher than their regular-release counterparts.

Non Plastic
Bandai has also released some Gundam garage kit under their branch, B-Club. These models are composed of unpainted resin with no decals provided, often needing modification by the modeler due to the inherent properties of the manufacturing process. While comparably more expensive (some surpassing $400) compared to plastic kits, they offer an unparalleled level of detail for the dedicated and experienced model builder.
A few select kits have also appeared manufactured from metal. These kits are offered by several different manufacturers and most commonly will result in a finished model of about MG level.
These types of models (real detail) usually take days to build.

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Related Links

Gunpla News

Other categories of model kits available in this forum

This post has been edited by nazrul90: Jan 12 2013, 07:42 AM

urghh, foil stickers for MG Tailgeese

Fuuu.. V28!!

Finished my FA *Rawr*


Displayed with his arch enemy


Now I need a Banshee!!!

This post has been edited by leoleonheart: Jan 12 2013, 08:43 AM

u mean this??

lawa

Haha.. Yah.. But so far the banshee model don't really attract me.. Maybe I will wait until episode 6 comes out first then only see got any new models..

Did u panel line the horns? Nice..

Respam my TF

Anyone can help me where can I find the bazooka's for my Sinanju?

yup panel line wif enamel grey
havent decal and gloss coat yet damn lazy
the horn there bdai jz give sticker haiz if they make 1 more extra part to replace the sticker at the horn then will be nice
if out new MG banshee then change equipment like the full armor unicorn

nice titanium sinanju!! even without panel line oso looks nice..the emblem there done wif painting?

This post has been edited by swx999: Jan 12 2013, 11:35 AM

This new banshee might be something you like, release in march.

http://www.gunjap.net/site/?p=112192

I pretty sure Af-hobby have the bazooka.

Want spam also


This post has been edited by Khai62: Jan 12 2013, 11:36 AM

the new banshee starting i thought wats the long thing behind him now only realize its the shield, it looks weird
UC series want to match wif Zeta fever? it looks like a plane after putting the shield behind

Where the hell do those two huge yellow stickers go? I don't mind the others since stickers that small are easily substituted by Gundam marker, but those yellow ones look silly for a MG.

I guessing it will be for the booster fins.

No leh.. its just decal.. If I know how to paint maybe will be like this..

http://gundamguy.blogspot.com/2012/06/mg-1...u-w-rocket.html


At least its got an extra shield.. I was thinking maybe they could improve the colours or change the colour of the phychoframe..

I pretty sure Af-hobby have the bazooka.

Thanks you.. let me check out Af hobby..

This post has been edited by leoleonheart: Jan 12 2013, 12:13 PM

Bandai just announced the HGUC Banshee Norn in March. My question... Is the huge shield design similar to the 1/100 one offered as an add-on for the MG Unicorn OVA / ver. Ka?

from the look of it I think so
now need to know whether this is green or yellow psychoframe

yellow sticker location spotted



plain white looks better rather that putting that sticker

same case with HG Arios when the fin at knee they decide to give foil stickers
but for 1/100 they make it separate and color molded

why cant they do same for MG Tailgeese?

If it's pure yellow I don't mind too as can easily paint it
but if it's orange yellow like UC series then it'll be a problem getting the colours right

it does look the same, but can't confirm yet

because Tallgeese fins too puny

if this were 2005 i'll agree but its not. Bandai hav rg zeta; fully transformable at that, I dun think size is a problem for Bandai in 2013 and from the looks of it it isnt small either.

besides there r other technique to overcome small colored area. Take tallgeese shoulder for instance, it has small yellow trim along the edges. They place the yellow piece on the back and overlay the white piece on top to create this trim, surely tey can replicate this technique on the wing....

This post has been edited by TheAdmiral: Jan 12 2013, 06:21 PM

maybe they want to clear their foil sticker paper stock and help stimulate the paint market

Hmm New version V28.. so I can spam my LBX also la haha.. Latest Built.. with some comically view

Title: The fight between PANDORA and VECTOR..

Who will be the champion of the show..~ ting ting..

PANDORA

VECTOR


Pandora VS Vector


FINAL RESULT

ascentic, u finished building all those lbx backlogs yet?

Mahu Pengsan edi.. too many edi ~ haha..

wah liao...so fast new thread already.

1) i was at gamer's arena at e@curve yesterday...pretty awesome deals...you guys should go check it out. got myself 1 /60 wing and MG rx78 OYW

2) everytime i see the banshee's horn i think about the anime "princess momonoke"

What good deal there? Cheaper by how much? How much you got ur PG wing r??

25% off everything and i do mean everything.

The offer still on today is it.?

This post has been edited by crash_99: Jan 13 2013, 03:22 PM

Oh fuk.. Thats a very good deal... KL dam jam lah... >.<

I remember PG not included if I'm not mistaken

Frame Arms kit and selected Kotobukiya SRW kits are at 40% off
while most Kotobukiya kits are at 30% off

Browsing GA websites see got any good gundams then call them see got any discounts...

be warned, most of the good stuffs already sold out
plus that branch's price are higher than GA @ BTS, hence after 25% discount it'll be only like 15% cheaper than GA @ BTS
unless you are nearer to that area than KL, then it won't be worth the transport and time

yesterday I was there, it took me quite some time before deciding any kit was worth to buy
in the end went home with HGUC Anksha, normal price Rm100, after discount Rm75

This post has been edited by General_Nic: Jan 13 2013, 03:45 PM

Oh really.. BTS GA cheaper meh?? I rarely go to ecurve anyway.. Thinking of getting a MG Delta plus.. but the pilot already move on to pilot a Banshee.. so...

Anyone know this kit is any good??

yeah, e@curve about 10% more expensive
and sorry disappoint you, no MG Delta Plus seen

got both ridhe suit, delta+ & banshee. Delta+ all I can say it is a bit fragile & may take you some time to balance it but if you pose it with an action base then u're good to go

e@Curve's outlet does cost higher... but...

I got my MG Delta+ from there, by placing my order to the KL outlet and asked them if I can pickup from e@Curve outlet. They even gave me the same price they selling in KL outlet.

Very good service.

Oh, probably the only hobby shop that doesn't charge you surcharge for credit card transactions?

I assume, Nu ver KA has no discount there? I just bought mine before the close down announcement.

This post has been edited by Harddisk: Jan 13 2013, 04:56 PM

none MG Nu Ver. Ka seen
I assume they already shifted latest and high demand kits to GA @ BTS before starting the sale

bah i missed the sale.. was in johor for the weekend.. their The Store branch there actually throwing some 1000-1200 yen HG and SD for RM30.. along with some sango for RM10
just grabbed these 2 for the heck of it



wanted to go back later for somemore but didn't have time.. oh well

both the RG Zakus are there. RM93each. After 25% discount is RM 69.75. 2 green and 1 red left.

So i have called GA and they say they are out of stock for Delta +.. So i will rethink about it when I see it..

I think their services and prices are very good too...

which the store?

batu pahat, near the bus station

aiya, i tot JB

haha.. sorry but you can check your local The Store.. maybe they have it too.. the clearance is running from 8th to 31st jan

RG MKII owners rejoice!, look like BTF will be releasing Flying Armor and g-Defenser in RG details.



More here!

This post has been edited by Khai62: Jan 13 2013, 09:02 PM

I almost bought the HGUC

dose anyone have experience in Titanium Finish gunpla?
mind to share ?

the sale at GA e@curve until when? or over already?

I think its over.. Haha..

until 15th.... or when stock finishes...i think

I bought the MG Freedom extra finish version a while back.
Didn't like it. Should've bought the normal ones. If you think nub marks looks bad on normal plastic, the look worse on extra finish or whatever finish version.

because the runner are chromed-plated not color mold
I myself dont like the chrome plated on Exia Ignition
but then those nub marks can easily fix with silver marker pen

sell me the base stand.. lol i bought the normal a bit regret

haha...i've bought myself eva01 extra finish some years ago. can't get rid of the nub marks untill today . normal ones + flat top coat is way better looking than any extra/fancy finishes.

Hi, I've got a sinanju TF.. What do you wanna know?

Hmm actually during my Japan trip, I stopped by Asobit City shop in Akiba. I saw they provide service to metallic-coat your model kit (though I'm not sure they coat by runner or by part or both). Is there any similar service in Malaysia?

Do not use Gundam Marker on any Titanium kit...

Haha.. then my Freedom cannot fly anymore.

OT: Want!!!

http://yattarjapan.com/en/2203/

Does the red 'eye' follow the wearer's eye movement? Because that would be awesome! lol

I see this from facebook Gundam.Info.en. Malaysia also got

but need to buy MG Banshee to get 2 coupon

yeah, no thanks with the extra finish. Jesta cannon is a yes
now only need to know which shop will have it first from litt tak

Ok...i was spotting where is the Jesta Cannon shown in the promo ad...the box art is not out yet, so just stated there

So is this limited? First come first serve?

This post has been edited by waikin_31: Jan 14 2013, 02:27 PM

Yup, I think most people will definitely will manage to go. but the only problem is to find a shop which has that coupon. I didn't manage to find in time last year(a bit lazy too)
and last year is more easier, just buy any Unicorn kits. Guess this year more strict

This post has been edited by D-y: Jan 14 2013, 04:35 PM

For me, I'm eyeing for Jesta Canon which will only be in Msia around early Mac...I've had enough of unicorn So have to wait....and by that time, probably no more?

watch in cinema?

Shiatt...i just cut myself... #@$@%@$!@

ANyways...progress tonight...

Yes.. MG Banshee titanium finish.. I want!!! wonder how mch..

It will be yours for RM 460 (i think)

This post has been edited by Khai62: Jan 14 2013, 10:13 PM

fufufufuuuuuuuuuu

Wth.. It's more expensive then my Sinanju TF..

to be honest, the only kit people will probably buy might be rozen zulu in order to get the coupon

might as well just pay normal tickets instead of buying kits you don't like

Searching around (which not many have it now) the lowest i can find was RM 400 from Gwing preorder but still that quite a high price.

There is actually a YouTube video showing him unboxing it.. Not a bad kit.. Alot of hand print I heard.. but no shield..

Really ? because i just check at dalong and look like it have all the parts it need to make the shield but then again you can only fit it at the backpack anyway.

Also some loot...



This post has been edited by Khai62: Jan 15 2013, 12:00 AM

Wow...that PG GP01 how much...really like that...

kinda got some reading this prediction list

just can't imagine hyaku shiki getting an RG treatment
be reminded though this is just someone predictions only

I got it for RM 734 from Gundam.my. At first i thought it will be heavy but it actually light for it size.

I really don't see Loto, Hamarabi, Asshimar and Gaplant are getting MG any time soon or if it ever be, hell i think even most MS that in the 20% range have more chance than them.

This post has been edited by Khai62: Jan 15 2013, 01:08 AM

what?! i have to buy a hguc kit to stand a chance to watch UC ep 6 in cinema?!! i was waiting so bad for ep 6 screening since i missed ep 5 grrrrrr

list pretty much useless since they dont mention MG 2.0 of Gundam Ground Type/ EZ8 / Gouf Custom
hey, the short movie of 8th MS Team will be bundled with BD set which be high chances to milking gunpla too like they did to Seed Remaster

I quite agree with prediction of HGUC FA Unicorn release, though there will be long wait since episode 7's date air dont announce yet
for now, they only highlight HGUC Banshee Norm release for Episode 6

Disagree with his Delta Kai. At best its 60%.

Disagree with his Ashimar n Gaplant. At best its 10%

Completely disagree with his 20% list.
Altron 20%????? If hes gonna be consistent he should put all the rest ew in there or none at all. Doesn't make sense to put just 1 since the rest is equally as milkable/popular
We know GN-X IV has been shelved/canceled it should be lower then 20%.
We know V2 has been stuck in development hell for several years so that also less then 20%.
Gaia 20%, same argument with Altron where is its brethen?
F-king ZAKU WARRIOR??????? Many UC fans hates all incarnation of seed zakus. Unlike the UC counterpart seeds 1 r awful n completely useless. In UC it was piloted by awesome ppl; matsunaga, char, etc etc that accomplish great things including damaging the main character. Seeds? Useless lunamaria that miss every shot she fires, equally useless but slightly better rey, stock footage of yzak n dearka that does nothing but flies around in it, other ppl in it are cannon fodder, use in a concert. It accomplish nothing but disgraces the name zaku; so bad that i dun even remember any memorable scene with it. Correct me if im wrong but in every single battle of minerva, the zakus has to be constantly bailed out by the gundam. If its name was something other than zaku UC fans may not be so displease wit it. Bandai biggest cust is UC fans (and richest too since those fans r now adults with $$$) they will not release something that is so hated upon by its biggest cust. ZAKU WARRIOR absolutely 0%.

Some of his RG list are also farfetch.

^ haha I believe you should separate the design and anime standpoint. Not like whatever pilot who pilot whatever unit will appear in the model kit you built, not to mention many ppl will not even paint the figure if it is included, much less people display the kit with the cockpit open. Yes many UC fans now is adult with $$$, but they are getting older, and new generations nowadays mainly know UC series from Gundam Unicorn only, and might not be interested in older models if they are the kind of fan who only buy model kits of the mecha they like in the anime

MG Delta Kai? I think MG Delta has even higher chances than that

yes design should be separated from the character since not every character is competent hence difference in achievement. Even in UC there r countless of useless ppl in zakus but ppl like char balance it out with his portrayal. Audience kno what it can do in the hands of competent ppl, most of us buys the kit not becuz of hu pilots it anyway (shin musha for instance nobody pilots it) but we kno its cool cuz its portrayal is cool. In the case of destiny if its just luna then its fine she sucks its not an indication of the suit capability, but virtually every single character whether competent or not (yzak n dearka is competent by virtual of their achievement from seed) does nothing in it. Looks cool but portrayal falls flat on its face.

we all agree that anime is for all intent and purposes 50 episodes of 30 minute elongated advertisement to sell kits but if that advertisement fail to show any memorable scene for a kit then that kit is bound to fail; in marketing a product how u present it is important. If its selling point is just its design (which i agree is not too bad looking) then its market will be very narrow from an already narrow fanbase, not many like destiny (many of destiny fans watch it when tey r young but now at this point in time most hav grown up n watch others n can giv a valid comparison hence its drop in popularity ranking, some of its characters r voted in to be the worse most annoying characters too which is inconceivable at the time of its airing) even among seed fans and i dun hav to mention UC fans; tey absolutely loathed it. The reason SF sold well cuz it look cool and it kick ass, the reason Destiny sold well cuz it look cool n put up a good fight, the reason IJ sold well is cuz it look cool and it kick ass. Same with Impulse, Legend and Providence thus i dun disagree with his list for both main antagonist, i dun disagree with the druggies as well i just disagree with its % or lack of its other brethren, however u cant apply the same argument for seed zakus. For this reason i gave it 0% chance.

As an indication just think about this, in every model kit box at the side will hav some action poses to emulate its anime portrayal, what r tey gonna do with seed zakus? showing them exploding??? showing them miss every single shot even though the enemy is just 10 feet away??? showing them get bailed out by gundams??? This is also the main reason why many grunt has not been MG-fied, their portrayal is just not compelling. GN-X is the only other non UC grunt but it put up a good fight, even manage to beat gundams at the end of 00 S1. By that virtue it earns itself among the cool grunts category.

best example of a kit that got a sales boost due to portrayal in anime is HGUC Byarlant Custom
before the OVA, nobody bothered about the original Byarlant lol

wow..long essay

any way...for uc rg fans...add on kits..

was holding back on mk2, but if that thing has rg details its going to be hard to say no

ooo so fast new tered! (And I see someone here is from Batu Pahat as well!)

nope, my mother is, went there for my cousin's wedding dinner.. I'm a KL boy through and through

kampung BP (so CNY go back there), grew up in Kluang, but now permanently in KL. =_=

will be getting my 3 MGs this week.....to add to my backlog. trying hard to finish my 007s.

be sure to check the store for gunpla get me smtg too! oh wai- its until 31st, cny is 10th feb, sad

This post has been edited by HxiiiK: Jan 15 2013, 04:52 PM

joining in the Nu Ver. Ka fever

Just a question, can we share finished builds here or is it off topic?