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

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Other categories of model kits available in this forum

This post has been edited by nazrul90: Mar 13 2013, 09:30 PM

woooo V29! congrats

Thanks man, but I think Khai62's Titan color ver is nicer....if I can get another one maybe can copy

Anyway, congrats on v29

Spam psycho-frame mania

yes, v29 now congrats

oops. . .my dream gundam.

This post has been edited by ilfort: Mar 13 2013, 08:57 PM

May this time more awesome gunpla come into our shores

ohh these tall Gundams

no plans for touching-up the twin RX-0s?

so fast!? ok new thread reporting in ~~~

Nu finally finished decaling! and this fella is AMAZING! ohmygod i cannot get over how amazing this looks



the little workaround for the funnels really helped

wow srsly, this gave me the impression of PERFECT GRADE:

Normally will not touch completed kits again, malas....
only regret that nvr recolor the Banshee when assembling; it's supposed to be Black Unicorn, not dark blue Unicorn...
anyway, seems like a lot new kits coming up, tons planning to buy, no time to do touching-up

Im going to build my Titanium Finish Banshee this weekend!!! Weekdays too busy with work no time...

Anyway~ Congrats V29~ (Nice Banshee Cover Pic )

Loved all the Nu gundam pics posted..

This post has been edited by leoleonheart: Mar 13 2013, 09:41 PM

Me also thinking the same, buy another one to repaint like the stock color but that a plan on the far future.

Mine now in paneling stage, might finish this weekend but depend if my weapon unit arrive from the mail before that.

I know that feeling when looking at Banshee stock color, why not black Bandai. but i do repaint it.

Those shading and red psychoframe


This post has been edited by Khai62: Mar 13 2013, 09:48 PM

shading easy lar, I think this pic is so impressive is bcoz of the photo effect...

Congrats on new thread
So many Nu ver Ka spam

Omg this made the nu look so awesome dude

wth...

awesome nu!!!

is that MG?

or PG conversion kit?!

everyone with NU, huuhu me still on Aegis...

Ahhh new page yahoooo~ reporting in~

slowpoke zeta shot, the 2 "bone" that support/connect the chest mount piece is a big headache for me. i need carefully to push it because it is too tight, i forget to loosen it up before assemble...





This post has been edited by Agito666: Mar 14 2013, 01:57 AM

New thread reporting in Sir!!

btw....nice detailing for that Aegis inner frame!

Great details.
U're using just gundam marker pen?

tq bro, details in the innerframe were great, thanks to the manufacturer... hahah

yes indeed for the details.....

Nice work , bro !

The green and red colour thing is really nice !

wooo, new thread. \(^ O ^)/

while everybody is having Nu Ver. Ka fever, I'm creating my own Nu Ver. Ka

do you plan to detach all the armor when displaying?

hahah that's the problem.. huhuhu

you should get PG

huhuhu got dy, but both not assenbled yet.... one *ahem brand, one is original.... huhuhu
*ahem brand MK-II stalled almost 2-years dy.... Red frame hasn't started yet.... huhuhu

so i spoilered it, since it's not in the right thread just to show.


This post has been edited by mf_yamato: Mar 14 2013, 12:13 PM

hi ppl. i need some quick answer to a quick question. haha.
im looking to get mg buster. how much isit ard??? will be passing by bts later.

Finally complete everything.





Gonna take a break b4 starting on one of these:

Some lyn sellers here is selling at rm 120.. Just as a guide.. Hope it help..

got it thxxx. i actually tried looking for seller here. but cant find any. mayb im not looking hard enough. hehe. thxx

This post has been edited by steph13: Mar 14 2013, 01:53 PM

Very Nice build...

and Nice haul.. make me jelly..

Your Welcome..

buster is around 138.. but got seller sell 120 as leoleonheart said
but price is around 135-138, generally

any seller here u guys wanna reco me?? i cant find them. i dun mind getting it for cheaper. hehe.

like ur gundam bro very nice and good job

Try tytroum. Don't know if he has stock for buster but there's no harm asking.

And onnylam, that Nu is painted with the new ab?

This post has been edited by bazlit: Mar 14 2013, 02:31 PM

RG zeta really is a big headache if not properlly know the inner joint works like me, first time buy Zeta system. also forget to make the joint lesser tight before assemble

Thanks

Thanks bro

Yes, and no. I kept the compressor I got from tytroum, but I changed the AB to Procon. The one I got from tytroum is having problem with the crown.

Well, at least you'd handled RG b4; me, 1st RG, already can imagine the hard times ahead

for the Zeta, just be careful of the parts i mentioned earlier if your first RG is Zeta, you're going to have a bad time because you won't know how hard it is to assemble the RG.. and u jump right into the flimsiest one GOOD LUCK!

I see. The Nu looks amazing. You're poisoning me to get an ab. You got the procon from a seller here?

Already have that in my mind the 1st time you mentioned it....
I'm not interested in 1/44 scales, but this Zeta comes not only in 1/144 but in RG, can't damn resist it, so....thanks to your reminder, I'm really now

If you're not satisfied with stock colors, really can consider; to me after few experience with spray cans, decided AB is much better, in terms of quality, and cost.
I got the Procon from Singapore; was going there to survey only, then saw one, straight away sapu liao...

This post has been edited by onnylam: Mar 14 2013, 02:49 PM

the joint you mentioned ealier actually got more need to be caution like i mention on last few posts

some really hidden well until when i want to move few parts to see the transformation gimmick then the joint is too tight then i was like "oh fucuk! should i move with more force or what, because it will break." look the chest part, the 2 "bone" there already got few fingernail mark from me... not nice liao



This post has been edited by Agito666: Mar 14 2013, 03:02 PM

be caution on transformation shoulder hand mine got fingernail to,the joint is tight.
in malay i pun sudah kena and terkena
this zeta is my first rg kit also

man am i glad i started with the granddad rg

i got 10 RGs but zeta is first transform RG

Hope to see more poison here to restock

here my rg zeta but not fin yet,working on it for 3 week now but still can't fin it
got a bit lazy here lately



Attached thumbnail(s)

nice nice

Hey not bad bro
Just reminded me that I not only have the assemble problem to be aware of but also....panel lining as well....I suck at panel lining

no love for older MGs? Gonna start AB-ing my Gogg's inner frame this weekend

Great work !

don't worry about panel lining bro practice make perfect
just focus on assemble and be aware of it.
anyways good luck on ur zeta bro

Now people SPAM Nu ver KA... later people SPAM Sinanju Stein

Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS ON V29

I surprise that there no Tallgease I spam.

got, Nu 1.0

This deserved to be shared

And deserved our like.

i think more ppl starting to move on to RG nowadays...but of course RG not that many yet

You gotta admit, 'Banshee Ball' has a nice ring to it.

for oob builders RG is a good alternative to MG. Smaller, cheaper, good details without having to paint it urself but to custom builder MG is still the preferred choice. Not only is there more choices of design, its also bigger hence more surface area for us to work on and easier to do custom panel line, custom paint job, masking etc etc. For inner frame lovers MG is the better looking of the 2, some like to hav partial armor on to reveal its mechanical details RG frame is not suitable for this since its more functional then aesthetic. Also unlike MG RG don hav a fix release dates, MG once a month will release a new model RG currently the most is 3 per year. Bandai would hav to increase its production significantly to catch up with the other lines (dun even compare numbers with HG, that line is unassailable), something that i dun c happening since RG and MG eat each other markets.

pls do share with us when the Gogg is done
it will surely be superb

no wor. me noob.

avatar is gooding enuf
dun lie liao

Finally done with the granddad. This RG gave me more headache than the usual MG but it was worth it!


This post has been edited by bazlit: Mar 15 2013, 02:53 AM

still don dare to go into RG. don even have time to do MG. later my old eyes blur

my tallgease still in box maybe after i fin my rg zeta i go on with my tallgease


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Hi what is the price range for MG delta plus?

approximately 160-170 at retail

Currently working on granddad grandson...double Z...been working since last year, I dont mind since I dont rush...quite hi-tech for an old transformable suit

The Full Frontal Use Unicorn is very nice in GG

lol @ "grandad grandson".. now i know why the main MS design in AGE generations is like RX-78-2 > Zeta (transformable) > ZZ (bulky)

RX-78-2 > Zeta (transformable) > ZZ (bulky) > Nu (funnels)

insert unicorn plz

looking forward to your review.. mine is in the box but simply no time to do it..

james83 talked about AGE wat

from new gundams to old ones.. any love for the classic?

144 scale? thas pretty good for such old kit

1/100 G falcon DX.. but still HG.. it's really amazing for a kit that's almost 20 years old.. so happy they reissued this so i could grab it
it's way better than a lot of HG/NGs nowadays

I think 1/100 (see the satellite panel). Beside the 1/144 G-Falcon is hard to find

MG-mod the DX la

see how.. this is to study the design properly.. maybe when i learn how to mod properly

Hope they will come out a MG for the DX thou

still wondering why Bandai released HGAW X & X Divider but still no news of DX yet

this is one online premium I can't resist

aku dah agak dah......

the price will be the same as buying another RG perhaps?

lucky im not into RG

opps

Just as expected from Pandai.

Also just saw this Golden Nu Gundam


This post has been edited by Khai62: Mar 15 2013, 02:44 PM

cilaka punya Pandai

i wonder how it looks when built
but that would mean it would lose all that awesome parts separation stickers are still the same color

i overlooked AGE-FX's similarity to Nu.. lol
i don't think there'll be GundamAGE's answer to GundamUC.. as Kio will have to be killed off while preventing a major earth sphere catastrophe

just preordered a limited Zeta-3 RG..
despite the "KARAB" decal, despite the insane price.. i must be crazy..

One of the best dio build I have seen.

haha zaku reminds me the nest