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.

Previous thread:

Related Links

Gunpla News

Other categories of model kits available in this forum

This post has been edited by nazrul90: Dec 7 2016, 03:39 PM

congrats on new thread

crap, seems like the exchange rate hitting the price of gunpla quite badly
some of the newer stocks has gone up

Luckily I secure my loot months before
Guess new release will have to think twice

RG gold frame amatsu mina announced

This post has been edited by gaiachronicler: Dec 7 2016, 08:52 PM

bought some spray paint, thinking of custom painting duel assault shroud, but the price kinda put me on hold

Lift tat Warehouse sales again from 8-11 dec, anyone go?

Warehouse sales are not worth it anymore. Rare items are almost non existent and the promotion items could be bought cheaper outside.

Yeah true, those price not seems to be cheap, they just want to clear old stock with price still higher than outside shop.

But the thing I can't understand what's different between buy from Litt tat and outside shop? Other than the seal box? Because still many ppl buy with litt tat with those high price?

Last year IPC Gbwc I saw one uncle proudly snatched unicorn and banshee pg without researching the price

This post has been edited by TheEvilMan: Dec 8 2016, 08:48 AM

Most of the time people feel compelled to buy just because they are there and there are items to be bought.

Maybe he was proud to snatch the biggest box there was.

gwing xmas sale.
mg destiny rm120 jer...

tight budget only can get anubis jer.
fuuyoh..tinggal satu kotak jer. rm200...fast yo.

they seems to add more item yesterday when i check
but nothing i want

i beli anubis & piggy tank.
no more budget to get hg The end gundam.

Contribute mine to Psycho Zaku already
but a little itchy to get that V Gundam or Re Nightingale

the famous aunt lenny shop at Endah Parade is doing a clearance sales...everything must go including gunpla.....

went to Litt Tatt warehouse sales ytd, as per expect no much surprise on the price offer, but PG Strike Gundam is attractive, price around RM 47x, too bad no budget to bring him home

that's a very attractive price, kinda making me wanting to go tomorrow and pull trigger

i saw that only 2-3 unit available for this, hope you can get it tomorrow, other is Hi-nu ver ka and Sinanju Stein ver ka also cheaper RM20-30 than retail price.

Congratulation on new Thread,

Recent hauling from me during the GBWC and sharing my entry kit for fun.

Currently at osaka.... any shop you guys recommend?

yodobashi camera or Osaka gundam.

Mandarake Osaka, I order online always found some rare that not available in other prefecture

Boxart out

I hope the kit comes with a shelf that's wide enough to fit that backpack. That thing could make FA Unicorn jealous.

do u know wad time they open? bcz last time i went it was closed.. few times ad lol

A kit tht comes with a shelf... Hmmm
Okay!


😁😂😆😅😄🤣

Went to ikea yesterday, checking out the detolf, still wonder if the detolf can fit psycho zaku

Seriously doubt it. Sazabi Ver Ka takes up half the shelf, as I was trying to pose it and Nu fighting in 1 shelf, and it did go in but just barely with Nu. That tank won't fit, but if you take it off it might fit while taking up the full shelf.

yea have to take off the large tank if it doesn't fit, looking at various glass display and also the kallax cupboard, detolf still looks better than the rest especially when u can view the gunpla from all angles

Why bother? Just buy an aquarium.

That's quite an interesting idea

Joshin Super Kids Land, or known as Osaka Gundams

http://maps.google.com/?cid=16281408856781369606&hl=en&gl=us

Duplicate post

This post has been edited by General_Nic: Dec 12 2016, 10:47 AM

mandrake , get dem 2nd hand gunpla usually cheaper than retail for normal kits and also rare kits

yodobashi for variety

please call 019-375 3331 (aunt lenny) to check opening time

long weekend W.I.P

finally decide to just get the MG Aile Strike Gundam


Attached thumbnail(s)

wow

interested in getting a basic one to start with , saw RX-78-2 quite interesting

which version
3.0 can be slightly tedious to build with lots of small parts and stickers
origin seems to be simple build but lack the detail of 3.0

Start with HG, HG is beginner friendly and cost alot less than other grades so u dun feel the pain when u inevitably makes a beginner mistake like all of us does and still do from time to time..

Try HGUC RX-78-2 Revive.

that's what i'm looking at first glance , 3.0 ....

yes sir , will check it out when got time ! i'm still reading previous post to understand more about gundam !
thanks for the suggestion

Guys, how much does these two gunpla worth now? Are these rare item? Still sells?

not really since bandai still re-release them once in a while
max price I would say around 20+

I would recommend to paint and frame like this instead


This post has been edited by D-y: Dec 15 2016, 09:26 PM

That is so cool

wooo nice.
this can apply to 1/144 low budget series like below.

i suggest invest in some tools first to enjoy gunpla.. tools + skill get good results.

any yamato kaki here ka?
gwing & gundam.my ada sale yo.
i beli ni yo...no more money to celebrate & having a fine dinner for xmas liao.

What kit is this? Nice. How much?

Psycho Zaku review is now out



http://schizophonic9.com/re4/mg_psychozaku.html

This post has been edited by nazrul90: Dec 17 2016, 07:20 PM

lastexile
rm140
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10363774

Guys, I just started with Gunpla again after been hiatus for 10+ years

Previously I never had an experience with dry transfer sticker and top coat. So I have a few questions to ask before I start with my MG Strike RM ver.

1. Normal MG (non KA ver) use dry transfer am I correct? It is easy to make a mistake when applying this sticker?

2. Top coat should be applied before or after panel lining + applying sticker?

Thanks

BTW, Litt Tak Store at Sg. Wang still available? Its been a while since the last time I go to Sg.Wang so I'm not sure if the store is still there or not.

This post has been edited by The Red Giant Warrior: Dec 19 2016, 11:23 AM

1. Dry transfer is a pain in the ass, the bigger they are the harder to get it right. Its the easiest among the 4 types of decals/stickers to be ruined while applying. Look up tutorial in youtube to c how u can apply this.

2. Depends. Top coat has 3 kinds of finishes, gloss, semi gloss, and flat. The optimum surface to panel lining and decaling is gloss, if u plan to apply it straight on to bare plastic u dun nid to coat anything beforehand cuz gunpla bare plastic is gloss enough to begin with. If u prime, paint or sand ur kit then u should gloss coat it 1st before panel lining and decaling. At any rate, u must coat it after panel lining and decaling with whatever finishing coat u wan.

bare plastic --> panel line / decals --> whatever finishing coat u wan
bare plastic --> sand / prime / paint --> gloss coat --> panel line / decals --> whatever finishing coat u wan

Of cuz the above is the optimum way of doing things, its kinda time consuming and cost alot to do so. I kinda take shortcut whenever i can, up to u to experiment on where u wan to take shortcuts.

Saw a debate that gloss used for water decal to avoid air bubbles going in between decals compare to matte, but is semi-gloss alright for water decals as it didn't get mentioned in the debate i read

Ok thanks mate for the advice

Btw, anyone know if Litt Tak store at Sg. Wang still available?

Semi gloss is still not optimum, anything but gloss is not optimum really but ultimately its up to own preference. This is not a major things that would ruin ur kit per se.

I've done countless water slide decals on all sorts of surface smoothness, I can tell you it doesn't matter.

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?sc...2-S001&page=top

Digimon Reboot Omegamon finally rerelease.
Will buy again for another collection

i use semi gloss all the time and it does work
but realise the large decal might something have small silver/grey spot, which is what mentioned in the debate, but can sometime get rid of it with mark softer, only the really large one (usually those marking on shoulder with logo) is harder

I rarely use Mr.Mark Softer as I find Mr.Mark Setter is more than enough to do the job right.

so no silvering/greying issue on the decals?
something like this on the wording 0823


This post has been edited by TheEvilMan: Dec 19 2016, 07:22 PM

As far as I remember, not even once. Probably because I really drain the water completely.

Noted will try harder when I build fa Thunderbolt ver. Ka as i don't want to ruin the shoulder too

that one is decal paper quality.
this type of decal is old (store too long) & low quality, it need to dim very long time in water baru boleh kluar.
my old decal have this issue..but the latest decal dont have this issue.

make sense now since the problem only appear when i'm using 3rd party decals, which is lower in grade

They keep it simple

Poster quality.

looks like something from Patlabor.

want to ask a noob question what is "th" on the skirt stand for?

1/100 Vidar is so good. The thrusters have separate part color and no ugly seamline on leg compared to HG.

hi, im looking for this, anyone know where to get them?

something exactly like this or similiar. With/without lights doesnt matter.





This post has been edited by steph13: Dec 25 2016, 10:22 PM

You can get it from Pasar Road electric shops. Quite cheap too.

Somewhat preview pic of HG Atlas

Lets spam the survey
http://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2016/1...erseas.html?m=1



This post has been edited by nazrul90: Dec 27 2016, 12:35 PM

completed. Is gunpla consider plastic model or figures?

done spamming

p.s: can see Bandai is very desperate due to China 3rd party start imitating their P-Bandai and even Metal Build

This post has been edited by TheEvilMan: Dec 27 2016, 08:47 PM

Want to check, is there any shops in KL that rent airbrush or rent area for airbrushing? Ever since my daughter is born, my wife haramkan airbrushing at home.

Myotaku offer this airbrush service
https://m.facebook.com/myotaku.com.my/

Holiday build...

malas apply decals...

Hi to all sifus here.

I'm a newbie. At first I thought of buying RG Zaku II.
Then I found out from dalong.net that the runners for RG is more than MG. Does this mean building RG is even harder (if not the same as) than MG?

Not sure about zaku. I built MG 00 7swords and RG 00 raiser. I have to say MG is more complex than RG in my case. The legs itself is different or i should say more mechanics.

The only difficulties for me in building a RG is assembling the tiny little parts and applying tiny little stickers...

This post has been edited by ktfong: Dec 28 2016, 03:49 PM

OK. Thanks for the info.

Dun only listen to me. As i only started this hobby 6 months ago xD

Agree with u
Try pg once, addicted but always feel empty since it's very selective and only a few mech from one series

RG is nice but very wobbly and weak joint

Still mainly collecting MG for it provide the best scale and also complexity in details

yea, havent try PG yet. There are 2 kits in my list for now: MG Providence and PG Phenex... maybe will get MG EX-s too...

Waiting for my Psycho zaku but I have to hold my build for both fa Gundam and Psycho zaku until mid 2017

He is back! Now where is Kyshatriya review
..

https://fudoushin.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/new-blog-layout/

Wow, new thread already reached 5 pages. I missed a lot.

Waiting for my unicorn bust

Waiting for PG phenex.

U po the pbandai pg phenex??

wow... wonder what happened during the missing years....

Where to get modelling supplies in SG?
I'll need a new compressor that fits procon boy guns, possibly a spray booth (not sure if can AB in balconies), paint and thinner. The rest of the stuff can still get in KL and fly back.
TQ.

Hobby Point

Hobby Art Gallery

Take note that there are more than 1 model kit shop in the building where Hobby Art Gallery locate.

M Workshop at Sunshine Plaza same building as HAG

go [HAW] 12 Arumugam Rd LTC Bldg for more option. it's a main shop for HAG