About Gundam Model Kits - Gunpla
This page is catering to the new entrants of Gundam model kits fans, a brief and summary of the available of different scale, grade, version of Bandai's Gundam model kits. There are various grade, scale and version with specify design and design purposes. Hoping the summary and information will provide everyone a knowledge and decision to kick start. We are also hoping more and more people can join in and make our Gundam collection community more activitities and lively. We believe Bandai (Gundam manufacturer) in return will introduces and engages more technology and quality Gundam collections to its loyalty fans, as the reward. LET'S COLLECTION !!
History:
Bandai released the first model 1/144 scale RX-78 Gundam in 1980 to Japan, this was the very first Gundam plastic model in the market (also has been known as GUNPLA). 15 years of improvement of quality and technology, Bandai released a revolution series named "Master Grade" in 1995. Perfert Grade in 1998, which represent the pinnacle of Gunpla series. High Grade, 1/60 scale, 1/100 scale, Super Deformation (SD), Ex Model, HY2M series are introduced thereafter. Jumbo Grade, HCM Pro, First Grade, Speed Grade, Mini Mode are those new series been recently released to market.
PERFECT GRADE [PG]
Initial Released Year: 1998
Model Scale: 1/60
Model Height: > 30cm
Piece Parts: >600pcs
Gunpla in Market: 17 units
Original: Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: Designed for high-end user with the maximum of proportions and posability of Gunpla. This grade become the pinnacle products of Gunpla. Very details of piece parts provided and some model requires mechnical tools for assembly. More suitable to experience and skillful collectors. Product price at high side, not many people is affordable
MASTER GRADE [MG]
Initial Released Year: 1995
Model Scale: 1/100
Model Height: ~ 20cm
Piece Parts: 200-500pcs
Gunpla in Market: >130 units
Original: Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: First intention of celebrating the 15th anniversary of model kits series, with slogan " build the ultimate Gunpla". MG Limited Edition were released in 2005 for the celebration of 10th anniversary of MG series. Special Coating Ver (includes crystal, metallic , coating, hyper mode, roll out color), HD color version, Event Limited (clear color), Ver. Ka, Special kit (Extra Finish) are introduced to market thereafter. (pls see below details for different version). This Grade is suitable to those "detailness" collectors, as collector can assembly from the inside "skeleton" till outside armour!
HIGH GRADE [HG]
Initial Released Year: 1990
Model Scale: 1/144
Model Height: ~13cm
Piece Parts: >60pcs
Gunpla in Market : >100 units
Original: Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: More features from 1/144 SCALE version, improved joints, optional parts and multi-color injection molding been used. There are Special Coating version available in Gundam 00 series (metallic, clear color, Trans-Am). Gunpla new entrant can kick start from this grade.
1/60 SCALE
Initial Released Year: 2002
Model Scale: 1/60
Model Height: ~ 30cm
Piece Parts: 200~400pcs
Gunpla in Market : 10 units
Original : SEED Destiny, 00, G
Design Purpose: Largest scale in Gunpla series, features enhanced articulation and multi-color injection molding, but lesser features than PG. This grade is considered as normal version Gunpla. Special coating version (clear color and Trans-Am) is released in Gundam 00 series. Collectors who like to have biggest scale at reasonable price then they should look at this scale series. Price range is about around MG series.
1/100 SCALE
Initial Released Year: 1998
Model Scale: 1/100
Model Height: 16 ~ 19cm
Piece Parts: >100pcs
Gunpla in Market : >60 units
Original: SEED series, Wing, 00, MSG
Design Purpose: Features with improved articulation and in-color injection molding, includes 1/20 scale figures and his data. This grade also fall under normal version Gunpla. Compare to MG, there is no "skeleton" to be assembly during construction. There are also having Special Coating version (roll out, clear color, designer color (2009)) and Limited version in the list. This grade is suit to collector who like to have 3 reasonable factors, reasonable scale size, reasonable price and reasonable ease of assembly.
1/44 SCALE
Initial Released Year: 1980
Model Scale: 1/144
Model Height: ~13cm
Piece Parts: 50~60pcs
Gunpla in Market : >50 units
Original : Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: First released of Gunpla in 1980. This is cater for easy of assembly and at lower price. Targeting for new entrants to Gunpla world. It seems Bandai is going to less focusing in this grade specially in later Gundam series.
FIRST GRADE [FG]
Initial Released Year: 2007
Model Scale: 1/144
Model Height: 10-12cm
Piece Parts: 65 units
Original: BB Warriors, SEED, 00, MSG, Super Defender Force, Sengokuden (new series)
Design Purpose: A cute and bighead series targeting to even younger generations and new entrants. Now, an increased number of collectors in this series as well as lady collectors in Gunpla community. Simplified models with fewer parts for easier assembly. Sengokuden is the latest series for this grade (Special version also avail).
EX MODEL
Initial Released Year: 2001
Model Scale: 1/100, 1/144, 1/400, 1/550, 1/1200, 1/1700, 1/2400, 1/3500
Model Height: NA
Piece Parts: >100pcs
Gunpla in Market: >30 units
Original : Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: Mobile Suit Ship level (Battleship), Sites, truck level assembly. This is suitable to Gunpla hardcore collectors! The higher the scale rating, the biggest the model size is.
HYPER HYBRID MODEL [HY2M]
Initial Released Year: 2002
Model Scale: 1/60, 1/100
Model Height: ~30cm (1/60)
Piece Parts: >300pcs (1/60)
Gunpla in Market: ~20 units
Original : Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: Gunpla Limited Edition series. Further enhanced features, add in electronics parts, LED, battery to realize flash system. This model requires piece parts assembly. This model suitable for fancy collectors, who like features enhancement. The price of HY2M is at high side and may not many collector are affordable.
HIGH COMPLETED MODEL PROGRESSIVE ACTION FIGURE [HCM PRO]
Initial Released Year: 2004
Model Scale: 1/200, 1/144 (Super Pro)
Model Height: ~10cm
Piece Parts: 1pc (main model) + accessories
Gunpla in Market: ~88 units
Original : Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: Pre-assembled model, similar to fix figure, just having some accessories and posable. There is HCM Super Pro (1/144 scale) version and Special Paint version. There is no detail assembly of piece parts, this is more suitable to collectors who prefer fix Gundam figure. They have no worry of detail assembly of pieces by pieces!
MINI MODE
1. STANDart (2009)
2. SEED THE HYPER - HYBRID MODE 3rd) (2008)
3. Gundam Collection DX (2007)
Model Scale: NA
Model Height: ~5cm
Piece Parts: 4~8pcs
Gunpla in Market: >12 units
Original: Across Gundam series
Design Purpose: Also known as Shokugan series. It is almost like HCM Pro fix figure series, just leave about 4 to 7 pieces for assembly. It seems like table top miniature collections.