What is Gunpla?
Gunpla are plastic model kits based on the giant robots from the Gundam series. The word “Gunpla” (ガンプラ) comes from “Gundam plamo.” The word “plamo” combines “plastic” and “model,” since most kits use plastic parts. The kits are made by Bandai Spirits.
Each kit lets you build a robot from the Gundam stories. The parts come on plastic frames. You cut them out and snap them together. Most kits do not need glue but some parts can be removed easily and it's good to glue them so they wont go missing.
Many builders also do panel lining, paint, add decals, and detail the models. Painting the already colored kits are consireded customizing, and some people go as far as making diaramas, kitbashing (using more than one kit to make a custom suit), or even designing and 3D printing parts themselves!
Gunpla first became popular in Japan during the 1980s. Fans of mecha anime and hobby model builders started collecting and customizing them. The hobby spread during the 1990s when people in North America and Europe began watching Gundam anime and reading the manga.
Today Gunpla has a large fan base. Japan and other Asian countries still have the biggest communities. Interest in the hobby keeps growing in Europe and North America.
Grades
Bandai Spirits uses a system called “grades” to show the size, detail level, and complexity of Gunpla kits from the Gundam series.
• Original / No Grade / First Grade (FG) (various scales).
These are the earliest kits or simple releases. They come in various scales and usually have basic detail. Ideal for beginners or collectors who want a quick build.
• High Grade / HG (1/144)
These kits balance detail and ease of building. They are smaller, usually around 13–15 cm tall, and mostly snap together without glue. Good for beginners and casual builders.
• Real Grade / RG (1/144)
Same scale as HG but with far more detail and articulation. RG kits often use advanced engineering, like inner frames, stickers, and more moving parts. Ideal for intermediate to advanced builders.
• Master Grade / MG (1/100)
Larger and more complex. MG kits include full inner frames, detailed armor, and advanced articulation. They often stand 18–20 cm tall and are designed for experienced builders or display purposes.
• Perfect Grade (PG, 1/60 scale)
The largest and most detailed standard kits. PG models include full inner frames, extensive articulation, detailed armor, and sometimes LED lighting. They often stand 30 cm or taller. PG kits are meant for experienced builders and collectors who want the ultimate display model.
• Super Deformed (SD, various scales)
These are small, stylized kits with exaggerated proportions, like oversized heads and tiny bodies. SD kits are simple to build, require little or no painting, and focus on cute or fun designs rather than realism. They’re ideal for beginners, casual builders, or fans who want a playful display piece.
There are also several side lines I wont be listing here because it would make the list too long and aint nobody got time for dat.
Each grade targets a different level of detail and building difficulty. As model technology improves, newer kits often look and move better than older ones. For example, a High Grade kit released in the 2020s usually has better engineering and detail than one released in the early 2000s.
Some Mobile Suits appear many times across different grades and generations. A well known example is the RX-78-2 Gundam. This suit has been released in almost every major model line. New versions often celebrate anniversaries or show updated design and engineering. The fans call RX-78-2 "Grandpa" because it is the original Gundam from the first TV series, Mobile Suit Gundam. It appeared in 1979 and started the whole Gundam franchise.
Gunpla kits are rarely discontinued. Most stay in production for many years. Exceptions usually happen when plastic molds become damaged or unusable.
Tools
To build a gunpla kit, you'll need some basic tools;
• Clippers – For removing parts from sprues
• Hobby knife - For removing the leftover nubs
• Sanding tools – For smoothing the nub-aftermath
• Tweezers – Handling small parts, stickers and water decals
If you're just starting out, a pair of clippers and a hobby knife are more than enough to start building but to make the kit look a bit more cleaner sanding tools and tweezers are a nice thing to have.
But if you wanna go a little further with the build;
• Ink pens/thinned paint - For panel lining
• Paints - For custom painting
• Chisels - For custom panel detailing
There's also a big world of customizing your kit and I do recommend researching it yourself if you're interested going above and beyond!
Copycats
Counterfeit or “bootleg” Gunpla kits are copies made without permission from the official manufacturer. These kits often copy the design of official models produced by Bandai Spirits.
In April 2010, Bandai took legal action against two toy manufacturers in China for producing and selling counterfeit Gunpla kits from the Gundam series. Bandai asked for 3.69 million RMB in compensation, about 540,000 US dollars at the time.
Several companies have been known for producing unofficial Gunpla style kits, including:
• Daban Model
• TT Hongli
• Model GD
• Elyn Hobby
• Dragon Momoko
Some builders buy these kits because they are cheaper or harder to find in official releases. Quality and accuracy can vary compared with official Gunpla kits and personally I recommend sticking with the real deal if possible.
Happy building!