Sounds Cool … How Do I Start?
The first thing you’ll need to do is determine which Gunpla kit is right for you. This will depend on which Gundam is your favorite, your skill level, and your price range.
To help you out, here’s a brief primer on the different Grades and Scales that Gunpla come in.
Scale
Scale is just a fancy term for the size of a finished Gunpla kit. The Scale is a measure of how big the kit is compared to the machine that it's based on. In general, Gunpla come in three different Scales:
- 1/144 - roughly 5 to 6 inches tall.
- 1/100 - roughly 7 to 8 inches tall.
- 1/60 - roughly 12 to 13 inches tall.
There are others out there that you can explore, but this is enough to get you started.
While Scales are important for practically determining how much you can fit within the shelf space you have, the Grade will factor way more in choosing your kit.
Grade
Grades are a measure of how accurate and intricate a kit is. The higher the grade, the more detailed and reflective of the “real world” machine it is, but also the more difficult and time-consuming it is to assemble. Also, generally, the higher you go in Grade, the more expensive a kit becomes.
Like Scale, there’s wide range of options for you to explore, but for today, we’ll stick with the most common ones:
- Super Deformed (SD) - These quirky kits aren’t meant to be realistic at all, but a cute take on iconic Gundams. They basically take a machine and compress it down into an adorable, pint-sized kit. SDs have the least parts, are perfect for first-time builders, and cost roughly $10–15. SDs don’t have an assigned Scale, though they are typically shorter and bulkier than other Grades.
- High Grade (HG) - This is by far the most prevalent Grade, since it combines a solid level of detail with a manageable parts count and an affordable price. This is definitely my recommended Grade for new Gunpla builders, and at $15–20 a kit, they won’t break the bank. HGs are predominantly 1/144 Scale, though you will occasionally find one in 1/100.
- Master Grade (MG) - These kits are meant for experienced builders and serious enthusiasts. They’re much more detailed than SDs or HGs, and usually come with gimmicks that mirror those of the Gundam they’re based on. However, they take way more time and skill to build and cost roughly $50–100. All MGs come in 1/100 Scale. I highly recommend you build a few SDs or HGs before attempting a MG.
- Perfect Grade (PG) - Aside from some exceptionally rare promotional kits, these are the top of the chain when it comes to Gunpla. They’re incredibly detailed, have the most moving joints and parts, and are as close to building a real Gundam as we’re liable to get. Of course, that means they’re way more difficult to build, cost far more, and take up the most space. PGs usually come in 1/60 Scale and start out around $200.
I know all of this might sound intimidating, at first, but trust me — you don’t have to stress about it. Whether it’s an SD or a PG kit, Gunpla are designed to easily snap together with basic instructions. Plus, most Gundams have multiple Grades and Scales, so you can find the machine you love no matter your skill level or price range.
To give you an idea how Grade and Scale actually impact the look of the model, below is a pic of both the HG and MG versions of the ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos from Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.