Gundam Model Kit Grades Explained for First-Time Builders
By animate USA Online Shop | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Buying Guides
A practical breakdown of Gunpla grades, scales, and price tiers so you can pick the right first kit without overbuying or getting stuck.
Quick answer
For a first Gunpla build, start with a High Grade (HG) or a small Real Grade (RG) if you want more detail without a huge parts count. Move up to Master Grade (MG) once you are comfortable with nippers and cleanup, and treat Perfect Grade (PG) kits like the PG Unleashed Nu Gundam as a project purchase, not a starter kit. The grade tells you more about complexity and size than the anime series does.
What the grade letters actually mean
Gunpla grades are Bandai's internal shorthand for scale, part count, and engineering complexity. They are not quality ratings, and a higher grade is not automatically a better build for you. An HG kit at 1/144 scale is smaller and simpler, while a PG at 1/60 scale is larger, heavier, and built around an internal frame that you assemble first.
The scale number is a ratio, not a measurement. A 1/144 kit is roughly 12-13 cm tall for most mobile suits, a 1/100 MG is around 18 cm, and a 1/60 PG is about 30 cm. Two kits in the same scale can still differ in height because the in-universe mobile suit is a different size.
- HG (High Grade): 1/144, entry-level, lowest parts count, widest character selection
- RG (Real Grade): 1/144, high detail in a small frame, more small parts than HG
- MG (Master Grade): 1/100, larger and more articulated, longer build time
- PG (Perfect Grade): 1/60, biggest and most complex, often with LED and frame features
How to match a grade to your build space and budget
Think about where the finished kit will live before you buy. An HG or RG fits on a shelf or desk edge; an MG needs real shelf depth; a PG needs a dedicated spot and is heavy enough that you should not perch it on a narrow ledge. If you have never panel-lined or sanded a nub mark, a smaller kit lets you practice those skills on cheaper plastic.
Budget is not just the kit price. You will also want nippers, a hobby knife or sanding stick, and optionally a topcoat. A cheap HG plus decent tools usually beats an expensive PG plus no tools, because poor tools cause the stress marks and gouges that make a build look worse than the grade suggests.
- First kit and limited time: HG or a small RG
- Comfortable with nippers and cleanup, want a weekend project: MG
- Want a centerpiece and have a display plan: PG
- Preorder budget: check the expected release window before committing
Preorder timing and release windows
Gunpla preorders often close months before the kit ships, and the expected release date is a window, not a promise. If you are buying a gift, a kit with a release date far in the future is a poor fit unless the recipient is fine waiting. If you are buying for yourself, a long preorder window can be an advantage because it spreads the cost.
Check whether the listing says the preorder is still open or closed. A closed preorder means you cannot add it now, so plan an alternative grade or scale rather than assuming a restock date.
Decision rules for picking your grade
- If you have never built a kit: Choose an HG at 1/144. Fewer parts, lower cost, and mistakes are cheap to learn from. Do not start with a PG, even a well-engineered one.
- If you want detail but not a large shelf footprint: Choose an RG at 1/144. It packs more surface detail and color separation into a small body. Expect more small parts than an HG.
- If you want a weekend centerpiece: Choose an MG at 1/100. It is the middle ground for size, articulation, and build time. Confirm shelf depth before ordering.
- If you want the largest display piece and have a plan: Choose a PG at 1/60 only when you have tools, time, and a dedicated spot. Check the expected release window and whether the preorder is open.
Catalog examples and what they tell you
- (1/60 Model Kit) PG Unleashed Nu Gundam: Perfect Grade Unleashed Nu Gundam, 1/60 scale, preorder with expected release Q4 2026-Q1 2027. The frame is reproduced in multiple colors and the kit supports LED lighting. This is a long-horizon project kit. The multi-color frame means much of the internal structure looks finished without painting, and LED support is a display feature you should plan wiring and shelf space for.
- (1/6 Scale Figure) Oshi no Ko Ruby: Cat Maid Ver. Limited Edition: Oshi no Ko Ruby: Cat Maid Ver. is a 1/6 scale painted PVC figure, about 10.5 inches, expected Q4 2027, and it needs the included stand because it does not balance on its own. A useful reminder that not every anime collectible is a model kit. This is a pre-painted display figure, so it needs no assembly or tools, but it does need a stable shelf and the stand.
- (1/7 Scale Figure) Danganronpa Series Junko Enoshima: 15th Anniversary Ver.: Danganronpa Junko Enoshima: 15th Anniversary Ver. is a 1/7 scale painted PVC figure, about 10.9 inches, expected Apr 2027, and also requires the included stand. If you are comparing a 1/7 figure to a 1/100 MG kit, remember the figure is pre-painted and pose-fixed, while the kit is unassembled and poseable. They solve different display problems.
Who should buy which grade
Best for
- First-time builders who want a low-risk start with an HG or small RG
- Returning builders ready for a 1/100 MG with more articulation
- Collectors with display space and patience for a 1/60 PG project kit
Not for
- Buyers who want a pre-painted, ready-to-display figure with no assembly
- Gift buyers who need the item in hand before a near-term date
- Builders without basic tools like nippers and a hobby knife
