This article is reposting from:
www.fromjapan.co.jp
Once you’ve decided that you want to get into Gundam kits, an
important step in picking your first model is understanding the Gunpla
grade and scale system. FROMJAPAN breaks the system down for you so that
you get the right model the first time.
Understanding Gunpla kit grades and scales
There are 5 existing Gunpla kit grades that you can buy in the
market. They are the High Grade (HG), Master Grade (MG), Perfect Grade
(PG), Real Grade (RG), and the Super Deformed Grade (SD), respectively.
Let’s talk about each grade in detail.
High Grade
High Grade Box Art
High Grade kits are the most collectible because the line-up of
Gundams and mobile suits in this grade, whether it be a protagonist’s or
an antagonist’s mobile suit, is vast and High Grades are one of the
most affordable grades available aside from the Super Deformed kits.
High Grade kits have two scales: 1/144 which is around 13 cm tall
depending on the model. Some models are a little bit taller like Sinanju
and Sazabi, while some HG models are somewhat shorter like Exia. 1/144
kits are nice to collect and display because they occupy less space than
Master Grade or Perfect Grade kits. The other scale is 1/100 which is
around 18cm tall.
You can readily determine that it’s a High Grade kit because it will
have the abbreviations “HG” on the box and its box art is in landscape
format. As for the 1/100 Scale High Grade kits, you won’t be seeing any
HG letters on the box, though you’ll know it’s a 1/100 HG kit if it
doesn’t have “MG” or “Master Grade” printed on the box art, and the box
art is usually in portrait format. Don’t get confused between 1/100 HG
and 1/100 MG kits! First timers might get confused because they looks
the same.
With regards to detail, HG kits already look great when built
straight from the box without any painting. They have a moderate amount
of parts to assemble. Adding some panel lining will boost the detail and
appearance of your High Grade kit as well as some minor painting in
some areas. High Grade kits include some foil stickers for added detail
of your model and sometimes the kit also includes some clear stickers as
the model’s decals.
The ability to pose models has been improved through the years. In
older High Grade models during the 90s, the articulation HG kits were
limited but satisfactory, but in recent years, Gunpla technology has
advanced a lot and articulation of newer HG kits are superb to the point
of being comparable or equal to that of Master Grade kits!
High Grade kits are suitable for everyone, and it’s usually where
first time Gunpla hobbyists start their Gunpla modeling journey.
Master Grade
Now if you want more detail, mechanics and an inner frame skeleton to
show off, then Master Grade kits are for you! They are the next level
up from HG kits, and while more expensive, the pay-off is worth it due
to the kits’ level of detail, included gimmicks, mechanics and some dry
rub decals that will greatly improve the awesomeness of your model.
Master Grade kits only have the 1/100 scale which are usually around
18 cm tall. Some recent MG kits are much larger like the MG Sazabi Ver.
Ka and MG Unicorn Full Armor. MG kits have the “MG” abbreviation on the
box art, which is colored gold so that you don’t miss the labelling. The
kit box sizes vary depending on the number of assembly parts with the
largest being from models like the MG Sazabi Ver. Ka.
MG Strike Rouge Ootori
The details of an MG kit is where it starts to get very interesting
and amazing. The big difference between an HG and an MG kit is that MG
kits have an inner frame or skeleton mechanic where you put on the armor
pieces one by one just like a Samurai warrior would do when preparing
for a battle. Color variation and separation of the armor pieces are
also well designed; most MG kits don’t need additional painting since
they already look awesome straight from the box like HG kits. Some MG
kits also include some LED light-up mechanics.
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