Understanding Gunpla Grades and Scales

October 19, 2026 · Model-kit buying guide

Read a Gunpla box in three steps: identify the mobile suit and version, check the scale, then look at the product line and the exact kit's construction. Those choices tell you more about the project than treating HG, RG, MG and PG as a ladder you must climb.

This guide covers Gundam plastic model kits. The letters on these boxes describe model-kit lines, not Gundam Card Game rarities or a builder's skill certification.

Scale tells you the proportion

In a scale such as 1/144, one unit on the model represents 144 of the same units on its fictional subject. For the same subject, a 1/100 model is proportionally larger than a 1/144 model; a 1/60 model is larger again. That relationship does not supply an exact finished height or shelf footprint.

Two different mobile suits at 1/144 can have different dimensions. Wings, weapons, a display base and the pose you choose can also change the space a display needs. Before buying for a particular shelf, check dimensions for the exact model and leave room for the arrangement you want.

Bandai's HG, RG, MG and PG overviews illustrate common scale pairings. Their approximate sizes are introductory examples, not dimensions guaranteed for every kit.

Use the line as a starting point

Line Scale in these examples What to compare next
ENTRY GRADE (EG) 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Exact assembly and tool requirements.
High Grade (HG) 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam The particular version, accessories and joint design.
Real Grade (RG) 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 Internal construction, small details and moving mechanisms.
Master Grade (MG) 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.3.0 The larger scale, internal details and version-specific features.
Perfect Grade (PG) 1/60 PG Unleashed RX-78-2 Gundam Display space, assembly stages and any electronic features.
SD Gundam Non-scale in Bandai's SD overview Stylized proportions and the exact SD sub-line.

These are selected examples, not an exhaustive catalog or a promise that every product carrying related branding follows one specification. Bandai lists the HG and MG examples in its respective High Grade and Master Grade catalogs; its SD overview explicitly uses non-scale.

The same scale can offer different builds

ENTRY GRADE and RG provide a useful comparison. Bandai describes the ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam as having touch gates that let the builder separate parts by hand, with no painting or stickers needed for its intended assembled appearance. That is a specification for this kit, not permission to pull parts off every runner by hand. Exact ENTRY GRADE product details

The RG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 keeps the same stated scale while using a different construction approach. Its product page describes an internal frame, detailed joints, a transforming Core Fighter and opening chest armor. Compact scale therefore does not automatically mean a simpler project. Exact RG product details

Version names matter too. Keep Ver.2.0, Ver.3.0, special editions and other qualifiers in your comparison. An accessory list or construction feature from one version should not be transferred to another merely because both represent RX-78-2.

More features do not create a universal difficulty score

A grade can guide your research, but it cannot tell you exactly how long you will take or which part of a build you will find demanding. Compare the actual instructions, part handling and mechanisms with the kind of work you enjoy.

For example, Bandai's PG Unleashed 1/60 RX-78-2 Gundam uses staged construction and includes lighting features. Its current product page also identifies batteries required for lighting as sold separately. That makes assembly sequence, lighting requirements and display plans useful shopping questions; the PG label alone does not answer them. Exact PG Unleashed product details

SD deserves the same individual attention. Bandai offers distinct SD products, including SDEX Standard 001 RX-78-2 Gundam. Choose the proportions and exact product you want rather than treating every SD box as an interchangeable first step. SDEX product details

Choose your project before your supplies

Start with a subject you want to display, then ask:

  • Does this exact version fit my display space?
  • Do I want a straightforward assembly, detailed mechanisms or a longer project spread across sessions?
  • Have I checked the parts, markings, accessories and instructions for this kit?
  • Am I planning the supplied appearance, extra cleanup or a custom finish?

Bandai recommends checking the contents and reading the manual before assembly. It also distinguishes kits that allow tool-free part removal from those requiring cutting tools. Choose a model-kit nipper for runner cutting only when appropriate; use sanding supplies for optional rough-edge cleanup and tweezers for small markings when needed. Check the contents rather than assuming that tools are included with a kit. Check glue and paint requirements in the exact instructions and against your finishing plan. Bandai: How to Build

Use the official manual directory to research the exact name, and follow the instructions supplied with your kit. You can choose a compact detailed build, a larger display model or stylized SD proportions without treating one as a graduation requirement for another.

Sources and scope

All sources are BANDAI SPIRITS / Bandai Hobby, checked October 19, 2026. This is an evergreen comparison of selected products, not a new-release announcement, a complete grade taxonomy or a stock claim.

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