Gundam Model Kit Grades Explained: HG vs RG vs MG — Which Should You Build First? (2026 Guide)

HG, RG and MG are not marketing noise — they describe difficulty, scale and part count. Here is the plain-English breakdown, plus the kits we would hand a first-time builder today.

Walk into any Gunpla community and you will see the same three letters everywhere: HG, RG, MG. They tell you how big a kit is, how many parts are in the box, and how long the build will take. Buy the wrong grade as a gift and you either hand a beginner a 500-piece engineering project, or hand an experienced builder something that feels too simple.

Every kit below is a genuine Bandai release, in stock and ready to ship.

Quick comparison

• HG (High Grade) — 1/144 scale, roughly 100–200 parts, 1.5–3 hours, snap-fit, no glue. Best for beginners and anyone building a squad.
• RG (Real Grade) — 1/144 scale, 200–350 parts, 4–6 hours, maximum detail in a small size. Best for builders who already own a few kits.
• MG (Master Grade) — 1/100 scale, 300–600 parts, 6–10 hours, inner frame and opening hatches. Best for display centrepieces.

Start here: HG and 30 Minutes kits

HG is Bandai's gateway line, and that is a compliment. Parts snap together without glue, the manual is almost entirely visual, and no paint is required. Modern HG kits also pose well, so a finished build looks great on a shelf even if you never pick up a hobby knife.

Bandai Gundam Model Kit HG 1/144 White Action Figure Gunpla Building Kit Gundam Collectibles Anime Figures Toys For Boys Gift

A clean, classic HG — an ideal first kit → Shop this kit

Bandai Gundam Model Kit HG Amazing Zgok Action Figure Gunpla Building Kit Gundam Collectibles Anime Figures Toys For Boys Gift

For fans of the original series → Shop this kit

Want something even friendlier? The 30 Minutes Missions (30MM) line is built around quick, colour-coded assembly and endless part-swapping — it is the safest first kit we sell.

Bandai 30 Minutes Missions Model Kit 30MM Full Armor Portanova Action Figure Building Kit Anime Figures Toys For Boys Gift

Customisation playground: swap armour and weapons freely → Shop this kit

The sweet spot: RG

Real Grade packs an inner frame and heavy mechanical detail into the same 1/144 scale as HG. Expect a longer build and smaller parts — and a finished model that looks like a much larger kit.

Bandai Evangelion Model Kit RG EVA Unit 00 02 Mark 06 03 Action Figure Building Kit Collectibles Anime Figures Toys For Boy Gift

RG detail meets Evangelion — a standout shelf piece → Shop this kit

The showcase: MG

Master Grade is where Gunpla becomes a hobby rather than an afternoon: 1/100 scale, moving inner frames, opening panels and real weight in the hand.

Bandai Gundam Model Kit MG 1/100 Jegan Action Figure Gunpla Building Kit Gundam Collectibles Anime Figures Toys For Boys Gift

A solid, affordable entry into Master Grade → Shop this kit

Bandai Gundam Model Kit MG 00 Seven Sword G Avalanche Exia Exia Repair 3 Action Figure Gunpla Building Kit Anime Figures Toys

Huge weapon set — for builders who love options → Shop this kit

Prefer fantasy to mecha? Meet 30MF

30 Minutes Fantasy (30MF) applies the same snap-fit philosophy to knights, samurai and dragons — the best entry point for someone who loves anime and fantasy but has never built a mecha.

Bandai 30MF Liber Swordman Model Kit

Knight and sword: the friendliest 30MF starter → Shop this kit

Bandai 30MF Blazing Gai Samurai Troopers Model Kit

Samurai armour — a bigger, more impressive build → Shop this kit

Gift-buying cheat sheet

• Never built a kit before? → HG, 30MM or 30MF
• Already owns a few kits? → RG or a larger 30MF
• Wants a shelf centrepiece? → MG 1/100
• No painting, no tools? → every kit here is snap-fit and colour-moulded out of the box

FAQ

Do I need glue or paint?

No. All Bandai kits in this guide are snap-fit and colour-moulded. Paint is an optional upgrade, never a requirement.

Are these authentic Bandai kits?

Yes — every kit we ship is a genuine Bandai release. Buying elsewhere? Read our guide on how to spot a bootleg first.

How fast do orders ship?

In-stock kits leave our warehouse within 1–2 business days with tracking.

Browse all in-stock Bandai kits →