Gunpla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gunpla
ガンプラ

Type	Scaled model kits
Inventor(s)	Yoshiyuki Tomino
Company	Bandai (through Bandai Spirits)
Country	Japan
Availability	1980–present
Materials	Plastic

Gunpla (pronounced Gan-poo-rah) are awesome model kits that let you build your own robots and characters from the Gundam universe. These kits are made by a company called Bandai.

Gunpla became super popular in Japan and other Asian countries in the 1980s. Fans of robot anime and model building loved them. In the 1990s, Gundam shows and manga came to North America and Europe. This helped Gunpla become popular all over the world!

The name "Gunpla" is a short way of saying "Gundam plastic model." That's because most of these cool kits are made of plastic. Bandai has sold over 700 million Gunpla kits worldwide since 1980! That's a lot of robots!

The Story of Gunpla

How Gunpla Started

The first Gundam models came from the Mobile Suit Gundam TV show, which started in 1979. At first, the show wasn't a big hit. The toys made by another company, Clover, didn't sell well either.

In 1980, Bandai got the chance to make models based on Gundam. Clover's toys were already put together, like most toys for kids. But Bandai decided to make their models as plastic kits that you had to build yourself. This was more like building military vehicle models.

Bandai's idea was a huge success! Their kits were perfect for the older teens and adults who loved Mobile Suit Gundam.

Early Gunpla Kits

Almost every robot and vehicle from the Gundam series was turned into a model kit. The parts came in up to three different colors. These early kits weren't very detailed and couldn't move much. You also needed glue to put them together.

Later, Bandai invented something called System Injection. This let them make a single part with many different plastic colors at once. This meant you didn't need to paint the finished model as much.

Gunpla in the 1980s and 1990s

In 1985, Bandai started using poly-caps. These are soft plastic connectors that made the joints move better.

By 1987, new models from Gundam Sentinel didn't need glue at all! They used a "snap-fit" design. This became standard by 1988, so all kits after that were easy to snap together.

In 1990, Bandai launched the High Grade (HG) line. This was a big step up in quality. It also started the "grade system" to show how detailed and good a kit was. HG kits had much more detail and could move a lot more, even though they were small (1:144 scale). For example, some HG kits could transform, like the Zeta Gundam.

By 1993, Bandai made a standard set of poly-cap joints for smaller models. This made it easier to make many models quickly. So, Gundam shows in the 1990s often had lots of 1:144 scale models.

In 1995, the Master Grade (MG) line came out. These were bigger (1:100 scale) and had even more parts, better detail, and amazing movement.

Then, in 1998, the Perfect Grade (PG) line arrived. These were the biggest (1:60 scale) and most detailed kits. They even had light-up parts! PG kits had an "inner frame" or skeleton, and you attached the outer armor panels to it. This design later appeared in smaller kits too. PG kits are usually the most expensive.

To celebrate Gundam's 20th birthday in 1999, Bandai released First Grade (FG) kits. These were budget-friendly, snap-fit kits that were simple to build, like the very first models, but with modern designs.

Gunpla in the 2000s

For the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series, Bandai introduced new non-graded (NG) 1:144 models. These were simpler and cheaper, with fewer moving joints. They were great for beginners. Gundam SEED also had non-graded 1:100 models that were similar to High Grade kits.

It was during this time that Bandai officially started using the name "Gunpla."

Gunpla in the 2010s

In 2010, Bandai released the huge 1:48 Mega Size Model RX-78-2 Gundam kit. This kit was designed to be super easy for new builders. You could even break parts off the plastic frames without special tools!

In the same year, Bandai also launched the 1:144 Real Grade (RG) line. These kits packed amazing detail and an inner skeleton frame, like the Master Grade kits, into a smaller High Grade size.

Both the Mega Size Model and RG versions of the RX-78-2 Gundam looked like the life-sized Gundam statue in Odaiba, Japan. Bandai also made "Ecopla" kits from recycled plastic.

In 2011, the Entry Grade (EG) line came out. These were very low-cost models, mainly sold in Asia. This line was rebooted in 2020 with kits that were even easier to build and had great color separation without stickers.

Also in 2011, the Advanced Grade (AG) line appeared. These kits had microchips that let you use them in a Gage-ing arcade game.

In 2017, Bandai started the Gundam Evolution project. This aimed to make Gunpla technology even better with new joint systems and LED lights for bigger kits. This was all to get ready for Gunpla's 40th anniversary in 2020.

Building Your Gunpla

Gunpla kits come in many types, but most plastic kits made since the late 1980s are built in a similar way.

Gunpla model parts as shipped

What's in the Box?

Your kit will have plastic parts, decals (stickers), and sometimes other cool accessories. The plastic parts come on "sprue trees" or "runners." These are grids of plastic rods with the parts attached. Each part is connected by a small plastic nub called a "gate."

How to Assemble

First, you need to cut each part away from the runners. You can use side cutting pliers for this. Then, you might want to trim or sand away any leftover plastic from where the gates were, so the surface is smooth.

Once the parts are free, you just snap them together to build your model! Older kits needed glue, but since the late 1980s, all kits snap together without any special tools or glue.

Some kits have an "internal frame." This is like a complete skeleton that can stand on its own. You then attach the outer armor panels to this frame to finish your robot's look.

• Gunpla kit assembly
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  Gunpla model as purchased

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  An entire Gunpla kit

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  The left hand sprue includes parts molded in green, blue and transparent plastics

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  Gunpla are mostly polystyrene but some parts are ABS, or ABS/polypropylene blend

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  Parts have to be cut away from the sprue

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  Decals are provided to give increased detail

Making Your Gunpla Unique

You can customize your Gunpla in many ways! The easiest way is to paint it. This lets you be super creative. Adding decals is also common. Most kits come with decals, but you can buy extra ones too.

Here are some popular ways to customize your Gunpla:

• Panel lining: Many models have small grooves where armor panels meet. You can use a fine pen or brush to fill these lines with paint or ink. This makes the details "pop."
• Weathering: You can use paint or carving tools to make your model look worn, dirty, or even battle-damaged. It's like making it look like it's been in a real fight!
• Kitbashing: This means combining parts from different kits to create a totally new and unique model.
• Conversion kits: These are often made by other companies. You can attach them to an official Bandai model to change it into a different robot.
• Custom parts: If you're really skilled, you can even make your own parts from scratch to add more detail or new features to your model.

All these steps are optional. You can just build your model with side-cutters and it will still look great!

Most finished models can be posed in different ways. Many are "fully poseable" and can move a lot. To help your model stand in cool action poses, you can put it on a display stand. Some newer models even have a special spot to attach a stand.

How Gunpla are Designed

Several colored components fit together without glue to make a foot assembly

Over the years, Gunpla have become more and more detailed. Some are simple display models, while others can move a lot and have interchangeable parts like weapons and shields.

All the parts fit together without glue. They use different types of joints, like ball-and-socket joints, or pegs that fit tightly into holes. While models are made for posing, they aren't meant for rough play like action figures. Parts might come loose if you move them too much.

Bandai uses different plastic materials for different parts. They also add color directly to the plastic. This means you don't have to paint your model if you don't want to.

The picture above shows how detailed a high-end (Real Grade) model can be. Even a small part like a foot can have many tiny details and complex moving joints.

What Gunpla are Made Of

Plastic Models

Most Gunpla kits you buy are made from different types of thermoplastics, like ABS or polystyrene. These are the "plastic" models that snap together without glue. Bandai makes these kits in Japan or China.

Resin Kits

A less common type is called a garage kit or resin kit. These are made from a different material called thermoset resin. You need glue to put these together. Resin kits are often made by smaller companies and are usually more expensive. They offer amazing detail for experienced builders.

Other Materials

A few special kits have even been made from metal. These metal kits can take days to build because they are so detailed.

Gunpla Sizes (Scales)

Just like models of real vehicles, Gunpla are "scaled down" versions of the robots from the shows. The scale tells you how much smaller the model is than the real robot would be. For example, 1:60 means the model is 60 times smaller than the actual robot.

Gunpla models usually range from about 4 inches tall for small ones to 12 inches or more for large ones. Here are some common scales and the types of kits you'll find in them:

Gunpla Grades

Bandai uses "grades" to describe how detailed a model is. A robot might be available in different grades, meaning it looks the same but has different levels of detail and complexity. For example, a High Grade (HG) model will have less detail than a Master Grade (MG). MG models are also usually bigger than HG ones. A Real Grade (RG) kit can have as much detail as a Master Grade, but it's the size of a High Grade!

Grades don't have a super strict definition. A newer High Grade model might even be better than an older Perfect Grade model because the technology keeps improving!

Original / No Grade / First Grade (FG)

The very first Gundam models from 1980 didn't have a grade name. They had limited movement and often needed glue and paint. Later, Bandai re-released some of these simple designs as First Grade (FG) kits, starting in 1999.

High Grade (HG) (1:144 scale)

HG models started in 1990. They were snap-fit, had good movement, and used the System Injection method for multi-colored parts. The High Grade Universal Century (HGUC) line, started in 1999, collected robots from the main Gundam timeline. Later, HG lines were made for other Gundam series too. HG kits are very popular and offer a great balance of detail and price.

Real Grade (RG) (1:144 scale)

Real Grade kits came out in 2010 for Gunpla's 30th anniversary. RG kits are known for their amazing detail and color accuracy, almost like a smaller Master Grade. They have full inner frames and lots of decals. Many RG kits use a special "Advanced MS Joint" system where parts of the inner frame come pre-built and can move a lot. Newer RG kits use a more stable design.

Master Grade (MG) (1:100 scale)

MG models started in 1995. They are bigger, take longer to build, and are more expensive than HG kits. Master Grade kits usually have a movable inner frame that allows for incredible poses. They often include tiny figures of the pilots too.

Many older MG kits have been redesigned as "Ver.2.0" with better movement and inner frames. The RX-78-2 Gundam, the main robot, has many different MG versions!

Ver. Ka

Since 2002, some Master Grade kits are called "Ver. Ka." These are special designs by a famous robot designer named Hajime Katoki. Fans vote for which robots get a Ver. Ka kit. They are known for being super realistic, having complex features, and lots of decals.

Extreme (MGEX)

In 2020, the Master Grade Extreme (MGEX) line started. These are luxury versions of Master Grades with extra special features. For example, the first MGEX kit had an LED light strip that changed colors! The second one had shiny metallic parts for its inner frame.

Perfect Grade (PG) (1:60 scale)

PG is the highest grade of Bandai kits. The first PG Gunpla was an RX-78-2 Gundam in 1998. Only a few kits have been released in this line because they are so advanced.

Perfect Grade kits try to be as perfect as possible. They often take years to develop because Bandai waits for new model-making technology. PG kits can have metal joints, amazing plastic detail, opening hatches, and LED lights. Perfect Grade Unleashed is an even more advanced version, with features like building the inner frame first, then adding details, and finally the armor. It's like building a real robot!

Other Cool Gunpla Lines

Super Deformed (SD)

Super Deformed Gundam kits are not based on a specific scale. They have a funny, "chibi" style with very large heads. SD kits are usually easy to build and often have unique features, but they don't move as much. The most famous line is BB Senshi.

Entry Grade (EG)

The Entry Grade (EG) line is designed to be very easy and affordable for new builders. The newer EG kits, like the RX-78-2 Gundam, have great movement and color separation without needing stickers or tools. They are a perfect starting point for younger builders!

Mega Size Model (MSM) (1:48 scale)

Mega Size Models are huge, standing about 15 inches tall! They are similar in detail to High Grade kits but are much bigger. Bandai made these kits super easy to build, with parts that you can break off by hand.

The Gunpla Hobby

Building Gunpla is a worldwide hobby! People enjoy it in many ways. Some just build the kits as they come. Others add paint and decals to personalize them. And some amazing builders create completely new models by combining parts from different kits, making their own custom pieces, and doing detailed paint jobs.

Like any hobby, Gunpla can get very involved and expensive if you want it to. But you can start with kits that cost less than $20 and don't need any special tools. So, it's easy to get started!

Some hobbyists even build detailed scenes called dioramas around their models. A diorama could show a robot fighting, getting fixed, or even destroyed on a battlefield.

Bandai holds an international contest every year called the Gunpla Builders World Cup. Winners get trophies and new model kits!

Gundam FIX Figuration

The Gundam FIX Figuration (G.F.F.) series are collectible figures, not model kits. They are already put together and are based on the designs of Hajime Katoki. These figures are very detailed and often come with many accessories and changeable parts. They are made of PVC and ABS plastic, and some newer ones even have metal parts inside. G.F.F. figures are more expensive than regular action figures but offer amazing detail and quality.

Special Edition Gunpla

Bandai sometimes releases special, limited edition Gunpla kits. These are often prizes for contests or sold at special events like toy shows. They might come in clear plastic, have a shiny metal-plated finish, or a special "pearl" or "titanium" look. These special kits are usually much more expensive than regular ones.

Giant Display Models

For big trade shows, Bandai sometimes displays huge Gunpla models. These can be 1:6 or 1:12 scale, meaning they are over 5 feet tall! Most of these are just for display, but Bandai has sold a few giant models, like a 1:60 scale RX-78-2 Gundam, which can cost around $2,000.

To celebrate Gundam's 30th anniversary, Bandai even built a 1:1 real-size Gundam statue in Japan! It's 18 meters (about 59 feet) tall! This amazing statue has been displayed in different cities in Japan and is now in Odaiba, Tokyo.

Images for kids

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  Several colored components fit together without glue to make a foot assembly

See also

In Spanish: Modelo Gundam para niños

• Gundam
• Mobile Suit Gundam
• Gundam (fictional robot)