Gundam Models: A post about Gunpla, new kits, and where we think the hobby is headed.

As someone who has been building for 10 years and running a shop for 5, I have noticed that building Gunpla is about the fun of the build, finding that rare kit, and socializing with others in the community about our passion. It always amazes me that a kit that has been out for 20 years seems to find new life with a builder in their paint scheme, modification, or addition to make it their own. We are blessed to see all these different builds over the years and the many friendships that we have made so far. For that, we are thankful!!! For those of you that are new to the hobby, check out our explanations below, and if you have any questions, reach out to us!

Here is a little synopsis of the grades for those of you new to the hobby!

Gunpla can get a little confusing at times with all the different timelines. At the end of the day, the grades listed below are the most common.

• High Grade (HG): These are 1/144 scale, and the majority of kits produced by Bandai are in this category. They are usually the cheapest out of all the grades and get the most consistent reprints.
• Real Grade (RG): Still 1/144 scale but with a lot more detail to them. The early releases can be a little finnicky but do not take up a ton of shelf space. This grade gets reprinted regularly and only has a couple new releases each year. These cost more than HGs due to the intricacy.
• Master Grade (MG): 1/100 scale, these are bigger versions with more detail than the standard HG. Typically, they will come with gimmicks or extras that the HG versions do not have. Newer MGs have a higher price point as they are bigger.
• Perfect Grade (PG): These are 1/60 scale models. Kits in this range tend to have a lot more detail and gimmicks compared to the other scales. Their price point is considerably higher as well. These get new releases every 3 or 4 years.

While there are other grades (RE/100, MGSD, SD, BB) they constitute a smaller portion of what Bandai produces.

New Kits on the Horizon: Upcoming Gunpla Releases

We have always been bad at letting our builders know what is on the horizon from Bandai. Some of the ones that we are looking forward to are:

• PG Unleashed 1/60 ν Gundam: Arriving in 2026, this is the most expensive standard issue PG released to date. The details and gimmicks in this kit are ridiculous.
• MG Gundam Barbatos Lupus 1/100: Long after the Gundam Barbatos, Bandai is releasing a new version with an updated inner frame!
• HG White Gundam 1/144: From GQuuuuux, we are a sucker for the original RX 78-2 color scheme, this one looks a lot more edgy!
• HG White Gundam 1/144: Coming in January, we look forward to this SEED kit and all the different options available for it.

Where Gunpla Is Going Next?

We don’t have a crystal ball, but we think it is just going to get bigger here. Bandai is releasing new kits in all scales over the coming year, along with new animation, card game releases, and a miniatures game. Everywhere you look, you see Bandai and Gundam!

We have noticed a lot of comments and influx of people into the various FB groups ranging from beginners to seasoned modelers adding their opinions, advice, and general helpfulness to support everyone. We believe this is the best time to get into this hobby!

Final Thoughts: Just Enjoy the Build

At the end of the day, building Gunpla isn’t about who has the most kits. It’s about having fun with a hobby that combines patience, creativity, and a little bit of luck scoring a great deal. Whether someone’s building an HG after dinner, working on a big PG over the weekend, or just sharing photos of their builds on social media—every builder should have fun doing what they love!

The world of Gundam kits keeps getting bigger, better, and more welcoming. That’s something we can all celebrate!