Gundam (Gunpla) is the world's most popular plastic model kit franchise — built around snap-fit, color-pre-molded plastic kits from Bandai's mobile-suit anime universe. From a $15 starter kit to a $400 Perfect Grade with 2,000+ parts, every grade serves a different builder. We carry hundreds of Gundam products at P-Rex Hobby, including kits, action figures, paints, and tools — and as a Bandai Recommended Hobby Store based in Vancouver, we get new releases days to weeks ahead of most North American retailers.
Where to start (by builder type)
Your first Gunpla. Start with Entry Grade ($15-$25, 1/144 scale, snap-fit) or High Grade (HG) ($20-$40). Both build with just a pair of nippers — no glue, no paint required. The classic recommendation is HG RX-78-2 Revive (the original Gundam) or Entry Grade Strike Gundam. You'll finish your first build in 2-4 hours.
Builder progressing past HG. Move to Real Grade (RG) next, not Master Grade. RG packs Master Grade-level detail and inner-frame articulation into a 1/144 scale kit at $40-$70. The build complexity is a real step up but stays manageable. Some builders prefer RG over MG permanently for the size-to-detail ratio.
Master builder. Master Grade (MG) at 1/100 scale ($60-$120) and Perfect Grade (PG) at 1/60 scale ($200-$400) are the endgame. PG kits have full inner frames, articulated everything, and 2,000+ parts. Set aside 10-30 hours for a PG build. Worth investing in cement-free paint markers and a panel-line tool first — finishing matters at this scale.
"I want fun, not 4 hours." Super Deformed (SD) Gundam ($10-$25) is chibi-style, snap-fit, takes 30-60 minutes per build. SDW Heroes and SD Cross Silhouette are the popular sub-lines.
Action figure / display-only collector. Skip the building entirely with Robot Spirits, Gundam Universe, S.H.Figuarts ($60-$150) for poseable pre-built figures, or Metal Gundam ($150-$500) for premium die-cast figures. These ship pre-painted and pre-assembled.
Limited-edition hunter. P-Bandai exclusives, Clear Color variants (HG/MG with translucent plastic), Titanium Finish editions, and event-limited releases close fast and often appreciate. We get P-Bandai allocation directly — many North American sites don't.
Browse by grade (kits)
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Entry Grade — 1/144 scale, $15-$25, snap-fit beginner kits. The shortest path to a finished Gundam.
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High Grade (HG) — 1/144 scale, $20-$40, the most popular and broadest grade. Multiple sub-lines: HGUC, HGBF, HGIBO, HG00, HGTWFM.
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Real Grade (RG) — 1/144 scale, $40-$70, Master Grade-level detail at HG size. Inner frame, smaller parts.
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Master Grade (MG) — 1/100 scale, $60-$120, full inner frames and advanced articulation. The serious builder's grade.
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Perfect Grade (PG) — 1/60 scale, $200-$400, 2,000+ parts. The flagship grade — display centerpiece.
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Super Deform (SD) — chibi-style snap-fit, $10-$25. Quick builds, full personality.
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Full Mechanics — 1/100 scale, MG-tier detail without full inner frame. Simpler, faster than MG.
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RE/100 — 1/100 scale, simplified MG-style kits at lower price.
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Mega Size — 1/48 scale, large display kits with simplified part counts.
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Other Kits — Figure-rise Standard pilot kits, HaroPla, F90/F91 series, and special editions.
Action figures (no building required)
Browse by series
Tools and finishing supplies
For HG/SD, you only need nippers and a cutting mat. For MG/PG and beyond, add panel-line accent tools, Gundam Markers for line work and details, and Gundam Color paints for accuracy on screen-color reproductions.
Frequently asked questions
Which grade should I start with?
HG (High Grade) for most people. It's the broadest catalog, runs $20-$40, builds in 2-4 hours with just nippers, and looks great unpainted. Entry Grade is even simpler if you want a 1-hour build. Skip MG/PG for a first build — the parts count and time investment can sour the experience.
Do I need glue?
No. Gunpla is snap-fit — pieces lock together with internal pegs. Grade doesn't change this; PG and HG both snap. You only need glue for non-Bandai or third-party detail parts.
What tools do I actually need?
Bare minimum: a side-cutter (nipper) and a hobby knife to clean nub marks. Nice-to-have: a small file for nub cleanup, a cutting mat, and a panel-line accent pen. Anything beyond that is optional finishing. Don't buy expensive nippers for your first kit — Tamiya entry-level nippers ($15) are plenty.
HG vs RG vs MG — which is harder?
HG is the easiest (~3 hours, no inner frame, simple plates). RG is harder than HG due to small parts and inner-frame complexity (~6-10 hours). MG has more parts than RG but the parts are larger and easier to handle (~10-15 hours). PG is the longest (~20+ hours, 2000+ parts) but each step is methodical. RG often surprises people as the hardest at its scale.
Do I need to paint Gunpla?
No — Bandai molds kits in screen-accurate colors. Most builders skip painting entirely for HG/RG and just panel-line. Painting becomes more rewarding at MG and PG scales where you can see the details. Gundam Markers are a great middle ground — no airbrush needed, decent results.
What about decals — should I apply them?
Most kits include both peel-and-stick stickers (easy) and water-slide decals (better-looking but slower). For HG, stickers are fine. For MG/PG, water-slide decals make a visible difference. Topcoat (matte spray) over decals locks them in.
How do I get P-Bandai exclusives in North America?
P-Bandai is Premium Bandai's online-exclusive line that Bandai distributes through select international retailers. P-Rex Hobby gets P-Bandai allocation directly — browse our Limited & Rare collection. Many P-Bandai kits sell out in hours of pre-order opening; we typically list within 24 hours of announcement.
Will my Gunpla appreciate in value?
Most regular HG/MG releases stay at retail or slightly depreciate. P-Bandai limited editions, Clear Color variants, Titanium Finish, and event-only releases often appreciate 2-3x within 1-2 years if production runs sell out. RX-93ff Nu (Gundam Side-F exclusive) and Strike Freedom Mighty Strike Clear Color are recent examples.
What's the difference between Gundam Witch from Mercury and the rest?
Witch from Mercury is the newest TV series (2022-2023) and uses the HGTWFM grade designation for HG kits. Aerial, Calibarn, and Schwalbe are the popular kits. The series broke from traditional Gundam in setting (school-based) and got a new generation of fans into Gunpla.
I want to display my completed kits — what stand/shelf should I use?
For HG/RG, the included action bases work fine. For MG/PG, premium display stands (Bandai Action Base 7 / 8) handle the weight better. Acrylic risers help group multiple kits in a cabinet. Avoid direct sunlight — Gunpla plastic can yellow with prolonged UV exposure.
I lost a part — can I get a replacement?
Bandai sells individual replacement runners (the plastic frames parts come on) through Premium Bandai's parts service. Contact us with your kit's box ID and missing part code; we can advise.
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