Before going any further I needed to look into what the different types of Gunpla model types there are. I will be honest and there are a LOAD of awesome resources that cover model types out there. For example:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam_model#Grades
- https://blog.fromjapan.co.jp/en/hobby/how-to-choose-the-right-gundam-model-kit.html
- https://blog.fromjapan.co.jp/en/hobby/how-to-choose-the-right-gundam-model-kit.html
There are sure to be many others but those all cover the basic information and then some. It is worth noting that the types of model get referred to as the model grade. The grade will determine a lot of factors, like the level of detail and how big a hole it is likely to put in your wallet.
If, like me, you prefer to use cheat sheets here is a quick rundown for you.
Model Grades
| Acronym | Name | Scale | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| HG | High Grade | 1/144, 1/100 | Generally seen as the most collectable kits. They are reasonably priced, have a decent level of detail, and on the whole have the largest selection across the range. |
| MG | Master Grade | 1/100 | These tend to have more parts that the HG models with more detail. They also take longer to build. |
| PG | Perfect Grade | 1/60 | These are the top tier models. They are big, they have the most detail and will take the longest to build. Some have metal joints, and some have LED lighting. |
| RG | Real Grade | 1/144 | Often seen as sitting between HG and MG grades. Advances in technology allowed Bandai to incorporate a lot of the detail and articulation normally only seen in the MG kits into the 1/144 scale RG kits. |
| SD | Super Deformed | N/A | Although these don’t have a specific scale they are normally short and in a chibi style. |
Scales
I didn’t have a clue what the scale sizes are like, so here is a rough approximation. Individual models may be bigger or smaller but it is a fair guide:
| Scale | Millimetres | Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 1/144 | 125 | 4.9 |
| 1/100 | 180 | 7 |
| 1/60 | 300 | 11.8 |
There are other model types and sizes, so always check the information on the specific model you are looking for.
Telling them apart
Although there are examples below, remember that some of the logos will be slightly different as different product lines can have slightly amended logos to distinguish them.
HG 1/144 should have a HG logo which will look similar to the one below.
HG 1/100 apparently do not have HG on the box, but they also do not have the MG logo on the box. If in doubt though google to make sure you know what you are getting!
MG 1/100 will have a logo like the one below.
PG 1/60 will have a logo similar to the one below.
RG 1/144 will have a logo similar to the one below.
SD may have a logo like the one below (I honestly haven’t looked at them much as they aren’t my primary focus).
