GUNPLA Grade List

What Are Gunpla Grades, and Why Are There So Many?

Gunpla didn’t start with a system. When the first Gunpla model kits hit shelves in 1980, there was no grading system, no standardized naming, and no way to know what you were really getting. Kits came in all kinds of scales with wildly different part counts and quality levels. The only clue on the box was the scale number. Everything else was a surprise.

That changed in 1990. Bandai introduced the Grade system, beginning with High Grade. From that moment, a “grade” became a promise, a specific scale backed by clear standards for articulation, color separation, and part engineering. The once-chaotic catalog became navigable. Builders finally knew what to expect before they even opened the box. Since then, the grade system has continued to expand and evolve, offering more choices than ever. Anything released before the system or sitting outside it is labeled No Grade (NG). Quality in NG kits can vary significantly, which is why most builders prefer graded kits for a more consistent and rewarding experience.

Scale First, Grade Second

Almost all gunpla kits sit within three main scale groups.

1/144 scale is the smallest and most populated grade in Gunpla. Finished builds stand around 13 to 15 centimeters tall, compact enough to display in numbers, yet detailed enough to impress.

Complexity varies widely:

Entry Grade offers tool-free builds you can finish in under an hour.

High Grade is the heart of the line, covering nearly every suit ever made.

Real Grade pushes the limits of the scale with full inner frames and over 300 parts, delivering Master Grade-level detail in a surprisingly small package.

1/100 scale is the home of Master Grade, the most respected and iconic format in the entire Gunpla hobby. Introduced in 1995, Master Grade brought the revolutionary full inner frame system, and it has been continuously refined across hundreds of releases. This is the scale where engineering excellence and display-worthy detail truly shine. 

Also living at 1/100 are Full Mechanics and RE/100, which expand the lineup to cover suits that never received a mainline Master Grade kit.

1/60 scale is where Perfect Grade lives, the undisputed pinnacle of Gunpla.

These are massive builds, standing 30 to 40 centimeters tall, with part counts often exceeding 400. Many include LED lighting systems, and the engineering is breathtaking. The top-tier PG Unleashed line pushes even further, with some kits surpassing 700 parts. These are true multi-week projects, reserved for builders who want the ultimate display piece.

The Same Suit, Many Versions

You'll notice that iconic suits like the RX-78-2 appear across multiple grades and often in several versions within the same grade.

That’s not redundancy. Each release reflects different eras of manufacturing technology, updated proportions, and fresh design interpretations. Two Master Grade versions of the same suit can look and feel like entirely different kits. Choosing between them becomes as much an aesthetic decision as it is one of complexity or detail. Some builders prefer the classic look of older releases, while others chase the latest engineering advancements. Either way, the same legendary mobile suit can offer a completely new experience every time you build it.

Gunpla also doesn’t age out. Kits from the late 1990s are still being reprinted today because demand for them never fades. Unlike many hobbies where older releases become outdated or disappear, the Gunpla catalog doesn’t depreciate. If a kit you want is in stock, it’s usually worth grabbing because once it sells out, it may not return for months… or even years.

Bottom line:

Start simple.

Begin with Entry Grade or High Grade, then work your way up as your skills and confidence grow.