If you’ve ever stared at the Gunpla shelf — or scrolled through an online shop — and wondered what on earth “HG”, “RG”, “MG”, and “PG” actually mean, you’re not alone. This Gunpla grade guide is exactly what you need. Bandai uses a grade system to categorise their model kits by scale, complexity, detail level, and price — and understanding those grades is the single most important thing you can do before buying your first (or next) kit. In this guide, we’ll walk through every major Gunpla grade in 2026 — EG, HG, RG, MG, and PG — explaining what each one offers, who it’s suited for, and roughly what you’ll pay here in Malaysia. By the end, you’ll know exactly which grade is right for you.
What Are Gunpla Grades?
Gunpla grades are Bandai’s official system for classifying their plastic model kits. Think of it like a ladder — each grade represents a step up in scale, part count, engineering complexity, and price. The grades don’t reflect quality in a negative sense; a well-built HG kit can look just as impressive as an MG in the right hands. Rather, grades tell you what kind of building experience to expect and how much detail and engineering you’re getting for your money.
The five main grades you’ll encounter in 2026 are:
- EG — Entry Grade (1/144 scale, no tools needed)
- HG — High Grade (1/144 scale, beginner to intermediate)
- RG — Real Grade (1/144 scale, intermediate)
- MG — Master Grade (1/100 scale, intermediate to advanced)
- PG — Perfect Grade (1/60 scale, advanced)
You’ll also sometimes see SD (Super Deformed) and MGSD kits, which use a cute, chibi aesthetic rather than realistic proportions — these are great fun but a separate category. For this guide, we’re focusing on the main realistic-proportion grades above.
Entry Grade (EG) — The Perfect Starting Point
The Entry Grade line was launched by Bandai in 2020 with one goal: remove every single barrier between a newcomer and their first completed Gunpla kit. And they absolutely succeeded.
EG kits use “twist-off gate” technology, which means the parts are attached to the runner in a way that lets you literally twist them off with your fingers — no nippers required. Snap the parts together, and your kit is done. Despite this extreme accessibility, EG kits still look fantastic. The iconic Entry Grade RX-78-2 Gundam has crisp proportions, great colour separation, and excellent articulation for its size — all in a kit that costs around RM25–40 and can be finished in under an hour.
EG kits are ideal for:
- Absolute beginners who have never built a Gunpla kit before
- Younger builders or parents buying kits for children
- Anyone who wants a quick, satisfying build without committing hours
- Experienced builders wanting a simple palette-cleanser between big projects
The main limitation of EG kits is that the selection is relatively small compared to HG. If the mobile suit you want isn’t available in EG, HG is your next step — and honestly, HG isn’t much harder.
High Grade (HG) — The Best Grade for Most Builders
If EG is the on-ramp, High Grade is the main road of Gunpla. HG kits have been around since 1990 and cover virtually every mobile suit from every Gundam series — there are literally hundreds of kits in the HG catalogue, making this the most varied and widely available grade by far.
Standard HG kits are 1/144 scale (roughly 13cm tall), with a part count typically between 80 and 200 pieces. They’re fully colour-moulded, so no painting is required, and they snap together without glue. Build time is usually between one and three hours depending on the kit’s complexity. In Malaysia, most standard HG kits retail for around RM35–80, with newer or more complex kits pushing towards the higher end.
What makes HG kits so compelling is the sheer selection. Want to build the classic RX-78-2 from the 1979 original series? HG has it in multiple versions. Prefer the aggressive mechanical look of Gundam Barbatos from Iron-Blooded Orphans? HG. The sleek futuristic design of Gundam Aerial from The Witch from Mercury? HG. Whatever Gundam series you love, you’ll find most of its main suits in the HG catalogue.
HG kits are ideal for:
- Beginners ready for their first proper snap-fit kit experience
- Collectors who want to build a wide variety of suits affordably
- Builders who enjoy adding panel lining and decals to detail their kits
- Anyone who wants a satisfying build in an afternoon
You can browse the full HG catalogue at gundam.my’s HG section — there’s always something new to discover.
Real Grade (RG) — Incredible Detail at 1/144 Scale
The Real Grade line was introduced in 2010 to celebrate Gunpla’s 30th anniversary, and it represented something genuinely revolutionary: Master Grade-level engineering and detail crammed into the compact 1/144 scale. RG kits include a full internal frame, separate outer armour panels, intricate surface detail, and advanced articulation — all in a kit that fits in the palm of your hand.
Building an RG kit is a noticeably different experience from HG. The part count is higher (often 300–450+ pieces), the parts are smaller and more precise, and the construction involves more steps around the inner frame assembly. Build times range from four to eight hours for most kits. In Malaysia, RG kits typically retail for around RM130–220.
The RG line is known for some genuinely show-stopping kits. The RG Strike Freedom features gold-electroplated inner wing frames. The RG Nu Gundam packs an extraordinary amount of detail into a 1/144 scale suit. The RG Sazabi is widely considered one of the finest Gunpla engineering achievements in its scale. For collectors with limited display space who still want maximum visual impact, RG is an exceptional sweet spot.
RG kits are ideal for:
- Intermediate builders who have completed several HG kits and want a challenge
- Collectors who want incredible detail without stepping up to 1/100 scale
- Builders with limited shelf space who still want impressive displays
- Anyone who appreciates Bandai’s engineering at its most intricate
One honest caveat: RG kits can feel fragile during construction due to small parts. Be patient, handle with care, and you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent finished model.
Master Grade (MG) — The Sweet Spot of the Hobby
If you ask experienced Gunpla builders which grade they spend most of their time building, the answer is almost always Master Grade. The MG line, introduced in 1995, hits the perfect balance between size, detail, engineering complexity, and build satisfaction that no other grade quite matches.
MG kits are 1/100 scale, standing around 18cm tall — large enough to feel genuinely impressive on a display shelf, but not so large they dominate a room. Every MG kit includes a full inner frame skeleton, which you build first before layering on the external armour — a building experience that feels deeply satisfying and gives you a real sense of the mobile suit’s inner mechanical structure. Part counts range from around 250 to 500+ pieces, and build times run from 6 to 15 hours depending on the kit. In Malaysia, MG kits typically retail for around RM180–400+.
The MG catalogue is almost as vast as HG, covering classics like the RX-78-2, Zaku II, and Freedom Gundam, as well as newer releases like the MG Full Armor ZZ Gundam Ver.Ka and various MGEX (Master Grade Extreme) releases that push the line’s engineering to extraordinary levels. The MGEX Strike Freedom, for example, features internal LED circuitry as a core part of the kit’s design — a level of ambition that defines what MG can achieve.
MG kits are ideal for:
- Builders who want a substantial, rewarding multi-session building experience
- Collectors who want impressive display pieces at a meaningful scale
- Modellers who want to paint, weather, and detail their kits extensively
- Anyone who wants to experience the inner frame building process
Browse the MG selection at gundam.my’s Master Grade section to see the full catalogue available in Malaysia.
Perfect Grade (PG) — The Ultimate Gunpla Experience
The Perfect Grade line represents Bandai’s absolute pinnacle of Gunpla engineering. Introduced in 1998, PG kits are 1/60 scale — typically standing between 30 and 35cm tall — and feature staggering levels of detail, engineering, and premium materials. These are the kits that make jaws drop on display shelves.
PG kits come with fully articulated inner frames with working mechanical joints, extensive surface detail, LED-compatible components or built-in lighting in newer releases, and part counts that can exceed 500–700 pieces. The PG Unleashed sub-line, launched in recent years, takes this even further — the PG Unleashed Nu Gundam, for example, features an internal LED system, transparent chest parts, and premium metallic frame components that make it genuinely unlike anything else in the hobby. Build times for PG kits can range from 20 to 40+ hours. In Malaysia, PG kits typically retail for around RM700–1,500+.
PG kits are ideal for:
- Experienced builders who want the most challenging and rewarding build possible
- Collectors who want a genuine centrepiece statement display piece
- Enthusiasts who enjoy premium, multi-day building projects
- Anyone celebrating a milestone — a first job, a birthday, a personal achievement worth marking
PG kits are not for casual weekenders — they demand time, patience, and a steady hand. But the finished result is something truly extraordinary. If you’ve built a dozen MG kits and still feel the hunger for more, PG is calling your name.
Which Gunpla Grade Should You Choose? (Quick Decision Guide)
Still not sure which grade is right for you? Here’s a straightforward breakdown to help you decide:
- Completely new to Gunpla? → Start with an EG kit. No tools, no stress, just fun. The EG RX-78-2 is the perfect first build.
- Ready for your first “real” build? → Go with an HG kit. Pick a mobile suit you love and dive in. HG Barbatos, HG Aerial, and HG RX-78-2 Beyond Global are all excellent starting points.
- Built several HGs and want more challenge? → Try an RG kit. The smaller parts and internal frame will test your skills — in the best possible way.
- Want a satisfying multi-day project with impressive results? → MG is your grade. The inner frame experience and display size make this the true heart of the hobby for most builders.
- Experienced builder wanting the ultimate challenge and a showpiece display kit? → PG is the answer. Commit the time, enjoy the journey, and experience Gunpla at its peak.
Remember: there’s no wrong answer. Every Gunpla builder has their own favourite grade, and many experienced hobbyists build across multiple grades depending on what they’re in the mood for. The important thing is to start building — and then keep going.
Where to Buy All Gunpla Grades in Malaysia
Whether you’re starting with your first EG kit or hunting for the latest PG Unleashed, Gundam.my is Malaysia’s dedicated Bandai Gunpla shop, stocking genuine kits across all grades and series. With a wide selection from EG all the way up to PG, fast Malaysia-wide shipping, and a team that genuinely loves the hobby, it’s the best place to start — or continue — your Gunpla journey.