HG, MG, RG, PG: Understanding Gunpla Grades

So you’ve decided to dive into Gunpla, and you’re staring at the different grades like they’re some kind of secret code. You’ve heard people talking about HG this, MG that, and PG something, and you’re thinking, “What in the world is going on here?”

Don’t worry. I got you. Let’s break down the Gunpla grades so you can make sense of all this acronyms madness—no decoder ring required.

HG – High Grade: The Starter Kit

If Gunpla was a fast food chain, HG would be the value menu. It’s the perfect place to start, affordable, relatively simple to assemble, and won’t make you wish you had taken out an extra loan to build it.

High Grade kits are typically 1/144 scale, which is pretty small, but they pack a decent amount of detail and articulation for something that won’t cost you an arm and a leg (unless you're going for the special edition). These kits are ideal for beginners who want to get their feet wet without diving into the deep end.

Perfect for:

• People who want a good first kit without crying over tiny parts

• Casual builders who just want to enjoy the process

• Anyone who’s low on time but still wants to build something cool
  

MG – Master Grade: For When You’re Ready to Level Up

Once you’ve built a few HG kits and realized that maybe you have a problem (it's okay, we all do), it’s time for the MG—Master Grade. This is where things start to get fancy, my friend.

MG kits are larger—usually 1/100 scale—and much more detailed. You’ll find more parts, more articulation, and more complexity. This is the kit for those who are looking to step up their game and flex some model-building muscles.

Perfect for:

• Builders who are ready to take things to the next level

• Those who like a challenge but still want to keep their sanity intact

• People who actually want to show off their builds
  
  

RG – Real Grade: Small But Mighty

Now, we’re getting into some serious business. RG, or Real Grade, is like the high school athlete who can bench press more than their weight but is still somehow 5'2" and kind of adorable. These kits are 1/144 scale like HG, but they’re packed with way more detail and engineering—basically, they combine the small size of HG with the complexity of MG.

They’re for those who want a detailed build but don’t have the time (or space) for a massive kit. RG kits use advanced internal frames, so your little Gundam will be sturdy, poseable, and look way cooler than you thought a tiny model could.

Perfect for:

• People who want the complexity of MG but are short on space

• Builders who like cool engineering without giving up their desk space

• Anyone who enjoys the art of a small but ridiculously detailed build
  
  

PG – Perfect Grade: The Beast

And now, the PG, or Perfect Grade. If HG is the value menu and MG is an upgraded combo meal, PG is the 5-course Michelin-star dinner that costs more than your rent. This is the luxury end of the Gunpla world, and it’s a serious commitment.

PG kits are typically 1/60 scale, which means they are huge. They come with ridiculous amounts of detail, internal frame systems, light-up features (because, why not?), and more parts than you can shake a nipper at. This is the king of Gunpla kits—the one you break out when you’re feeling like a true hobbyist and want to make your friends question why you’re spending hours on a model instead of doing “normal” things.

Perfect for:

• Hardcore Gunpla builders who are ready to commit to a 10-hour session

• Those who have too much space and an unhealthy obsession with detail

• People who want to stare at their creation for days and pretend they’re the greatest model builder alive
  

TL;DR: Pick Your Poison

• HG: The gateway drug—affordable and simple, perfect for beginners.

• MG: You’re ready to get fancy—bigger, more complex, and more satisfying.

• RG: Small but sophisticated—perfect for detailed builds that don’t take up your whole room.

• PG: The big leagues—huge, intricate, and perfect for people who want to be really extra.
  

Still confused? Browse our full selection of kits here and figure out which grade speaks to your soul (or your shelf space). But no matter which one you choose, just remember—once you start, there’s no going back.