Gunpla Grade
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Over the years, Bandai has been continuously improving the quality of Gundam Plastic Kits or Gunpla kits to satisfy the needs of modellers around the world. Although there were kits from Bandai that were from other mecha and sci-fi series, the most popular model series have been from the Gundam lines. There were but a few changes made over the 30 years of Gunpla release.
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[edit] Non Graded Models
Before Bandai began the process of labeling it's various model lines, there was no special designation for any given lineup of models other than it's originating TV series. As such, all models lacking a specific grade are commonly referred to as Non-graded. These are a mixed group, as they each came from different periods and do not share clear design plans, but they can be loosely grouped by the date of their casting.
[edit] Late 1970s - 1980s
The first Gundam show debuted in 1979 and thus the first Gunpla kits came in the early 80s. Models produced during this era were considered non-graded models which lack articulation and detail. Furthermore, these kits needed cement or glue to fix the parts together and in order to achieve a likeness to the anime, paint is something that cannot be missed. Fans need to be at least novice modellers in order to completely detail these kits to perfection. These kits normally come in a maximum of 3 colours with parts on each sprue having the same colour all the way even if the part wasn't supposed to be in that colour.
[edit] 1990s
Polycaps were incorporated in the late 80s to early 90s after production of a line of kits from the Round Vernian Vifam series. These kits, although still require glue, but would feature polycaps that are made from soft rubber plastic for better articulation of joints. The Gundam Sentinel model line introduced the concept of snap together models, and Beginning from the Universal Century series Char's Counterattack, all model kits feature snap-fit assembly.
Beginning with Victory Gundam, a unified set of polycap joints was created for smaller scale models that allowed easy mass production of models that all shared the same basic joint types, allowing bandai to release more models in a shorter time span. As a result, the TV shows of the 90s usually received sizable 1/144 model lines. These are all of similar quality, with some attention to colors molded in the right area, a reasonable level of detail for their price point, and mobility as such that all major joints had at least some degree of mobility.
[edit] 2000s
Gundam Seed introduced a new type of non graded model, with a completely different design plan. While these still featured snap fit and color molding, they omit major joints, opting instead to only allow critical pieces to move- typically the neck, hips, shoulders, and feet. These are budget models, usually retailing much lower than other models, and this line was extensive, covering nearly every machine to be featured in the TV series.
Seed also featured non graded 1/100 models, but these are identical in quality to Bandai's High Grade offerings.
[edit] First Grade
A limited selection of budget models featuring only the RX-78-2 Gundam and the Zaku II in normal and Char Aznable colorings. These are snap fit but do not feature polycaps and are not color molded. This line was intended as a homage to the original gundam models.
[edit] HG (High Grade)
The High Grade series began in 1990 with a limited run of /144 models that featured full snap fit assembly and utilizing a molding technique called 'system injection', wherein multiple colors would be cast on the same part. These were better detailed and more posable on average than other kits from the same time period, but the line would be limited to only a handful of releases.
These were kits have since been produced from the mid-90s onward and feature better quality plastic and details as well as snap-fit assembly. While the practice of applying multiple colors to a single part did not continue due to quality control issues, from this line onwards parts were given in multiple colours even if they are on one sprue or frame.
Beginning with Victory Gundam in 1993, the HG line would shift to relatively well detailed larger scale kits in the 1/100 scale. There were need for little painting and detailing. These applied for the 1/100 scale models produced between 1993 and 1998, including Victory Gundam, G gundam, Gundam Wing, Gundam X, and Gundam Wing Endless Waltz. Each TV series would receive on average between 6 and 8 models in this scale and grade.
High grade models in the 1/144 scale were introduced with the model line for the Gundam Wing Side Story "G-Unit", (Last Outpost), with the OVA series 08th MS Team and Endless Waltz also receiving models in this scale and grade.
It is from the High Grade series that both the currently running HGUC and MG lines originated- HGUC continuing from the 08th MS team model line, while the initial MG releases were clearly influenced by the 1/100 lineup from Gundam Wing.
Running concurrently with the HGUC line, Gundam Seed and it's sequals, as well as Gundam 00 received High Grade 1/144 lines. These are nearly identical in quality to the High Grade Universal Century line.
While they are not labeled as such, the non graded 1/100 models from Turn A Gundam, Gundam Seed and 00 are also clearly inspired by the HG 1/100 lines and feature a similar level of quality, being High Grade models in all but name.
[edit] HGUC (High Grade Universal Century)
Later in the 90s, Bandai decided to release a whole HG lot based on the original timeline of Gundam series, Universal Century. HGUC kits were standard mold of 1/144 Scale and feature snap fit assembly as well as almost-to-actual details and colours. Some kits also feature plastic cloured stands for action poses or for kits that are too heavy to stand by themselves.
[edit] MG (Master Grade)
In the late 90s, 1/100 Scale modelling leaped through another step as the new Master Grade models finally made its appearance. MG kits consists of features similar to those of the HG and HGUC but better. This line of plastic kits was the first to feature a moveable inner frame system which enables superb movements and bending of joints. The popularity of this line was so great that a lot of old and new kits from non-graded series (even from the Seed and Seed Destiny lines) received the MG treatment. The boxes of MG kits are normally bulkier and bigger. MG kits come in a standard scale of 1/100 even for very big sized Mobile Suits (like the Perfect Zeong, Sazabi and MSA-0011(Ext) Ex-S Gundam ). In addition, all transformable mobile suits or units can now fully transform without needing to use extra body parts beginning from this series. Certain Master Grade kits are said to rival their Perfect Grade counterparts due to the inclusion of the inner frame, number of parts and sheer quality.
[edit] PG (Perfect Grade)
Upon releasing Master Grades, Bandai challenged their plastic kits abilities by going to the limits of what plastic kits can do. The Perfect Grade comes in standard 1/60 Scale but are superbly detailed in terms of colour and its inner frame. Perfect Grade kits are extremely limited in range, and usually only highly popular kits are serialized in PG 1/60. In fact, despite the popularity of the Gundam Seed/Destiny series, thus far only the Strike has received the PG treatment. Perfect Grade kits are usually highly expensive, and are often at least twice more so then the 1/100 MG series. However it has often been argued by modelers that it can be justified simply due to the extra size and complexity of the kits.
