I've been building Gunpla for over 25 years, and I still remember the panic of standing in the hobby aisle trying to figure out whether the RG Exia in my hand was going to be a two-hour joy or a two-week nightmare.
The grade system seems simple enough: HG for beginners, RG for detail, MG for size. But after building roughly 60 kits across all three grades, I can tell you the marketing doesn't match the reality.
The HG is not always easy, the RG is not always worth the extra parts, and the MG is not always the "premium" experience you're paying for.
I've got the broken joints and the superglue scars to prove it.
Here's the short version before I get into the details:
Bandai Hobby - Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury - #03 Gundam Aerial HG 1/144 Model Kit
Perfect balance of build time, articulation, and price
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Bandai Hobby RG 1/144#32 Nu Gundam Char's Counterattack
Price: $89.73 (current Amazon price)
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Bandai Hobby #15 RG Gundam Exia Model Kit (1/144 Scale)
Real Grade version of the Gundam Exia offers detailed parts and articulation in a 1/144 scale kit, priced at $35.
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Bandai Spirits Hobby MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable's Mobile Suit Gundam (Red Comet Ver.) Gundam The Origin HG 1/144, Multi (BAS5057656), 11.89 Inch
Solid classic build, great shelf presence
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Bandai Hobby RG 1/144#32 Nu Gundam Char's Counterattack
Real Grade version of the Gundam Exia combines the intricate part complexity of the higher end MG and PG lines with the size and affordability of the HG and SD lines into a new product that draws insp
Visit on Amazon →How I Test
I don't test kits with aftermarket parts or custom paint. Every kit gets the same treatment: straight build, no glue unless a part genuinely needs it, no paint unless the color separation fails. I keep a part-fit scorecard for every build, I check seam lines honestly, and I pose every kit until something either breaks or impresses me.
My cat Miso supervises from the corner of my workbench, judging my nub removal with the same intensity she judges my life choices.
The build times I quote are for an experienced builder working with good nippers, a hobby knife, and a glass file. If you're new, add 50% to 100% to every number.
HG Gundam Aerial
The HG Aerial is the kit I recommend to everyone who asks me where to start, and I've been recommending it for over a year now. It's also the kit I've watched an eight-year-old build almost entirely by himself, which tells you something about the engineering.
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The build takes about 2 hours for me, maybe 4 for a beginner. Everything snaps together perfectly, no glue needed, no parts that fight you. The color separation is so good that you don't need to paint it, though I will say it looks a bit flat without panel-lining.
The articulation is surprising for an HG, the legs can basically do a full split, and the torso has a range of motion that puts some MGs I've built to shame.
Here's the flaw: the kit needs panel-lining to pop. Out of the box, it looks clean and a bit plain. Ten minutes with a panel-liner and a cotton swab turns it into something that looks like it came out of a showroom in Japan. That's not a bug, it's a feature. It teaches beginners the one skill that matters most without overwhelming them.
At ~$20, this is the lowest-risk entry point in the hobby. I've bought three of them just to experiment with different panel-lining techniques. My friend's grandson built one and had a blast, and the kit survived being dropped twice during assembly.
RG Nu Gundam
The RG Nu Gundam is the kit that convinced me Real Grade is worth the frustration. It's also the kit that reminded me why I hate tiny parts.
The build took me about 8 hours spread across three evenings. The detail is absurd for a 1/144 scale kit. The fin funnel backpack is massive, the articulation is incredible, and the finished piece has a presence that honestly rivals some Master Grades I've built. The inner frame is a marvel of engineering, and unlike some RGs, the Nu holds its poses without sagging.
The problem is the size. This is a small kit with a lot of parts, and some of those parts are genuinely tiny. I dropped a thruster piece on the floor and spent twenty minutes looking for it, only to find it stuck to Miso's tail. The water slides are also a nightmare at this scale. I skipped most of them and the kit still looks fantastic.
The price has crept up to around ~$45, which is steep for a 1/144 kit. But when you consider the build time and the final display piece, it works out to about ~$5.60 an hour for the build alone, and you'll keep this on your shelf for years. I've had mine for two years and it's still one of my favorite displays.
MG Char's Zaku II
The MG Char's Zaku II is a classic, and I mean that in the most complicated way possible.
I built this kit about ten years ago, and it's still on my shelf. The build is straightforward, the inner frame is solid, and the finished kit has a presence that HGs just can't match. The mono-eye is on a track, which is a small detail that never gets old. At ~$45, it's a good value for a Master Grade.
Here's the honest criticism: this kit is old. The inner frame is dated compared to newer MGs, the color separation is not as good as modern kits, and the seam lines are visible in places where you'll notice them.
This kit genuinely needs paint to look its best, which is not something I say about many Bandai kits.
The tubing on the legs is also a pain, little plastic pieces that don't always want to stay in place.
If you're a Zaku fan, this is a must-own. If you're a beginner looking for your first MG, I'd point you elsewhere. The build is not hard, but the finish work required to make it look good is beyond what a first-timer should deal with.
The RG Exia Situation (B08VGKFDBT and)
I'm reviewing these two together because they're essentially the same kit. The RG Exia has been released twice, once in 2011 and once in 2020 with updated packaging and a few tweaks. Both are about ~$35.
The Exia is one of the best RG kits in terms of articulation. The GN sword folds up, the waist has a range of motion that's genuinely impressive, and the kit can hold some dynamic poses. The color separation is great, and the finished build looks sharp without paint.
The problem is the frame. The RG Exia uses an earlier Real Grade frame design, and it's a bit finicky. Some joints are tight to the point of being scary, and I've heard plenty of stories about broken parts. I didn't break mine, but I was nervous the whole time. The small parts are small, and the water slides are so tiny I didn't bother with them.
The newer version is the one I'd buy, but honestly, if you're choosing between the Exia and the Nu Gundam, get the Nu. The Nu is a better kit in every way, and it's only ~$10 more.
The Action Base 4
This is not a kit, but I'm including it because you will need it.
I've built several MGs that cannot stand on their own with their backpacks attached, and the Action Base 4 is the solution. It's a clean, clear stand that works with 1/100 scale kits. It's ~$15, it's easy to assemble, and it does exactly what it's supposed to do.
The only issue is that you'll need one for every MG you build, and that adds up. I've got five of these on my shelf right now, and I've bought at least ten total over the years. If you're building MGs, factor this into your budget.
Which Grade Should You Build?
Here's the thing about the grade system: it's not linear. HG is not "easy mode," RG is not "HG but better," and MG is not "the best." Each grade has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends entirely on what you want out of the build.
Choose the HG Aerial if you're new, if you're on a budget, or if you want a kit you can finish in one evening. It's the best first kit in the hobby, and it's cheap enough that mistakes don't hurt.
Choose the RG Nu Gundam if you want maximum detail for ~$45 and you're okay with small parts and a longer build. It's the best RG I've built, and it holds up against MGs in terms of visual impact.
Choose the MG Char's Zaku II if you want a classic and you're willing to put in the work to make it look good. It's a great kit for experienced builders, but I would not recommend it as a first MG.
And if you're staring at the MGEX Strike Freedom like I was, wait. I've broken a wing joint on mine, I've watched the gold plating scratch in visible places, and I've spent hours on an inner frame that got completely hidden. It's a beautiful kit, but it's an expert's kit, and it costs ~$180. I still love it, but I'll never pose it again.
Start with the Aerial. Work your way up. And buy a good pair of nippers before you buy anything else.