15 Best Gundam Model Kits for Beginners
It’s no secret that choosing the right Gunpla can be a daunting task for beginners, but don’t worry, you’re not alone!
Building Gundam models is an exciting and rewarding hobby, but selecting the perfect kit to start with can be a challenge. The good news is, I’m here to help you navigate the process and find the perfect Gundam model kit for your first build.
A short list of tools every beginner needs to get started
Here are the basic tools you’ll need to build your first Gundam model. Items 1-5 are essential to building a well-constructed model that looks professional, while 6-7 are optional and can enhance your model-building skills.
- Side cutters: These are essential for removing parts from the plastic sprues without damaging them. A good pair of side cutters will make this process much easier and cleaner.
- Hobby knife: A hobby knife is useful for trimming off excess plastic from parts, smoothing out rough edges, and making modifications to your kit.
- Sandpaper or sanding sticks: These are useful for smoothing out rough edges and removing nubs left over from cutting the parts off the sprue.
- Tweezers: These are useful for handling small parts that are difficult to pick up with your fingers.
- Cutting mat: A cutting mat will protect your work surface from scratches and cuts while you’re trimming and cutting your model parts.
- Paint and brushes: While not strictly necessary, painting your Gundam model can add a lot of detail and customization. You’ll need some acrylic paint, brushes, and possibly some masking tape if you want to do any custom designs.
- Panel lining marker: This is an optional tool, but it can add a lot of detail to your kit. A panel lining marker is used to fill in the recessed lines in the plastic to make them stand out more.
With these tools, you’ll be well on your way to building your first Gundam model! As you progress in the hobby, you may find that you need additional tools, such as a airbrush kit, but these are not necessary for beginners.
our 15 top picks for the best beginner-friendly Gundam models
1. 1/144 HGUC Zaku I Sniper Type
This MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type from the Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story is an excellent choice amongst the high-grade model kits.
It comes with a fitted kit to build the external armor of MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type, a sniper, two barrels, and a backpack, amongst others and is fully articulated when complete.
Price Range – $45 – $58
Features
● Fully articulated when completed
● Made of plastic
● 1/144 Scale
● Features an energy backpack that powers the rifle
Pros
● Support Brace for stability
● No glue is required for assembly
● Little to no paint is required to replicate the appearance
Cons
● It still uses the old solid plastic ball joints
● No enclosed housing
2. 1/144 HGUC Gunpla Starter Set: Gundam Vs. Zaku II (Contains 2 models)
The HGUC Gunpla Starter set is the right choice for a combo for anyone looking to create the perfect duo. You get to start your modeling journey with an edge.
You get to build the HGUC RX -78-2 Gundam and the Zaku II.
Both kits feature the universal century kit designs with all their original weapons configurations. It comes with fitted accessories to build the Zaku II, its machine gun and bazooka, missile launchers, a heat hawk, two beam sabers, rifle, and a hyper bazooka.
Price Range – $45 – $58
Features
● Fully articulated when completed
● Made of plastic
● 1/144 Scale
● Features an energy backpack that powers the rifle
Pros
● Support Brace for stability
● No glue is required for assembly
● Little to no paint is required to replicate the appearance
Cons
● Hazardous small parts for kids
● Not enough articulation
3. 1/100 MG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0
This Gunpla model is an advanced, high-performance mobile suit that can be constructed to be more powerful than the standard mobile suits.
It usually has a pair of white or yellow V fins on its head with an accompanying white and blue color scheme. The kit comes with a removable super napalm attachment, two beam sabers, a super shield, a hyper bazooka, a Gundam hammer, and a beam javelin.
Price Range – $52 – $95
Features
● 1/100 scale
● Great looks
● Great Articulation
● Standard Pilot Figures
● Realistic pose when assembled
Pros
● Anti-loose
● Arms have a full 360-degree range of motion
● Solid Build and Sturdy
Cons
● Instructions are in Japanese
4. HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam Revive
The HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam Revive continues to be among the favorite Gunpla kits I’ve ever constructed, and it is a perfect first choice for any beginner’s collection.
The kit comes with a super manipulator, 2 beam savers, a pair of multipurpose weapon-holder, a beam rifle, shield, hyper bazooka, and a storage adapter.
Price Range – $26 – $41
Features
● Articulation in every joint.
● Comes with armor, beam saber, beam rifle, and bazooka
Pros
● Has the best articulation and proportion of all the HGUC models.
● Allows you to paint the model
Cons
● Very minimal detailing.
● Basic, old-school design.
5. HG Gundam Helios
The double wings and double satellite canons are the defining features of the HG Gundam Helios.
It comes with more advanced parts like the aeroelastic wings of the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam and Psycho-Frame from the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam.
This kit comes with double satellite canons, a beam rifle, 2 large beam swords, a super beam shield, hand parts and foil sticker sheets.
Price Range – $24 – $30
Features
● 1/144 scale
● Its Design Combines Features From Popular Mobile Suits; Based on the Gundam Breaker Battlogue series
● The Freedom Gundam’s wings and double satellite cannon
● Injection Plastic
Pros
● All parts are removable
● Sturdy and Solid
Cons
● Stand and other accessories not included
● Instructions may or may not include English translation
6. HGUC Nightingale
The Nightingale is a super Gundam model with a massive body about 40cm wide and 21cm tall.
With antenna blocks that can be deployed and moved to expose inner finer details, a notable mono eye, movable funnel binders and manipulators, replaceable landing gear, and movable propeller tanks, the HGUC can be modeled to give a powerful realistic Beam Tomahawk effect.
This gunpla kit comes with a mega beam rifle, beam tomahawk effects part, super shield, interchangeable hands, foil sticker, marking sticks and the beam Saber (x4).
Price Range – $129 – $169
Features
● 1/144 Scale
● Super Articulation
● Great pose when assembled
● HG version of Nightingale from Mobile Suit Gundam
● Sturdy
Pros
● Foldable and movable parts
● Brace joints for support
● Optional parts with gimmicks are included.
● No glue is required for assembly
Cons
● Instructions may or may not include English translation
● A hobby nipper is required to remove parts from runners
7. HGUC Gouf Revive
The iconic HGUC Gouf Revive comes with Bandai’s latest color separation technology that gives it a distinctive blue with a richer hue than ever.
The size makes it beginner friendly and easy to build. The gunpla kit comes with a heat rod, manipulators, a right weapon-holding hand, a poseable left Machine Gun manipulator, a super shield, and 2 heat swords.
Price Range – $25 – $49
Features
● 1/144 Scale
● Made of plastic
● Part of the High-Grade figure line
● Multicolored unique design
● Plastic
● Fully poseable when assembled
Pros
● Includes a freely-flexible heat rod
● Wide range of pose-ability
● Easy to assemble
● Solid and Sturdy
Cons
● Reduced detailing
8. RG Wing Gundam
Once completed, the RG wing Gundam model can transform from a robot into bird form, and become a fully articulated figure worthy of choice.
This beginner friendly kit comes with a buster rifle, a super shield, a beam saber, a weapon handle right hand, and three pairs of hand parts.
Price Range – $57 – $79
Features
● Multi-colored unique design.
● Plastic
● Stylishly Sculpted
● Dynamic pose ability
● Sturdy
Pros
● Well articulated
● Advanced MS Joint
● Less Fragile than other RG
Cons
● Does not have the best balance.
● Does not include a stand.
● Details are not as wowing as other RG kits.
9. Full Mechanics Calamity Gundam
The new complete GAT-X131 Calamity Gundam with its kafer Zweig (shield) that comes with a swinging barrel and Todesu block is a super choice for any beginners collection.
The model comes with a Calamity bazooka and shield that have ram cannons and it becomes a very posable action figure when assembled.
Price Range – $66 – $123
Features
● 1/100 Scale
● Made of plastic
● From the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED anime
● Mobile Suit’s hefty silhouette enables dynamic action poses
● Posable Action Figure when assembled.
● Great Articulation
Pros
● Joint gimmicks
● Moving Ram cannons
Cons
● Intricate build parts
10. Gundam Barbatos Iron-Blooded Orphans Model Kit
The Gundam Barbatos Model Kit is another excellent choice for any beginner’s collection.
The low price point allows you to experiment and you can also decide to fill in small details with the included stickers, or challenge yourself by painting these areas.
It incorporates fine skeletal inner frames, and allows for interchangeability of armor parts between different kits.
This Gundam model comes with a sword, a mace, foil sticker and a double backpack arm.
Price Range – $66 – $123
Features
● 1/100 Scale
● Made of plastic
● From the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED anime
● Mobile Suit’s hefty silhouette enables dynamic action poses
● Posable Action Figure when assembled.
● Great Articulation
Pros
● Joint gimmicks
● Moving Ram cannons
Cons
● Intricate build parts
11. HG Zaku from the Gundam The Origin
This Gunpla model is super amazing, with realistic poseability when assembled.
It also comes with extra goodies, especially if you are getting the HG Zaku II Type C-6/R6, or the Zaku II Ortega Custom.
ThHG Zaku kit comes with a Machine gun, a bazooka, an anti-ship rifle, 2 bazooka magazines, and the heat hawk.
Price Range – $35 – $50
Features
● Based on the design used in the calmer Squadron.
● Multi-colored unique design
Pros
● Thruster effects
● Heat hawk (Stored form)
● Weapons can be mounted on the body through various hardpoints
● Amazing details
● Great decals
● Stunning articulation
● Variety of equipment
● No weight issues
● Joints are easy to move
Cons
● Some ugly nub marks on gray and black parts
● Have to switch pegs for variation
12. Gundam Kimaris Trooper HG
The Gundam Kimaris Trooper is an amazing gunpla model that can be transformed into its trooper form – the unique, four-legged form that enables the mobile suit to hover above the ground.
This easy to build kit comes with a battle form kamaris saber, a destroyer lance, a kimaris shield, a multi slot accelerator, and a mine.
Price Range – $48 – $54
Features
● 1/100 scale
● Multi slot accelerator
● Semi transformable suit.
● Special action base
● Plastic
Pros
● Special hand for positioning its massive Destroyer Lance.
● Can be transformed between hovering mode and Mobile Suit Mode.
● Easy to build
Cons
● Not too strong joints
13. Bandai Hobby Wing Gundam Zero Version EW 1/100 – Master Grade
The Wing Gundam model is an elaborate one because of its detailed wings, but it is still something that any beginner should be able to handle.
With realistic poseability when assembled,you can transform the mobile suit into its high-speed aircraft form, called Bird Mode.
The kit comes with some amazing looking wings, a twin buster rifle, 2 beam sabers, a shield, a pedestal, and foil sticker.
Price Range – $68 – $ 79
Features
● 1/100 Scale
● Realistic possibility when assembled
● Plastic
● Multi-colored unique design
● Dynamic model kit
Pros
● Requires no glue to assemble
● Internal skeletal frame
● Unfolding and interactive gimmicks
Cons
● Many small pieces
● Intricate parts
14. HG Z’gok
The HG Z’Gok Gunpla is characterized by its smooth, watertight armor and curved, aquadynamic silhouette.
Its fewer pieces make it easy to build, simple and inexpensive, and it is a perfect fit for any beginners collection.
Price Range – $27 – $42
Features
● The unique design of the MS
● Segmented ABS Joints
● Good Articulation
Pros
● Easy to build
● Movable arms with Claws
● Posable via multi-segmented
● Painting not required
● Quite articulate considering the strange design.
● Very sturdy for a kit, with no loose joints or fuss.
● Affordable
Cons
● Plastic colors are very susceptible to bad nub marks.
● Monoeye can’t move.
15. RX-78T Gundam Titans Version
The RX-78T Gundam Titans Version is an amazing Gunpla model with excellent poseability when assembled.
This kit comes with a beam rifle, a beam javelin, a 60mm Vulcan gun, a beam saber, hyper hammer, Gundam hammer, hyper bazooka, and a super shield.
Price range – $60 – $77
Features
● LED Powered Battery
● Sensor Arrays
● Made With Plastic
● Highly engineered model kit based on the Gundam Mk 2 from “Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Pros
● No Glue is required for assembling
● Unique color scheme
Cons
● A hobby nipper is required to remove parts from runners
Beginners Tips on Gundam Models
If you are unsure on how to get started on your modeling journey, or which of the gundam models you should start with, here are some good tips that helped me out and should definitely do the same for you:
1. Stick with Newer Models
The newer models are easier to build and give you more adaptable features to build.
Older kits have earlier forms of plastic molding that are harder to build, and you should start with the models that would help you achieve your objective with ease.
2. Use the Right Tools
The basic tools that you are going to need would include a side cutter, hobby knife, rubber eraser, water, paint, tweezer, and spray paint.
This would help you start building and assembling, but it is important that you also learn to use complex tools for when you eventually scale up and start building more complex models.
Knowing and using the right tools is essential to your Gundam journey.
3. Pick a model you like
In my experience, choosing a model you like is more important than even choosing a model because it is easier to build. It would give you more motivation to finish building the model as it now has intrinsic value to you.
4. Start with the High Grade and SD
These grades are your best bet if you want to get started building. You don’t have to jump into Perfect Grade (PG) or Master Grade (MG) kits as a beginner. Start and grow with the HG and SD Model, as they are not that stressful to build, but still look epic and amazing.
Where to buy Your First Gundam Model Kit
Here are some recommended sites you can easily order and get your own Gundam model kit.
● Amazon
● HLJ store.(www.hlj.com)
● Gundam Planet ( www.gundamplanet.com)
● USA Gundam Store (www.usagundamstore.com)
● The Gundam Galaxy (www.thegundamgalaxy.com
● eBay (www.ebay.com)
Conclusion
If you’re a beginner looking to get into the world of Gundam model building, there are plenty of excellent options out there for you to choose from.
We’ve compiled a list of the 15 best Gundam models for beginners, based on their ease of assembly, affordability, and overall appeal.
With the right tools and a little bit of patience, each one of the models listed here can create a truly impressive display piece to show off to your friends and fellow model builders.
