12 Best High Grade Gundam Models (Gunpla)
High Grade kits are the most collectible line of Gundams, primarily because of the wide variety of options you can choose from as well as its affordability.
HG kits are especially ideal for beginner builders and people who don’t want more than a moderate amount of parts to assemble.
Why is a High Grade Gundam kit good
HG kits are not as inferior as they used to be when compared with the other grades of Gundam kits, as their poseability and detailing have significantly improved in recent years.
The articulation in newer HG kits is also excellent and even comparable to that of Master Grade kits.
High Grade Kits are a great choice for any Gundam enthusiast because they always offer a fun and simple building experience.
Read Our Reviews Of Other Gundam Model Grades:
12 Best Real Grade Gundam Models (Gunpla)
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11 Best Perfect Grade Gundam Models (Gunpla)
11 Best Master Grade Gundam Models (Gunpla)
What are some of the features HG Gunpla kits have?
HG kits nowadays are made with a high level of sophistication that can even be compared to the more pricey models. Some of these kits now boast internal frames and the color separation in HG kits has improved a lot.
These kits also usually include some foil stickers to help boost the detailing of your model, and you could even find a HG kit with clear stickers as the model’s decals.
1. HGBF GM/GM
Most builders refer to this high grade kit as simple, fun, and solid. It marked the introduction of the GM into the HGBF series.
Price Range: $38-$53
Features
This kit comes with three different head parts that you can display based on your preference.
The set includes a shield, two beam sabers, seven runners, a sticker sheet, a beam spray gun, and an instruction manual.
The 3 mm joints that surround the model allow you to combine it with GMGM weapons.
Pros
This is a very simple kit and it requires no paint out of the box.
It is a great kit for beginners as the parts are generally very stable.
It contains ports that allow you to use other Gunpla accessories to customize the kit.
Cons
The forearms tend to have problems staying together so there is a very visible gap down the arm.
The thrusters on the back fall off pretty easily, although you can glue these back on easily.
2. HGUC RX-105 Xi Gundam
The inspiration for this Gundam kit came from Hathaway’s Flash, and the original Gundam from the movie is about 26 meters tall. So naturally, the kit is also massive, standing at about 7″ tall.
Price Range: $71-$85
Features
Has very large parts with underside and rear detailing.
This kit also has a massive silhouette with a densely packed design.
The kit includes two beam sabers, a set of foil stickers, a shield, a beam rifle, as well as a rifle holding hand, and holding hands.
Pros
The points of articulation are well-placed to ensure a full range of motion throughout the body.
You can easily recreate the transformation into Flight form by rearranging the parts.
The number of stickers was reduced significantly to give even less work to the builders and make it more screen accurate.
Lack of polycaps makes this kit very stable and sturdy.
Cons
Its poseability could be better, especially in the waist and feet.
It is a fun build, but it’s quite overpriced.
3. High Grade UC RX-78-2 Revive
This is a “revived” version of the original RX-78-2 that was released in honor of Gundam’s 35th anniversary.
Price Range: $20-$30
Features
Double-jointed elbows and knees that allow the kit to bend the knee and unsheathe a beam saber.
Open hands and weapon-holding hands to allow the recreation of iconic poses.
The kit includes two beam sabers, a beam rifle, a hyper bazooka, a foil sticker, five runners, and an instruction manual.
Pros
This kit has an updated mold that allows for better poseability.
Same price as the original RX-78-2 for a much more detailed kit.
Ideal for beginners as many of the areas you sand down are eventually concealed so you have more room for mistakes.
Cons
No light piping mechanism that supports the eyes, so the model sports a dead look.
4. High Grade UC RX-78-2
This model kit is often referred to by Gundam enthusiasts as the “granddaddy of Gunpla kits”. It is so iconic that more than 15 variations of it have been produced*.
Price Range: $15-$25
Features
This model is a non-transformable fighter.
It comes with two beam sabers, a beam rifle, a bazooka, a shield, a trigger-finger, and a multipurpose weapon-holding hand.
Pros
This kit is a very fun build and it has surprisingly great poseability.
The joints are very sturdy and are able to hold the limbs in awkward positions.
Regarded by many as the best kit to purchase for beginners.
Cons
The beam sabers sometimes fall off.
The color of the weapons don’t match the kit.
5. HGUC Nightingale
Ever since the Nightingale Gundam showed up in “Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack – Beltorchika’s Children”, its release as a Gundam kit has been very highly anticipated.
Price Range: $82-$112
Features
This model’s body is about 21cm tall and 40cm wide, which is quite huge for a 1/144 scale Gundam kit.
The kit includes foil stickers, a shield, four beam sabers, a large mega beam rifle, a beam tomahawk, marking stickers, and interchangeable hands.
Pros
The knee and elbow joints are moveable on two axes for better poseability.
Extensive jointing is used at the groin, ankles, shoulders, and forearms to boost mobility.
Cons
It’s fairly expensive for a High Grade kit.
This kit has a significantly longer build time than most HGs.
6. Barbatos Lupus HG IBO 1/144
This Gundam model came from the Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans anime. It is one of the best kits to choose if you want to fully express yourself as it provides a blank canvas where you can work on your painting and detailing skills.
Price Range: $15-$25
Features
This kit is made of PS, PE, and PVC.
It comes with a sword mace, two joints, two backpack arms, and hands to hold the weapons.
Pros
Great articulation, especially in the shoulder area and this makes the model very poseable.
New color additions and a redesigned exterior that make this model eye-catching.
Great armaments also come with kit, and all at a relatively low price.
Cons
The fins at the top of the chest armor often get in the way of the shoulder movement.
Requires a bit of paint to look its best.
7. HG Gundam Asmoday/Asmodeus
This Gundam kit is particularly fascinating as it was inspired by a mobile game, instead of a series. The suit is based on the Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdu-Hunt mobile game.
Price Range: $23-$37
Features
This Gundam model has a very unique design with some outstanding accessories and gimmicks.
The kit includes a rifle, one lead wire, one seal, one gran tonfa, and a gigant javelin.
Pros
The kit’s frame is engineered to comfortably accommodate new gimmicks like the Gigant Javelin anchor.
The unique set of accessories that come with this model make its playability very high.
Cons
It has a lot of stickers when compared to other HG kits.
This kit has a few loose joints, as well as a weak chest and waist.
8. HG RX-75-4 Guntank
This is a very basic kit, and rightly so because it was released over 20 years ago. It is still one of the most highly regarded kits in the Gundam universe and it is very iconic.
Price Range: $10-$15
Features
This kit has cannons that pivot up and down as well as a head that pivots only on a ball-joint neck.
It also has bop missile launchers that can rotate.
The suit’s cockpit can be removed to reveal the pilot figurine.
Pros
You need absolutely no paint and it looks good straight out of the box.
One of the easiest Gundam kits you can ever build.
It does not need an action base.
Cons
The seam lines are quite bad on this model.
The pegs are fragile and torso joints could be much better.
You might need to glue down many pieces of this kit.
9. HG Gundam GP02A
This is another excellent HG kit choice and it is so big that its own display is included for proper poseability. It was birthed out of a collaboration between Bandai, Banpresto, Sunrise, and Bandai Namco Games, in their “Harmony of Gundam” project.
Price Range: $44-$57
Features
This kit comes with rear and front atomic bazooka halves.
It also includes a shield, two beam sabers, and a display stand.
Pros
This model has full articulation due to the polycapped joints.
There are many accessories you can utilize including a massive bazooka and shield, beam saber effect parts, and alternate hand parts.
Cons
The plastic used for joints can break easily.
10. HGUC Mk-II Zeta Gundam
After first showing up thirty years ago in the animated TV series “Zeta Gundam”, the Gundam MK-II has resurfaced as a High Grade kit. This model utilizes a re-imagined aesthetic that strikes a perfect balance between dynamic movement and appearance accuracy.
Features
New molding techniques help to make assembly leave less visible marks thanks to the “kusabi” gate.
The kit includes beam sabers, a shield, a beam rifle, a head mounted Vulcan pod, and clay bazooka.
Pros
This Gundam kit has a great amount of detailing.
The articulation is superb and you could almost mistake it for a Real Grade kit.
The assembly is quite simple and building this model is an enjoyable process.
Cons
This kit comes with many tiny stickers which could be problematic for many beginner builders.
The two beam sabers are very long and look weird when fixed on the model.
11. HGAC XXXG-01D Gundam Deathscythe
This model kit comes from the very popular “Gundam Wing” anime series, and it is one more excellent addition to the HGAC line.
Price Range: $19-$35
Features
The HGAC XXXG-01D Gundam Deathscythe has the conic buster shield and beam scythe with an unfolding gimmick.
The kit also includes effect parts for the beam scythe, effect part for the buster shield, and a set of foil stickers.
Pros
This model has great color and parts separation with the only major color correcting sticker being for the red V on the waist.
It also has some nice gimmicks that boost articulation including joint locking knee armor and movable shoulder joint polycaps.
Cons
The dark plastic needs some extra care or clean up.
12. HG Gundam 00 Command QAN[T]
This is one of the more stylish options on this list with a very attractive silhouette and a large number of weapons. This Gundam model is customized by adding elements of Command Gundam to the 00 Qan[T].
Price Range: $26-$28
Features
This model has a renewed look with a vibrant deep green color.
It comes with a large number of weapons including heavy machine guns, the arms shield, and missile launchers.
The kit also includes a command sword, two combat knives, and foil seals.
Pros
The articulation is excellent, especially in the legs.
It can take all the accessories and equipment at once, which is a testament to its great stability and sturdiness.
It is a very fun build with a lot of weapon options to choose from.
Cons
The shoulder armor makes poseability in the arms feel limited.
