Beginner's guide

So you want to build Gundam models

Gunpla is one of the most satisfying hobbies you can start with $50 and a kitchen table. The trick: knowing which grade to start with, and which three tools actually matter before you go deep on paint and custom work.

By Colin B. · Published May 24, 2026 · Last reviewed May 24, 2026

Photo by Louis Thai on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

Bandai Hobby HGCE 1/144 Freedom Gundam — The best HG starter kit — iconic design, modern snap-fit engineering, no painting required.
Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter for Plastic — Tamiya nippers are the single most important tool purchase for any new Gunpla builder.
GSI Creos Gundam Marker Panel Line Set (GM01/GM02/GM03) — Gundam Markers make panel lining foolproof — no thinner, no mess, huge visual upgrade.

Budget total

$65

Typical total

$110

A solid HG kit ($25), good nippers ($23), panel liner ($12), and a can of top coat ($10) puts you at $70. Add a cutting mat and hobby knife and you're at $110 for a complete setup that'll last years.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

Category	Top pick	Price	Where to buy
Model Kits	Bandai SpiritsBandai Hobby HGCE 1/144 Freedom Gundam	$$	See on Amazon →
Nippers	TamiyaTamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter for Plastic	$$	See on Amazon →
Panel Lining	Bandai SpiritsGSI Creos Gundam Marker Panel Line Set (GM01/GM02/GM03)	$	See on Amazon →
Top Coat	TamiyaTamiya TS-80 Flat Clear Spray	$	See on Amazon →
Work Tools	TamiyaTamiya 74016 Basic Tool Set for Plastic Models	$$	See on Amazon →

Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Start with HG (High Grade) only. Not MG. Not PG. Not RG. Every new builder who starts with a Master Grade because they like the design ends up frustrated by the part count and complexity. One or two HG kits first — then you'll know exactly what you're ready for.

Nippers are non-negotiable. You can technically pop plastic off the runner with a craft knife, but you'll leave nub marks everywhere. The $23 Tamiya side cutter pays for itself on the first kit. Don't start without one.

You don't need to paint to make a great-looking kit. Panel lining (tracing the recessed grooves with a dark marker) plus a matte top coat adds 80% of the visual impact that painting achieves at 20% of the effort and cost. Start there and decide if you want to go deeper later.

The gear

What you actually need

Photo by Jason Ng on Unsplash

Model Kits

The grade system is where beginners get tripped up. HG (High Grade, 1/144 scale) is where everyone should start — modern snap-fit engineering, realistic proportions, and none of the complexity that bogs down new builders. Entry Grade (EG) is even simpler if you want the absolute easiest first build. Real Grade (RG) is HG-size but with dramatically more detail and a fiddly inner frame — great second kit, not a first. Master Grade (MG, 1/100 scale) is the hobbyist sweet spot once you have a few builds under your belt. Perfect Grade (PG, 1/60 scale) is the pinnacle — 500+ parts, $250+, and genuinely requires experience to enjoy.

Model Kits — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Entry Grade (EG)

No tools needed. Best proof-of-concept kit.

Scale: 1/144
Parts: ~50-80
Build time: 1-2 hrs

Best for Absolute first-timers, kids, gift recipients who may not commit

Tradeoff Less detail than HG; you'll want to move up after one build

High Grade (HG)

The real start. Where most builders should begin.

Scale: 1/144
Parts: ~150-300
Build time: 3-8 hrs

Best for All new builders who are ready to invest in tools

Tradeoff Smaller scale makes panel lining and stickers fiddlier than MG

Real Grade (RG)

HG-size with MG-level detail. Fiddly inner frame.

Scale: 1/144
Parts: ~300-500
Build time: 8-15 hrs

Best for Builders who want HG shelf footprint but MG detail

Tradeoff Inner frame at 1/144 scale is very small — tweezers are required

Master Grade (MG)

The hobbyist sweet spot. Full inner frame, 1/100 scale.

Scale: 1/100
Parts: ~300-600
Build time: 15-30 hrs

Best for Builders with 3+ HG builds who want a serious project

Tradeoff Complexity spike is real — finish HGs first

Best starter

Bandai Spirits

Bandai Hobby HGCE 1/144 Freedom Gundam

The HGCE Freedom is one of the cleanest, best-engineered HG kits in the lineup — dynamic wing silhouette, great articulation, and modern snap-fit that goes together without hassle. Freedom is an iconic Mobile Suit that looks great on a shelf. Perfect first or second HG build.

What we like

Iconic design that photographs and displays beautifully
Modern engineering — pieces fit cleanly, no warping or sink marks
No paint needed; color accuracy from molded plastic alone

What to know

Wing joints can be fragile with over-rotation — be deliberate
Pre-applied stickers are an art form — take your time with them

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Bandai Spirits

BANDAI Entry Grade 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam

The Entry Grade is the easiest, cheapest way to see if Gunpla clicks. Under $10, no nippers required (runners break cleanly by hand), and the original Gundam design is timeless. Not a long build, but a perfect proof of concept before you invest in tools.

What we like

Under $10 — lowest-risk intro to the hobby
No nippers needed; designed to break from runner by hand cleanly
RX-78-2 is the original Gundam — the most recognized design

What to know

Noticeably simpler than HG or above — limited panel line detail
You'll outgrow the challenge of it after one build

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

Bandai Spirits

BANDAI MG 1/100 Freedom Gundam Ver.2.0

$$$

When you're ready for a real challenge, Master Grade Freedom 2.0 is where most builders land. 1/100 scale, detailed inner frame, and the same iconic design scaled up dramatically. Plan for 15-25 hours of build time and proper tools. The result belongs on a display case.

What we like

Dramatically more detail and presence than HG — a real showpiece
Inner frame gives you panel-open display options
1/100 scale makes panel lining and painting much more forgiving

What to know

15-25 hour build — not a weekend project
Part count is overwhelming for beginners; finish 2-3 HGs first

See on Amazon →

Nippers

This is not the category to skip. Nippers are how you cut plastic parts from the runner (the plastic tree they come attached to). Bad nippers stress-whiten the plastic at the cut and leave white nub marks that ruin the look. Good nippers cut clean in one pass. The difference between a $5 craft-store cutter and a proper Tamiya side cutter is immediately visible on your first kit. Once you've built a few HG kits and care about results, the God Hand single blade is the gold standard — it cuts so clean you almost need no sanding.

Best starter

Tamiya

Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter for Plastic

The Tamiya 74035 is what every beginning builder should start with. Precise blades, comfortable grip, and clean enough cuts that you'll rarely see white stress marks on dark plastic. Lasts for years if you only use it on plastic runners. At $23 it's the single best investment you make in this hobby.

What we like

Clean cuts that minimize white stress marks on plastic
Precise tip reaches tight runner placements
Lasts years with plastic-only use — one-time purchase

What to know

Pointy tips require care — don't drop on hard floors
Blades dull if used on anything other than plastic

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

God Hand

GodHand Ultimate Nipper 5.0 (GH-SPN-120)

$$$

The GodHand Ultimate Nipper 5.0 is the obsessive builder's tool. One ultra-sharp blade cuts from one side only, which prevents the stress-whitening that double-blade nippers cause on deep cuts. Cuts are so clean you can place parts right at the gate with almost no sanding. Japanese-made, $55, and absolutely worth it once you care about gate marks.

What we like

Single-blade design prevents stress-whitening on tricky cuts
Japanese-made precision — the tool serious builders use
Eliminates nearly all gate mark sanding when used correctly

What to know

Fragile — one wrong cut voids the blade
Premium price is overkill until you've finished 5+ HG kits

See on Amazon →

Panel Lining

Panel lining means tracing the recessed grooves in a kit with a dark color to give parts depth, shadow, and the look of real mechanical detail. It's the single best visual upgrade you can do without an airbrush. A plain HG kit panel-lined and top-coated looks 10x better than an unfinished one. Gundam Markers are the beginner-friendly approach — they flow into the grooves and wipe away from flat surfaces with a damp Q-tip. Tamiya Panel Accent Colors are enamel-based and require enamel thinner to clean up, but flow better on larger kits.

Best starter

Bandai Spirits

GSI Creos Gundam Marker Panel Line Set (GM01/GM02/GM03)

Gundam Markers are the foolproof way to panel line. Run the tip along a recessed groove, let it flow in, wipe the surface residue with a damp Q-tip or cotton swab. No thinner required, no fumes, no mess. The three-pack gives you black for dark parts, gray for medium parts, and brown for tan and sand-colored parts.

What we like

No thinner needed — clean up with a damp cotton swab
Three-color set handles every kit color scenario
Safe for apartment builds — no chemical fumes

What to know

Tips dry out with heavy use — refresh by pumping on scrap plastic
Flow is thinner than enamel-based panel liners on wide grooves

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Tamiya

Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color — Black

Once you've done a few kits and want sharper results, Tamiya's enamel panel liner flows deeper and more consistently than markers. The black is the most useful — it self-levels into grooves beautifully. Clean excess with enamel thinner on a cotton swab. Requires ventilation but delivers noticeably crisper lines on MG-scale kits.

What we like

Self-leveling formula flows into grooves better than markers
Enamel base cleans with thinner for precise removal
Noticeable quality upgrade on MG-scale or repainted kits

What to know

Requires enamel thinner — extra supply to keep on hand
Can craze plastic under heavy stress-point application

See on Amazon →

Top Coat

A matte top coat is the finish that ties everything together. It seals your panel lines so they don't smear, unifies the sheen across all the different plastic colors, and gives the kit a realistic flat look instead of a toy-like shine. This is the step that most new builders skip and then regret after seeing a finished, top-coated kit side by side with one that isn't. Spray it in a well-ventilated area from about 12 inches away in light, sweeping coats — never soak the surface.

Best starter

Tamiya

Tamiya TS-80 Flat Clear Spray

Tamiya's TS-80 is the easiest top coat for a beginner to use well. Lacquer-based, dries fast, and gives a consistent flat finish that significantly elevates any kit. Available at most hobby shops and ships on Amazon. One can covers 2-3 HG kits if you apply light coats.

What we like

Fast dry time — parts handled within 30 minutes
Consistent flat finish that unifies all plastic sheen variations
Widely available in hobby shops — easy to restock

What to know

Lacquer fumes need real ventilation — not suitable for all spaces
White frosting on humid or cold days — check conditions first

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

Mr. Hobby

Mr. Super Clear UV Cut Flat (170ml)

Mr. Super Clear is what most intermediate builders move to once they start panel lining or using water-slide decals. UV protection slows color fade over time, and the flat finish is exceptionally even. The 170ml bottle is more economical than rattle cans for heavy builders. Requires a spray can adapter or separate can.

What we like

UV protection slows yellowing — important for display kits
More economical per coat than individual rattle cans
Exceptionally even flat finish favored by competition builders

What to know

Still lacquer — same ventilation requirements apply
Requires a separate spray can propellant — more gear to buy

See on Amazon →

Work Tools

Beyond nippers, you need three things: a self-healing cutting mat to protect your table, a hobby knife to clean up gate marks and trim excess plastic, and tweezers for tiny stickers and decals. You can buy each separately, but Tamiya's basic tool set bundles what you need at a fair price. The cutting mat is the thing people skip and then regret — an OLFA or Tamiya mat lasts a decade and keeps your work surface clean and your blades sharper.

Best starter

Tamiya

Tamiya 74016 Basic Tool Set for Plastic Models

Tamiya's basic tool set includes a hobby knife, sanding sponge, and tweezers — the three tools you reach for constantly. Each piece is Tamiya quality: sharp out of the box, comfortable to use, and sized right for 1/144 and 1/100 scale work. Buying them together saves money versus individual purchases.

What we like

Knife, tweezers, and sanding sponge in one quality-checked bundle
Tamiya hobby knife is noticeably sharper than generic craft knives
Sized for 1/144 and 1/100 scale precision work

What to know

Blade replacement is a recurring cost — buy extras at purchase
No cutting mat included — pair with an OLFA mat

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

OLFA

OLFA Self-Healing Cutting Mat (A4)

An OLFA cutting mat is the quiet hero of a Gunpla workspace. Protects your table, keeps blades sharper (soft mat surface vs. hard wood), and gives you a clean grid reference. The A4 size fits on most desks without dominating the space. Buy it once and it lasts for years.

What we like

Self-healing surface extends knife blade life significantly
Printed grid helps with straight cuts and part alignment
Protects tables from hobby knife and loose nippers

What to know

Warps over time if stored rolled up — store flat
A4 can feel small once you move to MG builds

See on Amazon →

Going deeper

Your first Gundam build

Every Gunpla builder remembers their first kit. Here's what actually happens — and what makes the difference between a satisfying build and a frustrating one.

Read the guide →

Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

An airbrush — Amazing results are possible with top coat and markers alone. Get 5+ kits built before you invest in an airbrush, compressor, and the learning curve that comes with them.
Perfect Grade (PG) kits — 500+ parts, $250+, and they punish any bad habits from beginner builds. PG is a reward for a builder, not a starting point.
Scribing tools — Used to add panel lines that don't exist on the kit. Total overkill until you can build and finish a kit cleanly from what's already there.
Resin garage kits — Resin is a totally different skill set — cleanup, priming, sanding casting defects. Start with injection-plastic Bandai kits. Resin is a post-graduation project.
Water-slide decal set — Decals elevate a finished kit, but the application requires a sealed surface and patience. Learn on dry-transfer stickers from the kit itself first.

First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

Order your first HG kit before the week is over — the physical object in your hands is what makes the hobby click. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: Bandai Hobby HGCE 1/144 Freedom Gundam
Order Tamiya nippers at the same time as the kit — they ship quickly and you don't want to start without them. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter for Plastic
Read the instruction manual front to back before you start building. Bandai manuals are visual and intuitive — this preview run prevents the most common assembly mistakes. · Action
Cut parts from the runner in two steps: cut a few millimeters from the part first, then trim flush on the second pass. This is called 'two-pass cutting' and it eliminates most gate marks. · Learn
Panel line your first kit after full assembly, before top coat. Practice the Gundam Marker technique on the inside of a part first to get the flow and wipe timing right. · Action
Top coat outside or near an open window in light sweeping passes. Let it dry 20-30 minutes before handling. This step is what takes a kit from 'plastic toy' to 'finished model.' · Action

FAQ

Common questions

What grade should a complete beginner start with?

HG (High Grade, 1/144 scale) is the right answer for nearly every new builder. The kits are $20-35, snap-fit cleanly, look great without painting, and give you real experience with tools and technique without overwhelming you. Entry Grade works if you want the simplest possible first build. Avoid MG, RG, and PG until you've finished at least two or three HG kits.

Do I need to paint my Gunpla?

No. Modern Bandai kits are color-accurate straight from the box — the molded plastic colors match the mobile suit design. Panel lining the recessed grooves with a Gundam Marker and sealing with a matte top coat is 80% of the visual impact that painting achieves at 20% of the effort. Most builders go paint-free for years and are happy with the results.

What are nub marks and how do I avoid them?

Nub marks are the small white stress marks left where you cut a part from the runner. They happen when the plastic is compressed during cutting. The fix: use sharp nippers (Tamiya or God Hand) and cut in two passes — first a few millimeters from the part, then trim flush on the second cut. Sanding with 400-grit and then 1000-grit sandpaper removes any remaining marks.

How long does a typical HG kit take to build?

Most HG kits take 3-8 hours to assemble fully, depending on complexity and your pace. First kits always take longer while you learn the two-pass cutting technique and reading Bandai's instruction style. An MG kit runs 15-30 hours. Don't rush — the process is the hobby.

Is Gunpla a good hobby for apartments?

Yes, with a caveat: the building process is entirely apartment-friendly (no fumes, no mess beyond plastic shavings). The one exception is top coating — lacquer sprays need ventilation. Spray outside, near an open window, or on a balcony. Many builders do this in the hallway or on a fire escape with no issues.

What's the difference between HG, RG, MG, and PG?

HG (High Grade) is 1/144 scale, 150-300 parts, 3-8 hours. RG (Real Grade) is also 1/144 but with a complex inner frame and 300-500 parts. MG (Master Grade) is 1/100 scale with a full inner frame, 300-600 parts, 15-30 hours. PG (Perfect Grade) is 1/60 scale, 500+ parts, and can take 40+ hours. Start with HG.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

r/Gunpla — The largest Western Gunpla community. Beginner megathread is pinned and comprehensive. Post your WIP photos — the community is welcoming and technically helpful.
Bandai Hobby Site — The official source for all kit grades, release announcements, and build instructions. Check here when you're unsure about a kit's grade or complexity.
GundamInfo — Official anime streaming site for Gundam series. Understanding which timeline your kit comes from makes the build feel more meaningful.
Gunpla Tutorial Series (YouTube — Syd Mead) — Search for HG beginner build tutorials — multiple creators run excellent step-by-step series. Watching one build-through before your first kit prevents most beginner mistakes.
Hobby Link Japan — The most reliable source for kits not available on Amazon, especially older HGUC and rare releases. Ships internationally.
Dalong.net — Unofficial review database with runner shots, part counts, and build photos for nearly every kit ever released. Check here before buying an unfamiliar kit.

Photo by shri on Unsplash