Getting into Gunpla - Entry Grade
A Blog by Allen Jin
Enter the hobby with Entry Grade kits from Hobbyco.
If you have an interest in the world of Gunpla, but have no idea where to begin, this blog has all the answers for you!
The beauty of Gunpla or Gundam Plastic Models is that the vast majority of model kits do not require glue, or even painting. Parts are colour-separated and precision-moulded into runners from which you cut out with a pair of nippers and snap together. These model kits often include articulation, meaning they can be posed in a number of ways, and even be attached to action bases to create dynamic jumping and flying stances.
Entry Grade kits are even simpler, as they do not even require nippers to cut the pieces out. The gates that attach the part to the runner are fragile enough to allow the part to be simply popped out by hand. They are less detailed and have fewer points of articulation, but are much easier and quicker to build.
Instructions are included with all kits, simply follow the letter indicating which runner the part is attached to, and then the number allocated to that part on that runner. With this method, you can build kits in which the instructions aren’t even printed in English!
First and foremost, the series and characters that interest you the most should tailor your decision on what kits to build.
GUNDAM
By far the most popular form of Gunpla, making up 90% of the market of plastic character kits from Japan. Gundam is a franchise comprising several anime, manga and films about giant robots (or mechas) piloted by humans in an epic sci-fi war spanning many generations. You may recognise the most iconic mobile suit: the RX-78-2, which many in the Gunpla fandom refer to as the Granddaddy Gundam, the one that started it all.
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POKÉMON
Who doesn’t love Pokémon? These magical creatures are part of none other than the top-grossing media franchise of all time. Even your grandma knows who Pikachu is! All Pokemon model kits from Bandai are entry grades, and are suitable for ages 6 and up.
Snap together some of your favourites such as Pikachu, Eevee, Charmander, and many more!
Unleash your inner trainer and assemble your very own Charmander with our step-by-step tutorial video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp4wWsfKNqUÂ
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OTHER SERIES
Several other Entry Grade kits of various anime and non-anime characters are available. Including Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia, Naruto and Sasuke, and the Bandai Namco icon Pac-Man.
 
