GUNPLA: RG, The Little MG That Could

Gunpla builders will have their preferences when it comes to model/kit grade.  I'm not here to convince anyone which grade is best as each will have their pros and cons.  I simply want to give you (my readers) insight on my build experiences as a means to help you decide what kit (or grade) would best suit you. 

L to R: GP01 Zephyranthes, Gundam Exia, Gundam Mk-II Titans

The very first Gundam I got was a RG or Real Grade kit, the GP01 Zephyranthes!  It was a surprise gift from my wife (who is a big supporter of my Gunpla hobby) for Christmas.  I had only built Advanced Grade (AG) kits (mainly for my son) and this would have been my first, pardon the pun, real build.

The box alone was impressive (and intimidating) due to the amount of detail on display.  Needless to say, I didn't feel ready and wanted to get more builds under my belt before tackling the Zephyranthes.  Fast forward a couple of months and a High Grade (HG) and No Grade (NG) build later, I finally felt ready to do the kit justice.  The rest as they say is history and to date I've built two more RG kits.

To me, an RG can be described as an MG's (Master Grade) little brother because they seem to share the same genetic code.  This is due to the high level of detail and really good articulation found in each kit.  There are loads of pieces in each kit (similar to an MG) but smaller.  If you have big hands (or chubby fingers) you might want to invest in a nice set of tweezers for certain parts in the build process.  I found the head unit to be challenging in this regard in all the RG kits I've built so far.

Not all RG inner frames are created equal. Some like the Gundam Mk-II Titans boasts a full inner frame while others will only have partial inner frames consisting of leg and arm units.

Another cool feature of the RG kits is that it has an inner frame.  Unlike the MG where the inner frame needs to be built, the inner frame of the RG comes pretty much assembled. (Most HG kits don't have this feature)  You do need to manipulate parts of the frame as part of the build process but nothing too complex.  Do make sure to read the manual carefully as parts of the frame can break if handled incorrectly.  The end result is a frame that allows for excellent articulation which means loads of pose-able opportunities when you're done.

Detail Battle: RG Gundam Mk-II Titans vs HG Wing Gundam

The detail on a RG kit compared to an HG is quite noticeable.  The amount of stickers alone for some kits like the Gundam Mk-II Titans is simply insane but you'll really feel like you accomplished something when done.

The detail or realistic look of an RG may lead to a dilemma of whether you should paint the kit or leave it as is.  That is entirely up to your preference.  For now, I left my RG kits unpainted as they look great out of the box (OOTB) but will attempt my first RG paint job on my recently finished Gundam Exia.  

 
Again, due to their great articulation (and sturdy frame), RG kits can be posed a limitless (almost) number of ways.  And if you're handy with Photoshop or Corel Draw, you can take advantage of their realistic look and create some pretty neat scenes.

If you were to ask me what grade Gunpla kit I prefer, I would say MG simply because I think I can customize an MG better than an RG.  I'm not saying MG's are better than RG's.  In fact, RG kits are so well made and realistic that I feel they are better built and left as intended.  In the end it all boils down to a builder's preference.  Just like the different kits we build, no two Gunpla builders are exactly alike.  Till my next post.  Thanks, everyone!