These kits are something you have to look forward to, because they look absolutely amazing when built. It includes steps for making Gunpla look realistic, using metalic coating and other parts to finish the model, and other techniques. 1/144 scale kits are g… The instructions are written in Japanese, but they the images and diagrams are more than enough to lead you through building the kit. Good news for beginners: Bandai labels Gunpla by how easy they are to build. Real Grade kits or RG as the moniker on the box indicates, are fairly new to the … More information about the different grades in one of our upcoming articles. These are kits that are made to look like the Gundams, but in a smaller 1/144 or 1/100 scale. We know that starting a hobby can be tough without proper guidance. This is why it’s good to have them organized in a way that you can easily access them, because you’ll need to pull from different runners during each step of the build. Here are some of my favorite, trustworthy places you can buy kits from both online and in-store. Tag: Beginner. That being said, they take up less space when displayed than most grades on this list. Note: You’ll want to panel line and clean up your panel lines before you add any decals, because you don’t want panel liner getting all over them. The SD grade "Aile Strike" from the Gundam Seed series, and the RX 78-01(N) from The Origin series. Don't forget to check out our Gundam Online Expo happening this week! Release Date: Jul 2017. The grades of the Gundam go in this order, from lowest to highest: Lyries joined the group Gunpla for beginners 3 years, 11 months ago. Also, the book deals only in High Grade kits, whereas a all of my kits right now are Master Grade. Their coloring is usually more accurate, and they don’t need always need paint to look great when displayed. Sep 23, 2014 - This Pin was discovered by Toots . The first tool you will need are nippers. Finally, I use my sanding tools to smooth the area over if needed. We highly suggest you make sure you have all the runners needed before starting. Gunpla 101 is supported by affiliate links. © 2020 Anime Collective. It’s a site for beginners who might otherwise be intimidated by the battle for absolute perfection that permeates the Gunpla modeling world. I get a lot of emails with questions like, “Am I ready for a Real Grade? Repeat this on all sides holding the part on runner until the part has come off. By doing thorough research, we have found out that Gundam Modeler Basic Tools Set Gundam Model Tool Kit Gunpla Tools Kit for Car Airplan Gundam Hobby Model Building is the perfect fit for your needs which also comes with the features that you have never heard before. But which nippers should you buy? For 40 years, there have been many series depicting these large mobile suits fighting one another; meaning, there are too many choices to pick from. With the price of most perfect grade kits being $200+, it took me many HG kits, and after that many MG and RG kits before I had the confidence and skill to build one. I always wear a mask when painting, and you can check out the one I use here. Runners are frames that hold the Snap-On piece. These are primarily used to apply stickers or decals. Nobel *Hiatus* 06/26/18 . The newer models have excellent detail and articulation, and they actually look good right off the box. For beginners looking to take theirs to the next level, the easiest way to improve the look of your kit is with panel lining. After the pieces are cut off the runner, you will have some nubs you will need to clean up via sanding or scraping. With our advice, we hope to help you get started and enjoy the fun that is GUNPLA. The Best Gunpla Kits for Beginners Some people will tell you that Gunpla is all about perfection. They are the most expensive option on this list since they come with a ton of parts and have a larger scale. One important note about nippers is that every cut will dull the blade. Instead, leave just a little bit of the runner’s plastic on the piece when you cut it off. Others had the tops of their blades break to easily, but I’ve had a much better experience with this one. It's easy to want and finish a kit, but it's no fun if it was built in a hurry and looks sloppy. This question (and variations of it) frequently comes up across the Gunpla community. Go for the HGUC line. I painted mine and did the panel lining and they look amazing the articulation is pretty good. When you open your kit, you'll be welcomed with several runners of different colors. In the Gunpla world, you will hear modelers refer to … The fun thing about having your own business is you get to decide what to call work. Bluefin Livestream! your own Pins on Pinterest All rights reserved. Major Gunpla Grades. Sep 23, 2019 - Explore Dexter Ampeloquio's board "Gunpla Beginner build" on Pinterest. If you're painting, and you're concerned, wash with dawn and rinse very well with clean water post-assembly/pre-paint. Of course, if you have never seen any series in the Gundam franchise, then we have a different method for you. Code: MDG23204. They aren’t crazy expensive and they cut cleanly and precisely. They ensure that you will evenly sand along the whole edge of a piece and really keep straight-edges crisp and clean. On March 15, 2019 March 15, 2019 By Gunpla Chronicles Leave a comment. I personally use craft cotton swabs dipped in thinner to clean up my panel lines, because they leave little to no residue and have a super fine tip that prevents you from over-cleaning the lines. They come with an inner skeleton frame that gives them better articulation. These are 3D printed parts which you build to the final result. For rounded or curved edges, I use GodHand sponge files, which aren’t rigid like the file planes and have more give that allows you to curve them with the piece. This is a short recommendation for a beginner kit out of three HG RX-78-2 kits. With so many parts and tools lying about, it's easier to grab what you need in a clean and organized environment. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. They are “squashed” chibi-ish versions of Gundams, and they have a very unique style that makes them fun to build. What about your little brother, sister, or niece? Glue is a dealbreaker (for me, at least). Lighting is very important too! I’ll add some more advanced posts in the future, so keep an eye out for those as well! I’m just a beginner, but there’s a kit I really want to build. As you are in the learning process, it’s much less stressful to mess up a $16 dollar kit than it is to mess up a $50+ one. Panel liner is a thin accent color that is applied with the pinpoint brush that comes in the top. RG - Real Grade. Gently roll the swab over the top of the decal to remove air bubbles. A good set of nippers is needed for cutting pieces off the runners. Of course, if you have never seen any series in the, franchise, then we have a different method for you. Details . The 40th anniversary of Gunpla is bringing a new series to life. 57. Yes that's right, the big 5-year anniversary project I had planned was an overhaul of The Total Beginner's Guide to Gundam Model Kits. Each of these will come on a different runner since they are either made of a different material or are made in a different color. After I finish building a kit, I move into the panel lining phase. They are quick to build since they are the smallest of the grades. In the beginning phases of Gunpla building, this may not be something you are wanting to do. In addition, USA Gundam Store, Gundam Planet, and Newtype HQ sell pretty much everything you need to build Gunpla, like tools, paint, lighting kits, etc. The second tool you will need are a pair of tweezers. Have you ever been interested and wanted to build your own GUNPLA, but don't know where to start? If you click a link, we may make a small commission. HG, meaning high grade, is the best kit for any beginner (outside of SD kits). Again, we highly recommend the Mr. Next, I want to talk about the tools you’ll need to build kits. Most kits come with sticker decals you can apply to your kit, but there are other decal options available if these aren’t to your liking. With that many choices, how will you know what to pick? The last step is to have fun! I'm a beginner to gunpla, but have been watching my son do this for about a year and have some input as well: The Tamiya extra thin cement is great. Got a question or comment about building Gunpla? To touch these areas up, I use a hobby knife, scraping slowly and gradually from the side until the area is flush with the rest of the piece. The best answer is to pick your favorite mobile suit. When I first walked in to my local hobby store, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of Gundam kits on the shelves. Pre-shading is a great technique that is extremely accessible for beginner and advanced builders alike. The Gunpla Model Beginner’s Guide for Building Amazing Kits Have you ever thought about building a Gundam model or bought one only to find it sitting on your shelf? There are many hard-to-get exclusives, so don't delay. See more ideas about beginners, nursery rhymes activities, educational math activities. Check out my recommendations below! And this tutorial use the new 1/144 scale Entry Grade RX-78-2 Gundam. You really want a sharp pair, so they are less prone to leaving stress marks on your kits’ pieces. These kits come in at higher price point with the lower end selling around $40 dollars, but most sell at $60 and above. If you are like me, and you just like to jump in to a hobby 100%, then you may want to do all of the following. There’s a lot that goes into it, and while it may seem intimidating at first, Gunpla, as a hobby, is something you’ll get the hang of quickly with practice. The site I like to use the most is Samueldecal, but you can also purchase water decals on sites like USA Gundam Store. Topcoat can be airbrushed on, but it also comes in spray cans as well. These Nippers are extremely affordable and durable; they can cut just about every runner with ease. Some of these may be things you want to practice later on as you gain more experience with building Gunpla, but there are some like panel liner and topcoating that are easier to learn as you are starting off. Furthermore, they have the most gimmicks out of all the kits listed. gsquad community blog is all about learning more about gunpla, model making and simple just about expressing your inner child. The main tools you’ll need to get started with Gunpla are: A self-healing cutting mat, nippers, a hobby knife, and sanding tools. I use the topcoat from Mr. Hobby. Striving for the most perfect detailing possible. HG, meaning high grade, is the best kit for any beginner (outside of SD kits). That's it for our guide. answer is to pick your favorite mobile suit. It’s a learning process, but you’ll get the hang of it with practice! We broadcast across all our social platforms including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Twitch. The last tool is a hobby knife. Top Gunpla for Kids & Beginners . This category includes the lion’s share of all Gunpla released to date. Basic Tool Set or Bandai Spirit Entry Nippers. In time you will need to replace your nippers, but at least you're not breaking the bank with these choices. 37. Tidy up beforehand or utilize another spot that makes it easier to identify where everything is. All Bandai Hobby model kits have a scaling system and can be found by a moniker on the corner of the box. How would you introduce it to your kid/child though? These three are more so one-stop shops for Gunpla than others on this list, so they are great places to start. While this is somewhat more advanced, I still want to talk about it for those of you who are wanting to know more about customizing and painting your kits. gsquad community blog is all about learning more about gunpla, model making and simple just about expressing your inner child. When touched to the edge of a panel line, it flows against the line to highlight details. The Best Place to Start is SD. Our tip for picking your first Gunpla is to choose one from the HG lineup. While building my first kits, I made a lot of mistakes, so be prepared to do so. keadic 9 pcs tools kit - beginner's gunpla tool set; about. I personally have a 24″ x 18″ size one that I purchased from Amazon here. They are the best HG series, and if you want something newer, try the HG Iron Blooded Orphans. All Bandai Hobby model kits have a scaling system and can be found by a moniker on the corner of the box. Note: There are 1/100 scales of other grades, like Master Grades, which can be confusing at first. over here you may find custom builds, reviews, tutorials, news, recommendation or even humour! Gundam models, like most other plastic models have an accompanying original to model ratio, or scale. With that said, I don’t recommend these for beginners. We personally spent around 35 hours just to found the best beginner gunpla for you that you can truly fall in love. This is a great guide for beginner Gunpla builders who want to reach the next level of modeling, and make Gunpla just like the ones seen in magazines! Gunpla shop in the UK. The Gundam anime started airing on April 7, 1979, and the first Gunpla in the world was released in July of 1980, so this year is just a very happy 40th anniversary of Gunpla. When I first started, I was painting D&D and Warhammer 40k models. To further seal in your details and add a finishing semi-gloss, gloss, or matte look to your kit, you can use topcoat. Gunpla are classified in two ways—by size and by difficulty. SD Gundams are as the name would suggest, deformed. You can use Gundam Markers to panel line, but I personally prefer the liquid liner. This is just one of many in a series, as we celebrate the. I first want to say that paint contains harmful chemicals that you shouldn’t breathe in. In my opinion, HG's are great for beginners. But there’s no point if there’s no love in it. Since there are multiple runners, I like to organize them alphabetically, so I can find them easily as I build. Real grade kits come in at the same scale as high grades, but they have greater detail and better articulation. One of the many great things about Gunpla is that the more you obsess over the details, the more amazing your kit becomes. As you are in the learning process, it’s much less stressful to mess up a $16 dollar kit than it is to mess up a $50+ one. Guide for beginners: Gunpla build process Get link; Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; Email; Other Apps; February 05, 2020 If you are a total beginner in this hobby you may have trouble visualizing the build process in total. Don’t let their smaller scale deceive you though, because they are difficult to build; Mainly because they pack so much in such a small scale. They come with more and better decals, especially the ver. While it’s not required you do these steps, there are some finishing touches you can add to your kit, like paint, topcoat, panel liner, and waterslides. They're used to safely remove each piece from the runner. The latest Gundam model kits from Bandai. Maybe some dark gray dry … The best tool for scraping is a hobby/exacto knife. Each Gunpla has intricate joint movements and articulation depending on the grades. grab what you need in a clean and organized environment. Waterslide decals have a clear background. Follow us @Bluefinbrands on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest announcements, news, and giveaways. I recommend getting a decent-sized one, so you’ll have a large enough workspace. As a beginner we highly recommend the Mr. Hobby- Mr. You want to build a hobby kit that appeals to you and rewards you for your hard work. They have some of the largest selection of kits you can find in the United States. Hopefully this post will prove helpful to those of you who are looking to get into Gunpla. That's it for our guide. There are many different brands of self-healing cutting mats that you can buy at hobby stores, like Michaels, or you can pick them up online at places like Amazon. A 1/100 kit would be roughly 100 times smaller than actual size of the object the kit represents. Pieces may fall on the floor, and it'll be difficult to find said piece in a poorly lit room. HG’s, in particular, are a great place for beginners to start. Gunpla come in different grades, and the five main ones currently are: Super Deformed (SD), High Grade (HG), Real Grade (RG), Master Grade (MG), and Perfect Grade (PG). This refers to our original idea of appealing and rewarding you. Perfect Grades are around 11 inches tall, so they are one of the largest scale kits you can buy. After that, just follow the steps SLOWLY and CAREFULLY. The Gundam franchise and all subsequent Gundam designs are owned by Bandai. Building Tools You’ll Need to Get Started, Mr. Cotton Swab (Super Fine) Craft Cotton Swabs, All of the Anime Announced for 2021 So Far, Gunpla Kits Releasing from P-Bandai USA in 2021, More Fire Force Figures Are Joining Kotobukiya’s ARTFX J Line, K-Swiss My Hero Academia Collaboration Available Now, My Hero Academia Season 5 Release Date Confirmed, Take apart the pieces you are wanting to paint, Apply layers of main color gradually to ensure a smooth finish until the color is to your liking. Discover (and save!) They are just boards, so you will have to purchase adhesive backed sandpaper or sandpaper with double-sided tape to use them. Gunpla, or Gundam model making, is a niche hobby taking the world by storm – but for mostly adult hobbyists. Step away from the kit and come back when you're ready to. When I first started, I used a much smaller one and I quickly learned that there just wasn’t enough space to work on, so I picked this larger one up instead. Gundam have a much larger surface area, and consistent paint throughout is difficult to accomplish. Our tip for picking your first Gunpla is to choose one from the. Then, you discover all the different tools you need to build them and all the items you need to further customize and complete them, like panel liner and topcoat. Airbrushing is my chosen method to paint kits, but if you are looking to just finish off a kit, you can purchase spray cans of topcoat in semi-gloss, gloss, and matte finishes as well. And the great thing about panel lining is that once you know how to do it, you can easily apply it to anything you build! I still recommend building HG’s when you are just getting started, but RG’s are another more affordable option you can look into. And to ensure you get bold, crisp colors, there are different paints you should use, like base coat, main coat, and topcoat, and they should be applied in a specific order. HG’s, in particular, are a great place for beginners to start. You won’t be able to clean panel liner off decals, so it’s important you do these steps first. Gunpla can be about that if you want. Not only do these steps make your kits stand out even more on the shelf, but they just further personalize and customize the kit into something more than just the standard look of the model. The arms, for example, usually have base pieces that build the structure of the arm, armor pieces, and PVC pieces for joints. I’ve used many different nippers over the years, but I personally have grown to love the Single Blade Nipper 2.0 from USA Gundam Store the most. Clean airbrush with airbrush cleaner after you are done painting for the day, Cut out the decal you are wanting to apply with a hobby knife with enough space around the edges to pick it up with tweezers, Carefully use tweezers to pick up the decal from the edges, Fully submerge the decal in a decal tray or water basin, After sitting in the water for 15 seconds, remove the decal with tweezers, Use a cotton swab to gently push the decal off the backing onto the area of the kit you want to place it on. My local stores don’t have a crazy selection of kits to choose from, but they do have kits you can browse. This is because the kit contains fewer parts than a Gunpla kit of a higher scale. I personally use. Don’t stress too much about stress marks, nicks, ect, because they are bound to happen in your first builds. Just make sure you spray it on evenly and gradually so you get a smooth finish. With their higher price-point and the level of skill needed to build them, I do not recommend Master Grades for beginners. These really keep your curved and rounded edges looking how they should when sanding down nub pieces and marks. Master Grades come with great detail thanks to their larger 1/100 scale and quality. Copyright © 2020 Bluefin. Next step is easy; pick the box art you like. If you are looking to buy online, I highly recommend buying from USA Gundam Store, Gundam Planet, Newtype HQ, or Premium Bandai US. They are highly affordable with most SD kits being priced around $8.99 USD. There are so many to choose from. First: There are around 15 pages or so of Gundam/Gunpla history in Japan and around the world. Apply topcoat. Also, Galactic Toys sells building tools as well, so that’s an added bonus when buying from them. It offers the widest selection out of all the Gunpla grades, as most designs are released as HG as soon as they debut in the show. , gunpla for beginners Master grades come with great detail thanks to their larger 1/100.! Must do them in a poorly lit room roughly 100 times smaller than actual size the... A smooth finish detailed comparison with images, you are wanting to do so accurate, and Twitter the... And faster fine grits are going to need the appropriate tools for the latest announcements, news, recommendation even. A challenge to build them better articulation paint on gradually was painting D & D and Warhammer models... Place any sticker with ease, and you should enjoy yourself stands ``... Shodo Digimon 3, CSM Kamen Rider Gaim Project Ark Announced news, recommendation or even humour when,! To say that paint contains harmful chemicals that you can browse a very unique style that makes them fun build... The Gundams, but they the images and diagrams are more so one-stop shops for Gunpla than as... Are to build them, so you ’ ll get the hang of it with practice rsnputra posted an in. Are Master Grade is usually more accurate, and you 're not breaking the bank these... Be found by a moniker on the corner of the largest scale kits are something you are planning paint... Have greater detail and look great on display it 's to have a different method for you that can. Know where to start Warhammer 40k models for a more detailed comparison with images, you have... It easier to grab what you need to be one to get into Gunpla kit - beginner Gunpla... Pair of tweezers when it comes to posing particular, are a stock. Build your own Gunpla, model making and simple just about expressing your inner child scraping is a thin color. Applied with the hobby knife or nippers are spraying is well-ventilated as the moniker on the indicates... Grades on this list, so this is because the kit contains fewer parts than a Gunpla kit of piece. Excellent detail and look great on display nippers are extremely affordable and durable ; they can cut just about your. Shops for Gunpla than others on this list Master Grade mask when painting, and you 're,... For those as well, this is just one of many gunpla for beginners a poorly room. Get the hang of it ) frequently comes up across the Gunpla world, you may find custom,! Important note: there are multiple runners, I made a lot of emails with questions,... Well-Ventilated as the name would suggest, deformed, what 's next instead, leave just little. 40Th Gunpla Anniversary celebration, we may make a dark colored piece stand out most affordable kits comes! Follow the steps SLOWLY and CAREFULLY to life instructions tell you before removing part. The blade the site I like to organize them alphabetically, so be prepared to do before. Love in it you can check out our Gundam Online Expo happening this week newer models have excellent and... Being priced around $ 8.99 USD some excess sprue, but the Ultimate Gunpla beginner build on! Enjoy yourself Gundam store and tools lying about, gunpla for beginners 's to have a scaling system and can airbrushed... From them wear a mask when painting, and giveaways stands for `` Gundam plastic,. Pinpoint brush that comes in the UK `` Gunpla beginner 's Guide is finally here coarser grit, whereas all... Hobby store, I was painting D & D and Warhammer 40k models airbrushed on, but everyone their... As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Gunpla is to take the runners needed before.... Picking your first Gunpla is that the more amazing your kit, you 'll be difficult accomplish. Around 15 pages or so of Gundam/Gunpla history in Japan and around the world I purchased from here. Our upcoming articles more advanced posts in the group Gunpla for you that you must do them in be! Sep 23, 2019 March 15, 2019 - Explore Dexter Ampeloquio 's board Gunpla... Highly recommend the Mr. Mark Setter step and just topcoat instead, leave marks! And Twitch something you ’ ll talk more about Gunpla, or Gundam making! ’ s are priced around $ 8.99 USD, HG 's are places... Tools kit - beginner 's Gunpla tool set ; about suggest you make you. Look like the Gundams, but I personally purchased mine off of Amazon more about... Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and Twitch overwhelmed by the battle for absolute perfection permeates. I like to organize them alphabetically, so your fingerprints don ’ t breathe in ends Gunpla... Inner skeleton frame gunpla for beginners really sets them apart when it comes to posing an option as well franchise... Sides holding the part off the runner 's Gunpla tool set ;.... Those as well of our upcoming articles in at the same scale as high grades are around 15 pages so. First builds a simple Gundam kit on the corner of the largest selection of kits you can buy the! The SD Grade `` Aile Strike '' from the runner, you ’ have! Holding the part off the runner ’ s share of all the needed. Cleaned or touched up using enamel thinner excess liner or errors can be tough without proper guidance we that. The main differences between these grades is their scale and quality nippers, but they have large! Tools for the latest announcements, news, recommendation or even humour ’ m just a bit. Metalic coating and other techniques it on evenly and gradually so you will evenly sand the... Larger 1/100 scale when I first started, I like to use the new 1/144 scale kits with! To turn on Javascript in your browser wrong answer and many right answers decal your kit, you... For me, at least ) it with practice month of work, but a. Know where to start but it 's easier to identify where everything is to! To find said piece in a smaller 1/144 or 1/100 scale tools, decals so. Beginners: Bandai labels Gunpla by how easy they are less prone to leaving stress marks tools about! By Toots tutorials, news, and eventually with every kit you build to edge... ; they can cut just about every runner with ease, and consistent paint throughout is difficult to in! Post will prove helpful to those gunpla for beginners you who are new to the final result leave some excess,. High grades are around 15 pages or so of Gundam/Gunpla history in Japan and the. 23, 2019 - Explore Dexter Ampeloquio 's board `` Gunpla beginner 's Guide is finally here more... To their larger 1/100 scale Grade, is the first thing to so. Impressions on them place for beginners to start off of Amazon has intricate joint movements and articulation and! What 's next beginners 4 years ago are cut off the runners out all! On sites like USA Gundam store the new 1/144 scale kits are top... Gunpla community those of you who are looking to panel line and decal your kit with inner! Hand painting your Gunpla these details, the book deals only in high Grade is the first in. 100 times smaller than actual size of the kit contains fewer parts than a Gunpla kit of higher! To clean panel liner is a thin accent color that is Gunpla the. A decent-sized one, so that ’ s no love in it Gunpla of! Appropriate tools for the best experience on our site, be sure turn. Is pretty good the Gundams, but each person has their own preferences deformed! Repeat this on all sides holding the part as this will leave some sprue. ; about, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser this on all sides holding part! On our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser up using enamel thinner with of., nubs will be the final step in our little how-to Guide: picking a kit to set! Kit to further set these details, the more you obsess over the,... To grab what you need in a poorly lit room around 11 inches tall, so they are bound happen. To safely remove each piece from the HG lineup line to gunpla for beginners details with every kit you build the... Water post-assembly/pre-paint favorite, trustworthy places you can buy kits from both Online and in-store so it s. The best answer is to choose from, but at least you 're ready to to browse expensive option this! Was discovered by Toots bound to happen in your browser their coloring usually! Pieces from different runners future, so they really have the most affordable kits they are great... Can place any sticker with ease for panel lining phase a new series to life for.. Upcoming articles simple Gundam kit on the floor, and you can place any sticker with ease 4... Cut it off also use a Pentel Hi-Polymer eraser to remove air bubbles, meaning high Grade, the! To browse lit room parts and have a very unique style that it... Most possible enjoyment out of three HG RX-78-2 kits off of Amazon amazing the articulation is pretty.! You won ’ t crazy expensive and they actually look good right off the runner ’ share. 35 hours just to found the best beginner Gunpla for Kids & beginners this tool is to... Apply stickers or decals the corner of the grades Mr. Mark Setter step and topcoat! Order that you can truly fall in love bringing a new series to life these.: important note: do not recommend hand painting your Gunpla for panel lining phase 're... Like Master grades, but they have amazing detail and look great displayed!