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Real Grade (RG) Gunpla: Master Grade Detail at 1/144

What a Real Grade Gunpla kit is: 1/144 scale with an inner frame and many small parts, how hard RG kits are, and when to choose RG over HG or MG.

By Gundam Models editorial teamUpdated 3 min readHow we research

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Gray internal frame parts of a Real Grade kit on their runner

A Real Grade (RG) kit is a 1/144 scale Gunpla, the same size as High Grade, built with Master Grade-style engineering: an inner frame under the armor, many small parts and fine surface detail. It looks the most realistic of the small kits, but Gunpla 101 rates it about as hard to build as a Master Grade.

Bandai launched Real Grade in 2010, according to Wikipedia and Gunpla 101. The idea was to take design elements from the larger Master Grade line, such as an inner skeletal frame, and use them to improve on High Grade at the same scale.

What makes a Real Grade different

Gray internal frame parts of a Real Grade kit on their runner
Inner frame parts of a Real Grade Zaku II, still on their runner.

Wikipedia lists the features that set RG apart from HG: near-perfect color accuracy without color-correcting stickers, a full inner frame, high part counts, advanced articulation and extensive decals. Gunpla 101 describes the result as an internal skeleton under plate-like armor parts, which makes the model more poseable.

In practice, that means:

  • More parts per kit. Small panels, frame pieces and joints all come separately.
  • Finer detail. Surface lines and color separation that an HG leaves to stickers are molded in.
  • Small, fiddly pieces. Tweezers help with parts and decals that are only a few millimeters across.

How hard is RG to build?

Gunpla 101 rates Real Grade kits about as difficult as Master Grades and adds that builders prize them for their detail at a small scale. The difficulty comes from size: the same kind of engineering as an MG is packed into a model the height of an HG.

Clean cutting matters more on an RG, because small parts show every nub mark. Bandai recommends nippers made for plastic models or single-blade nippers, which have thinner tips than metal-cutting nippers and cut parts cleanly without crushing them. Our nippers guide explains the difference.

Real Grade (RG) 1/144 kits

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RG or HG?

Question HG RG
Scale 1/144 1/144
Inner frame Usually no Yes
Part count Lower Much higher
Best for First kits, quick builds Builders who want detail on a small shelf

Choose HG if you want a relaxed build or a big choice of suits. Choose RG if you have built a few kits and want the most detail that fits in a small display space.

RG or MG?

Both have inner frames. A Master Grade is 1/100 scale, so it is bigger and its parts are easier to handle; a Real Grade gives a similar look at a smaller size. If shelf space is short, RG wins. If small parts frustrate you, choose MG. The HG vs RG vs MG comparison covers all three, and the Master Grade guide explains MG in detail.

What the RG range covers

Real Grade covers fewer suits than High Grade. Bandai’s RG page filters the range by series, from the original Mobile Suit Gundam and Char’s Counterattack to Gundam SEED, Gundam 00, Gundam Unicorn, Gundam Wing and G Gundam. Recent releases on that page include an RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 (August 2024), Shining Gundam (June 2025) and Wing Gundam Zero (September 2025).

Some RG kits are sold only through Bandai’s online shop or its Gundam Base stores, such as weapon sets and special-finish editions. If you want a particular suit, check whether it is a general release before you build plans around it.

Before you build an RG

Take it slowly. Work one step of the manual at a time, keep small parts in a tray, and cut each piece only when you need it. A panel line marker brings out the surface detail that makes Real Grade worth the effort. For the full picture of the grades, see Gunpla grades explained.

Frequently asked questions

Is Real Grade good for a first Gunpla?

It can be done, but it is not the easy route. Gunpla 101 rates RG kits about as hard as Master Grade because the parts are small and numerous. A High Grade or Entry Grade kit first teaches you the basics on larger parts.

Are RG and HG the same size?

Yes. Both are 1/144 scale, so an RG and an HG of the same mobile suit stand about the same height. The RG has far more parts, an inner frame and finer surface detail.

Why are Real Grade kits harder than Master Grade for some builders?

Because the detail is packed into a smaller model. The tiny parts and decals are fiddly, while a 1/100 Master Grade spreads similar engineering over larger parts that are easier to handle.

Which RG kit should I start with?

Pick a recent kit of a suit you like. Wikipedia notes Bandai redesigns kits over time, and the RG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 is a 2024 update of one of the line's best-known kits.

Filed under GradesStart with Gunpla Grades Explained: HG, RG, MG, PG, SD and Entry Grade

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