When talking about Japan's world-renowned national robot animation, everyone would say Gundam. Even people who don't usually watch anime know the name Gundam, and despite it being an anime series that aired decades ago, the Gundam series remains incredibly popular to this day. One reason so many people know Gundam is likely due to the fact that Gundam plastic models, or "Gunpla," are sold in a variety of stores and are commonly seen. Gunpla is one of the Gundam series' absolute must-have contents, and is an ultra-mega-hit kit that has supported the Gundam series for many years. In this article, we'll explain the appeal of Gunpla, the Gundam series' biggest moneymaker and longtime supporter. We'll explain it in an easy-to-understand manner, even for those who aren't usually familiar with Gunpla, so be sure to check it out.
Why Gundam is synonymous with Gunpla
So far, I've written this introduction under the premise that Gunpla is an important part of the Gundam series. However, many Gundam beginners may be wondering, "Is Gunpla really that important to the Gundam series?"
Gunpla is booming
While the popularity of the Gundam series may have slowed down a bit recently, Gunpla shipments have actually increased significantly since the 2020s, nearly doubling since the early 2000s. While making money from anime can be hit or miss, income can be unstable, selling plastic models provides a relatively stable source of income.
Member of the Gundam Series
The reason why Gundam has been able to continue its series development for such a long time is actually due to the success of Gunpla.
Gunpla Supports Plastic Model Technology
Furthermore, Gundam series isn't the only thing Gunpla supports. Gunpla now accounts for almost all demand in the plastic model market, and it can be said that this single content alone continues to support Japan's plastic model production technology, which would otherwise be lost.
Gunpla's mass production system and technological development support niche plastic models
It's also important to note that the reason we can easily purchase niche plastic models that other fans wouldn't normally buy is because of the huge content of Gunpla in the plastic model market, and the technology and mass production system developed by that content.
Introducing the Gunpla Series
Now that we've covered how important Gunpla is to the Gundam series and what role it plays in the plastic model market, let's take a quick look at the Gunpla series.
There are series with various difficulty levels...
Gunpla has fans of all skill levels, so there are multiple series with different difficulty levels to suit each fan. For this reason, beginner fans often have trouble deciding which series to purchase.
Difficulty Level ★ HG (High Grade) Series
For those looking to build a Gunpla for the first time, the High Grade series is recommended. The "HG" symbol appears in the upper left corner of the box, making it the most basic Gunpla series. While the difficulty level is relatively easy, making it difficult to create elaborate builds, its strength lies in the wide variety of mobile suit models available, making it the most diverse mobile suit kit available.
Difficulty Level ★★★ RG (Real Grade) Series
If you're a bit of a connoisseur and are willing to spend time and money to build a high-quality plastic model kit, the Real Grade series is recommended. While the Real Grade series has the same size as the High Grade series, these kits are meticulously crafted down to the smallest details. Due to their complex construction, these kits can be somewhat difficult to build, but the satisfaction of completing them with time is bound to be unparalleled.
Difficulty Level ★★ MG (Master Grade) Series
If you're looking to create a plastic model that will stand out as an interior décor piece, the Master Grade series is a good choice. Master Grade kits are about 1.5 times the size of the High Grade and Real Grade series, making them very impressive. While their size can be a bit pricey, it's a shame they come at a higher price, but they offer the added bonus of allowing you to create dynamic mobile suits that are impossible to create with other kits.
Beginners, Start with HG!
While Gunpla comes in a variety of series, we recommend the High Grade series for beginners. The High Grade series' strength lies in its affordability and ease of construction, allowing you to build any Gunpla model you're interested in. For beginners, we recommend building a variety of plastic models first to experience the joy of Gunpla building.
Challenges for Gunpla
While the Gunpla series has developed various series and sales are steadily increasing, the environment surrounding Gunpla is not exactly ideal in some areas. From here, I would like to introduce the challenges that Gunpla faces in order to further develop.
All hobbies are becoming faster
The first challenge is the changing standards the market has for hobbies. Until recently, plastic models were seen as a hobby enjoyed by many men. In recent years, however, they have become seen as products purchased by hardcore fans. This shift is likely due to the ongoing "fast-tracking of hobbies," which are transforming all hobbies into something that can be enjoyed easily and quickly.
Gunpla as Video Content
As the standard for hobbies shifts to "quick and easy," Gunpla is also undergoing some changes. One example of this is its role as video content. Gunpla is not only enjoyed by fans who build it, but also by a growing number of "spectator-only fans" who enjoy the model-building process of some skilled builders. Indeed, if you just want to watch, you can enjoy a massive kit like an RG in just a few minutes.
Adding More Value to Gunpla
Bandai also seems to be adapting to the "fast-paced" hobby by providing even more added value to Gunpla. Rather than starting a new kit after building one, Bandai has recently been proposing ways to use kits built over time in other content, allowing users to enjoy the kits they've spent time building for even longer.
The Metaverse Option
Bandai has announced that it will open the "Gundam Metaverse" in October of this year. The Gundam Metaverse will feature content that allows users to experience a variety of playful activities using Gunpla they have purchased, further expanding the enjoyment of Gunpla to date.
Simple kits are also available!!
In addition to the Metaverse expansion, Bandai is also releasing Gunpla models that allow for quicker and easier enjoyment. It's great to see Bandai offering options for fans who don't want to fully enjoy Gunpla like in the Metaverse.
All you need to prepare is a pair of nippers!
Now, if what we've introduced so far has inspired you to try building a Gunpla, we have some good news for you. That's the fact that you can enjoy today's Gunpla, whether it's High Grade, Real Grade, or Master Grade, with just a pair of nippers.
The need for glue, putty, and paint is a thing of the past.
Until recently, various tools were required, including nippers, glue, putty, and specialized paint. However, today's Gunpla models, regardless of series, are color-coded and can be assembled without glue. Therefore, all you need are nippers to enjoy Gunpla.
Gunpla is fun even if you don't have any particular preferences!
Compared to older kits, which required some ingenuity to look cool, today's kits boast a very high level of finish. Even beginners can easily create cool-looking models without worrying too much, so please give Gunpla a try.
Summary
What did you think? In commemoration of the release of the Gundam Build Metaverse, a Gunpla-themed film, we've introduced how to enjoy Gunpla and its appeal. These kits are now popular not only in Japan but also overseas, so we encourage you to give them a try.
