CHOOSE YOUR GUNPLA : REAL GRADE (RG) VS HIGH GRADE (HG)

THIS HAS GOTTA BE ONE OF MY LONGEST POST!!

Building Gunpla is an expensive hobby. As Bandai release a bunch of models each year (well actually almost every month), it is impossible for new enthusiasts to catch up. Not to mention that they also have tricky codes on their models that surely confuses beginners.

So allow me to enlighten you guys a bit as we tackle about the 1/144 scales

So let’s start with the TERMS!

• 1/144 scale - this is the scale used to measure the dimensions of your gunpla, in ratio to its true-to-life dimension. On the Gunpla scene, 1/144 scale kits are usually 5 inches in height.
• RG – REAL GRADE, these are 1/144 model kits that were designed to appear more realistic and life-like.
• HG – HIGH GRADE, these were one of the first “grades” by Bandai. They are ofter true to the anime’s design.

DISCLAIMER

**To be fair, the kits were not customized. The details were only protected via Bosny flat clear spray.
** The HG is one of the recent release from Bandai. Any HG kit before 2010, may not have the same quality as the one I have.

With the terms clear, we can now start the battle!

On the right, we have the HG 1/144 Scale MS-06S Char's Zaku II GTO Version (2015), and on the left we have the RG 1/144 MS-06S Char's Zaku II (2010).

ARTICULATION

When it comes to action figures and model kits, ARTICULATION is definitely one of the deal-makers! So one must make sure that your figure/kit, can mimic the wildest pose that are seen on the anime.

RG – The Real Grade offers a wide range of articulation. Being engineered as close as possible to realistic mech. Bandai didn’t leave us empty handed, the kit can create all the wackiest pose the builder can ever think off. Unfortunately, though it offers the widest range of articulation found on an 1/144 scale kit, it is also a very fragile. As seen on the photo, 2 pieces fell off as I tried to achieve the kneeling pose.

HG – The High Grade is a shocker. For a high grade, this one offers almost the same amount of articulation. It can do all the wacky poses, but some of them may not appear as natural as you would want them to. The standard battle poses, which are important for most of the builders, are 100% guaranteed to be replicated through this kit’s articulation.

***FUN FACT – The Kneeling Pose, is one of the greatest test of articulation for a Gunpla Kit. If it can naturally kneel with one leg, then it is a must have!

DETAILS

RG – The details are stunning! This is the RG’s bread and butter, since it was created to appear realistic. It closely resembles mechas that appear on CGI films, and even high-end technological architecture from NASA and other advanced organizations.
The color separation is superb! There are 2 shades of pink, to achieve that realistic mecha look.

Panel lining options are abundant, and there were no bothering seam lines. The seam lines were creatively design to appear as the kits panel lines. So a straight-build of this kit will surely aesthetically satisfy the builder.

The decals that came with the kit were abundant, and boosts the kit’s overall aesthetics. Though I would have preferred if it came with water-slide decals, rather than the sticker type one.

HG – The kit suffers with seam lines. Though this one is a huge step from the old models. (where seam line correction is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to boost the kit’s aesthetics) The kit still looks toy-like due to this seam lines, but they are placed in corners that even rookie builders can easily correct.

The color of the kit is a very dark red. This has been Char’s new color on the new anime. If you’re looking for Char’s salmon pink Zaku II in the 1979 OG series, then this color may not be for you.

The sticker sheet provided were minimal compared to the RG, yet even with minimal usage, it strongly boost the overall aesthetics. Since the stickers breaks the block of color.

The overall look resembles the anime’s look. This has always been the case for HG kits, they are always true to its anime counterparts.

PRICE

I will be giving the PHILIPPINES’ MALL PRICE and the SRP from Japan.
**with roughly estimated value in $$$

RG – Mall Price: 2000 php (40$) , SRP: 1100 php (22$)
HG – Mall Price: 1300 php (26$) , SRP: 700 php (14$)

PLAYABILITY

RG – as mentioned earlier, the RG offers a wide range of articulation. Though unfortunately, it is too fragile and some parts tend to fall off as you move from one pose to another. This makes the toy less playable in my opinion.

I found myself stressed out as I tried to pose the figure in various battle positions. This made my photography sessions with this toy troublesome. (BUT THE RESULTS ARE STILL TOO AWESOME!)

The kit do not have polycaps, thus ensure that the joints will last longer and will be able to endure the test of time.

HG – This is a highly playable kit! Though it may not be as articulated as the RG, it can almost replicate all the poses you’ll get from the RG. Posing it is a breeze, there are no falling pieces and

Downside is that the kit have polycaps. In time, without proper handling, the kit may suffer loose joints and may not hold up poses.

BUILD TIME

RG – The build is almost identical to MGs. (if you don’t know that yet, then hit me a comment so I can discuss about that on my next posts :D) You start off by building an inner frame, then from that frame, you slowly add the armor pieces.

The instructions, the awful number of pieces, plus the tricky RG gimmicks, gave me roughly a total of 16hours of build time. Be mindful of the tricky instructions, since the kit was one of the first RG releases, Bandai was not that articulate in their instructions yet. Not to mention, if you can’t read Japanese, then that will add another 2 hours in your build time. Tee hee.

HG – The build is quite simple. Aside from some new engineering on the kit, that gave this HG an inner frame like structure; the build is a breeze. It took me 2-3 hours to finish the build and that includes the application of the decals.

I can say, this is a beginner friendly kit. Something that you can gift to a friend who has basically zero knowledge on building gunpla kits.

OVERALL CONCLUSION

1. If you're into collecting, both kits offer different kinds of fun. So you should really get them both!

2. If you're on a budget and you need the best Char Zaku II that Bandai can offer (in terms of aesthetics), then get the RG. It will surely be one of the main highlight in your gunplay collection.

3. If you're on a budget and you want the articulation of an RG with the great stability of an HG, then get the HG.

I hope you enjoyed my comparison!
Don’t forget to FOLLOW, UPVOTE, and RESTEEM!