Top 5 Entry-Level Gundam Kits for Beginners

So you’ve decided to dive into the world of Gundam model kits – welcome! Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) is an awesome hobby, but with hundreds of kits out there, choosing your first one can be a bit overwhelming. Starting with a beginner-friendly kit is important because it means snap-fit assembly, pre-colored parts, and an overall forgiving build experience. A good entry-level kit will build your confidence and get you excited for more, rather than frustrate you with tiny pieces or required painting. In this post, we’ll count down five top Gundam model kits for beginners, from #5 to #1. These picks focus on currently available Bandai kits (the gold standard of Gunpla) and even include a high-quality third-party option to show what else is out there. By the end, you’ll have a great first kit in mind and be ready to start your Gunpla journey. Let’s get building!

5. SD Gundam (Super Deformed) – RX-78-2 Gundam (EX-Standard)

SD Gundam RX-78-2 (EX-Standard) – This adorable chibi-style Gundam is perfect for absolute beginners or younger builders. SD (Super Deformed) kits are only a few inches tall, but they’re big on charm and very easy to build. The EX-Standard RX-78-2 Gundam kit features simplified construction with large, chunky parts that snap together in minutes (gunpla101.com). Don’t let the cartoonish proportions fool you – it still comes with the classic Gundam’s beam rifle and shield, and it’s instantly recognizable as the iconic hero mecha. SD kits are budget-friendly (usually under $15) and require no glue or paint, yet look colorful thanks to molded plastic and stickers.

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly: Quick build (often 30 minutes or less) (gunpla101.com), minimal parts, and no tools needed. You get a finished mini Gundam without any fuss.

• Standout Features: Cute appearance, pre-colored parts, and decent articulation for an SD (the EX-Standard series improved limb proportions for better posing newtype.us). It’s a fun introduction to Gundam designs without the complexity of larger kits.

• Quick Tip: Take care applying the eye sticker – a steady hand or tweezers will help. Panel lining the head’s vents and camera can also make this tiny Gundam model kit pop.

4. HG MS-06S Zaku II (Char’s Zaku) – High Grade 1/144

HGUC Zaku II (Char’s Custom) – Beginners shouldn’t miss out on the bad guys! Char’s red Zaku II is an iconic villain suit and a great first High Grade (HG) Gunpla. As a modern HG kit, it’s designed for snap-fit assembly with no glue required, making it easy and accessible for first-timers (lascalemodel.com). The parts come pre-molded in the signature Zaku colors (no painting needed) so the finished model looks true to the anime (lascalemodel.com). This 1/144 scale kit has a straightforward build with well-fitting pieces, and it offers a satisfying contrast to the heroic Gundams.

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly: The Zaku II’s design is relatively simple – rounded armor and fewer fiddly bits – so it goes together without trouble. Instructions are clear, and the kit is engineered to be beginner-friendly (Bandai even included features like snap-fit joints and pre-colored parts to eliminate glue and paint lascalemodel.com).

• Standout Features: Despite its simplicity, it has good detail (mono-eye sensor, spiked shoulder) and articulated joints for posing (lascalemodel.com). It comes with multiple weapons (machine gun, heat hawk axe, bazooka), giving you fun options to pose your completed model. Plus, the nostalgic appeal – this classic Zeon suit is a piece of anime history.

• Quick Tip: After assembling, use the provided sticker for Char’s signature mono-eye, or even better, a tiny dab of metallic pink paint for a more realistic look. Also, keep the instruction manual – it includes a color guide and info if you ever want to detail-paint later.

3. HG Gundam Barbatos – High Grade 1/144 (Iron-Blooded Orphans)

HG Gundam Barbatos – Coming from Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, Barbatos is a fan-favorite mobile suit that also happens to be an excellent beginner HG kit. It was hailed as a kit that “revolutionized” High Grades, because Bandai introduced sturdier joint construction (no polycaps in many joints) and great flexibility in this model (gunpla101.comamazon.com). Don’t worry if that sounds technical – what it means is Barbatos is poseable and stable, and fun to build. The kit’s parts snap together smoothly, and it has impressive detail for a 1/144 scale model. It comes with cool melee weapons (a huge mace and a sword) and has a lean, mechanical aesthetic that looks awesome out-of-box.

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly: The HG Barbatos is a straightforward build with a low parts count and was designed with new builders in mind (artrovogundam.com). Assembly is entirely snap-fit and “pretty easy to put together”according to reviewers (gunpla101.com). The kit uses color-separated parts to minimize stickers; most of the color accents are plastic, so you only have a few small stickers to apply.

• Standout Features: Fantastic articulation – the design has very little skirt or armor to hinder movement, so it can kneel, crouch, and strike dynamic poses with ease (gunpla101.com). The range of motion is often praised, with one review noting it has “a great range of motion and was pretty easy to assemble” (amazon.com). Its skeletal inner frame (partial on the HG) gives it stability, and the unique white/blue armor with spiky shoulders makes it stand out on your shelf. It’s also very affordable for what you get.

• Quick Tip: The Barbatos has a few tiny red stickers for cockpit and camera details. Use tweezers to place them accurately, and consider securing them with a drop of clear topcoat so they stay put during posing (gunpla101.comgunpla101.com). Also, give the weapons a quick swipe with a silver marker or paint on the edges to simulate metal – it adds an extra touch with minimal effort.

2. HG Gundam Aerial – High Grade 1/144 (Witch from Mercury)

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly: Despite having more parts than an Entry Grade, the HG Aerial is still very approachable. The instructions are visual and simple to follow. The kit’s pieces are molded in color, so the finished model looks great without painting. Importantly, it has strong, snap-fit construction, so you won’t struggle with loose parts. In fact, its design and low part-count make it “pretty easy to put together,” allowing a new builder to complete it in an evening (gunpla101.com).

• Standout Features: Terrific detail and accessories for a beginner kit. The Aerial comes with effect parts and gimmicks: the shield can split into Bit Staves (little drone pieces) that attach on the body – a fun feature straight from the show (barnesandnoble.com). Articulation is also impressive; you can get dynamic poses (kneeling, action base flying poses, etc.) thanks to the flexible joints. It’s satisfying to see that even without any paint, the kit’s multi-colored plastic and a few stickers recreate the complex “shell unit” glowing effect on the chest (barnesandnoble.com).

• Quick Tip: Before snapping the clear blue chest parts in, decide if you want to use the foil stickers underneath for the “illumination” look (barnesandnoble.com). The stickers give a shiny pattern, but some builders prefer the clean transparent look – it’s up to you. Also, dry-fit the Aerial’s head pieces before final assembly to ensure the tiny V-fin and face align correctly (common advice for any Gundam head). A panel lining pen can bring out the panel lines on the white armor, making this Gundam look extra sharp.

1. Entry Grade RX-78-2 Gundam – Entry Grade 1/144

Entry Grade RX-78-2 Gundam – The top pick is none other than the granddaddy Gundam itself, in Entry Grade (EG) form. This kit is specifically designed as the ultimate beginner Gundam kit, and it truly delivers. The EG RX-78-2 comes “consisting of only 74 parts” and is engineered so well that you don’t need any tools, glue, or even stickers to complete it (gundamplanet.com). Parts twist off the runners easily and snap together securely – the build is straightforward and very satisfying for a first-timer. Despite the simplicity, the finished model looks fantastic and highly detailed, representing the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam from the 1979 series in all its glory.

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly: The Entry Grade series was literally created for beginners. Everything about this kit screams accessibility: color-molded parts mean no painting is needed, and the fit is so precise that the Gundam holds together firmly without adhesives (gundamplanet.com). Even small details like the eyes and cameras are pre-colored or cleverly molded in, so unlike older kits, no stickers are required for tiny details (gundamplanet.com). You can build it in under an hour, and the instructions are very clear. Gundam Planet calls this kit “the ultimate introduction item for Gunpla” (gundamplanet.com), and we agree!

• Standout Features: Excellent articulation and accuracy for such a simple kit. The RX-78-2 EG can move its arms and legs in wide ranges – you can pose it in action stances or the classic Gundam beam rifle shooting pose easily. The fact that it achieves this with so few parts is a testament to Bandai’s design. It comes with the Gundam’s signature Beam Rifle and Shield, so you have some play value. Also, it’s incredibly affordable (around $10-$12), making it a low-risk first kit. Builders are often surprised that an easy kit like this has “very high level of detail and amazing articulation” for its class (hlj.com).

• Quick Tip: Even though it’s an easy build, take your time aligning parts – the EG’s pieces fit tightly, so make sure they’re pressed in all the way for the best result. You actually don’t need nippers for this kit, but if you want an extra clean finish, you can clip the parts off the runners instead of twisting (just a preference). After building, consider doing some simple panel lining in the grooves (with a fine marker or panel line pen) to bring out details; it’s an easy way to level-up the look (gunpla101.com). But even straight out-of-box, this Gundam looks awesome and will ignite your excitement to build more Gunpla (gunpla101.com)!

Conclusion

Embarking on your Gunpla journey is an exciting step, and with any of these top 5 entry-level Gundam kits, you’ll be off to a great start. Whether you choose a tiny SD Gundam for a quick, charming build or the classic Entry Grade RX-78-2 for a true introductory experience, you can’t go wrong – each of these kits is designed to be beginner-friendly and fun. Remember, all Gunpla are snap-fit and require no glue, so jump in and don’t be afraid to try. As you build, you’ll learn the basics: snipping parts, following instructions, and watching your Gundam take shape. By the end of your first kit, you’ll have a cool model on your shelf and the confidence to tackle more.

One more thing: while Bandai’s kits are the go-to for their quality and ease, there are also some high-quality third-party model kits out there. These can be interesting once you’ve got a couple of builds under your belt – some offer unique designs or details – but generally, we recommend starting with Bandai for guaranteed smooth assembly (gundamplanet.comgundamplanet.com). The key is to have fun and go at your own pace. Gunpla building isn’t a race; it’s about the joy of creation. So grab the kit that excites you most, put on some background music or your favorite Gundam show, and enjoy the process. With your first Gundam model kit completed, you’ll officially be a Gunpla builder – welcome to the hobby! Now get out there, pick a kit, and start building your Gundam. The vast universe of Gunpla awaits you. Happy building!