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High Grade (HG) (ハイグレード Hai Gurēdo?) is a line of Gunpla kits of the Mobile Suits from the Universal Century timeline in the Gundam meta series. The first variation of the HG line, it was introduced in 1990 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gunpla, featuring the first four main Gundams in 1/144 scale redesigned with the latest molding technology at the time.[1] Improvements include snap-fit assembly, polycaps for the joints, clear plastic for the eyes, System Injection (a molding process where two or more colors are injected in one runner or part to minimize the need to use paint), and gimmicks not found in the original kits. Each kit includes an instruction booklet with artwork by Kunio Okawara and Hajime Katoki, who contributed to the redesign of the kits in this line.

Modelers in Japan refer to this line as "Old HG" (旧HG Kyū HG?) to distinguish it from the more recent HG lines.

Lineup[]

HG # Model Series Yen Price Release Date Notes
01
OldHGGundam
RX-78 "Gundam" Mobile Suit Gundam ¥1,000 1990 March

The first HG kit ever released. Uses "MS Joint 2", a polycap-based skeletal frame for the upper torso and legs. Includes a transformable FF-X7 Core Fighter and features a functional Core Block System.

Was given a "Last Shot" final reissue in 2001 March before Bandai permanently discontinued it in favor of HGUC-021. As a result, this kit is highly sought after by collectors, fetching as much as over 10 times its original price.

The original mold is currently on display at The Gundam Base Tokyo.

02
Hg1990-MSZ006
MSZ-006 "Zeta Gundam" Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ¥1,200 1990 May First transformable HG kit; transforms via removal of head and midsection while the beam rifle transforms via parts-swapping. Transformation design is derived from the 1/144 MSZ-006C1 Zeta Plus C1 kit from Gundam Sentinel.

See also MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type).

03
RX-178-gundam4444
RX-178 "Gundam Mk-II" Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ¥1,000 1990 July Uses the same MS Joint 2 runner of HG-01. Features opening cockpit hatch. Compatible with NGZG-30.
04
OldHGZZGundam
MSZ-010 "ZZ Gundam" Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ ¥1,500 1991 July Capable of transforming into the Core Top, Core Base, and G-Fortress; transforms via removal of head. Includes a fully transformable FXA-07GB Neo Core Fighter.

B-Club # Model Series Yen Price Release Date Notes
362
B-Club 362 - Hyper Mega Launcher
Hyper Mega Launcher for MSZ-006 "Zeta Gundam" Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ¥2,800 1990 Resin-molded accessory kit for HG-02 and NGZG-13. Includes hand parts molded with the launcher's handles. Non-transformable kit.
369 RX-178 "Gundam Mk-II" Grade-Up Parts Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ¥900 1990 Resin-molded upgrade kit for HG-03. Includes rear skirt with hyper bazooka rack, two beam rifle magazines, and one bazooka cartridge.
373 RX-78 "Gundam" & MSZ-006 "Zeta Gundam" Sole Parts Mobile Suit Gundam / Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ¥1,200 1990 Resin-molded upgrade kit for HG-01 and HG-02.
393
B-Club 393 - Zeta Gundam Wave Rider Parts
MSZ-006 "Zeta Gundam" Wave Rider Conversion Parts Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ¥2,800 1990 Resin-molded upgrade kit to convert HG-02 into the standard Zeta Gundam. Flying Armor can be assembled to either MS or Wave Rider mode. Includes one grenade launcher pack. Final product is transformable via parts-forming.

HG # Model Series Yen Price Release Date Notes
N/A MSZ-006 "Zeta Gundam" (Gold Metallic Ver.) Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ¥ 1990 Gold chrome coated variant of HG-02.

HG G-Saviour[]

In December 2000, Bandai released a single HG kit for the live-action film G-Saviour.[2]

HG # Model Series Yen Price Release Date Notes
GS-01
High Grade G-Saviour Box art
G-SAVIOUR G-Saviour Space Mode G-Saviour ¥1,500 2000 December

Yen price excluding 5% tax (8% from 2014 to 2019; 10% from 2019 October onwards).

Trivia[]

  • This series introduced the format that would later be used as the standard HGUC box packaging: Black background, MS name printed in Compacta font with a colored square before it, and a gold stripe on the side panels.
  • The MS Joint system introduced in this series would later on become the basis for inner frame technology used in Perfect Grade, Master Grade, and Real Grade kits.
  • The G-Saviour Space Mode was designed with an inner frame and detachable armor pieces, as other variants such as the G-SAVIOUR G-Saviour Terrain Mode were planned for release. However, due to the poor reception of the G-Saviour film, the HG G-Saviour line was cancelled.

See also[]

References[]

External links[]


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