High Grade Logo
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  |
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  |
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 Ζ Plus C1 kit from Gundam Sentinel. |
03  |
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  |
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 | 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. |
| 369 | RX-178 "Gundam Mk-II" Grade-Up Parts | Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam | ¥900 | 1990 | Resin-molded upgrade kit for HG-03. Includes side skirts with mounting holes, 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 | 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. |
| 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  |
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 yellow-orange square used on the RX-78 Gundam became the standard series color for HGUC kits from Mobile Suit Gundam, MSV, 08th MS Team, MS IGLOO, Harmony of Gundam, Blue Destiny, and Battlefield Record U.C. 0081.
- The green square used on the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II is the standard series color for HGUC kits from Zeta Gundam, Zeta MSV, and Advance of Zeta: The Flag of Titans.
- The purple square used on the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam was reassigned to the HGAC kits from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.
- The blue-green square on the MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam was replaced by orange for the HGUC kits from Gundam ZZ.
- 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