High Grade (1990)
In: Gunpla List | High Grade | High Grade (1990)

In the year 1990, Bandai introduced the original High Grade (HG) line as part of the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Gunpla. It only included MS from the Universal Century timeline, specifically the first four protagonist Gundams. Using the latest molding technology of the time, the HG line boasted several improvements from their previous model kits: snap-fit assembly, polycap joints, sensor parts (i.e. eyes) molded in clear plastic, System injection (molding process wherein multiple colors are injected in a single runner/part), and some gimmicks. The kits come with an instruction booklet featuring artworks by mech designers Kunio Okawara and Hajime Katoki, who contributed to the redesign of the kits in this line.

High Grade (1990)
NO. | High Grade 1990 | Gunpla Manual |
---|---|---|
![]() HG 01 | RX-78 Gundam March 1990 | ¥1,000 | ![]() |
![]() HG 02 | MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam May 1990 | ¥1,200 | ![]() |
![]() HG 03 | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II July 1990 | ¥1,000 | ![]() |
![]() HG 04 | MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam July 1990 | ¥1,500 | ![]() |
HG G-Saviour
In December 2000, Bandai released a single HG kit for the live-action film G-Saviour.
Knowledge
Eliminating the need for glue in the assembly and reducing the need for paint, the original HG line was considered revolutionary at the time of its release.
High Grade has become an all-encompassing term for variations of the Grade. Thus, modelers use different terms when referring to this lineup (e.g. HG 1990 or original HG). Particularly in Japan, modelers call it “旧HG” (Kyū HG, translates to “Old HG”).
The lineup introduced the packaging format which would also be the standard packaging for the HGUC lineup.
- Black background
- MS name printed in Compacta font with a colored square before it
- Gold stripe on the side panels
The MS Joint system implemented in this lineup became the basis for the inner frames used in Real Grade, Master Grade, and Perfect Grade kits.
References
High Grade ect.
- High Grade Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996-1999)
- High Grade Fighting Action (1998)
- High Grade Gundam Wing Dual Story G-Unit (1997)
- High Grade Gundam Universal Century, After Colony, After War, Future Century, Cosmic Era and Correct Century
- High Grade (1990)
- High Grade Mechanics (2001-2002)
- High Grade Gundam Thunderbolt (2013-2014)
- High Grade Gundam SEED (2002-2013)
- High Grade Gundam 00 (2007-2010)
- High Grade IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS (2015-2022)
- High Grade The Witch from Mercury (2022-2023)
- High Grade Reconguista in G (HGRG 1/144)
- High Grade Gundam AGE (2011-2013)
- High Grade Gundam The Origin (2015-2023)