Bandai Gundam Entry Grade

Revolutionary Beginner-Friendly Model Kit System

The Bandai Entry Grade collection from Bandai Namco represents a revolutionary approach to model kit design, eliminating traditional barriers to entry by creating simplified construction systems that maintain authentic character proportions and impressive visual results while requiring no tools, glue, paint, or prior building experience. Originally developed for the Gundam franchise to introduce new audiences to Gunpla, the Entry Grade philosophy has expanded across multiple Bandai properties including tokusatsu heroes, anime characters, video game icons, and sports collaborations, offering accessible building experiences that build confidence and fundamental skills without overwhelming complexity. These kits typically feature part counts between fifteen to thirty pieces, color-accurate plastic molding that reproduces character designs through the plastic itself, and ingenious engineering that achieves articulation and detail density previously requiring much higher part counts and advanced building techniques.

Entry Grade Gundam Strike - The Gateway Kit

The Entry Grade Strike Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED serves as the flagship kit that established the Entry Grade standard, delivering the iconic mobile suit in 1/144 scale with remarkably simplified construction that assembles in approximately thirty to forty-five minutes. This kit demonstrates the Entry Grade philosophy through color-separated parts that reproduce Strike's white, blue, red, and yellow color scheme without stickers or paint, snap-fit construction using large parts with intuitive connection points, and articulation in shoulders, hips, knees, and head despite the minimal part count. The completed model stands approximately five inches tall with authentic Strike Gundam proportions, panel line detail molded into the armor surfaces, and included beam rifle and shield accessories. The instruction manual uses visual assembly guides with minimal text, making it accessible to young builders and international audiences, while the forgiving construction tolerates minor assembly errors without compromising final appearance.

Tokusatsu Heroes - Kamen Rider and Ultraman

The Entry Grade system extends to Japanese tokusatsu franchises with Kamen Rider Saber and Kamen Rider Zero-One Rising Hopper delivering the armored heroes in simplified buildable form. Kamen Rider Saber features the distinctive book-themed armor with red and blue color separation, Wonder Ride Book accessories, and articulation enabling heroic poses despite the streamlined construction. Kamen Rider Zero-One Rising Hopper showcases the yellow and black grasshopper-themed design with compound eyes, Rising Hopper Progrise Key detail, and dynamic stance options. Ultraman Zero brings the legendary Ultra hero to Entry Grade with his distinctive head crest, color timer, beam lamp eyes, and red and silver color scheme accurately reproduced through color-separated plastic. These tokusatsu kits maintain character accuracy while adapting complex suit designs to the Entry Grade format, making iconic heroes accessible to young fans and collectors seeking quick satisfying builds.

Beloved Character Icons

Entry Grade expands beyond action heroes to include beloved characters from anime, manga, and video games with universal appeal. Doraemon delivers the iconic blue robot cat with his distinctive round proportions, red collar with bell, white face and hands, and signature four-dimensional pocket, all achieved through simple snap-fit construction perfect for young builders. Conan Edogawa from Detective Conan features the boy detective in his characteristic blue suit, red bow tie, and glasses with articulation enabling detective poses and included accessories. Kirby brings Nintendo's pink puffball to buildable form with his spherical body, stubby arms and feet, and cheerful expression captured through minimal parts with maximum charm. These character kits demonstrate Entry Grade versatility across different aesthetic styles from realistic proportions to super-deformed designs, united by accessible construction and authentic character representation.

NBA Pac-Man Collaboration Series

The Entry Grade Pac-Man NBA collaboration introduces sports team branding to the classic video game icon with team-specific color schemes and logos. Pac-Man Boston Celtics features green and white team colors, Pac-Man Los Angeles Lakers showcases purple and gold, Pac-Man Chicago Bulls delivers red and black, Pac-Man Golden State Warriors presents blue and gold, and Pac-Man Milwaukee Bucks offers green team styling. Each kit builds the iconic Pac-Man character with team-appropriate color molding, simple snap-fit assembly, and compact size perfect for desk displays or sports memorabilia collections. These collaboration kits demonstrate Entry Grade's flexibility for licensed partnerships and themed variants that appeal to collectors beyond traditional model building audiences.

Figure-rise Entry Grade Character Kits

The Figure-rise brand extends into Entry Grade territory with character model kits using the simplified construction philosophy. Entry Grade Figure-rise Super Saiyan God 3 Vegeta brings the Dragon Ball character to accessible buildable form with his distinctive red hair, muscular physique, and Saiyan battle armor reproduced through color-separated parts. This kit bridges the gap between traditional Figure-rise Standard complexity and Entry Grade accessibility, offering Dragon Ball fans a quick build option with authentic character representation and basic articulation for display poses. The Figure-rise Entry Grade approach suggests future expansion possibilities for other anime and game characters using the beginner-friendly construction system.

Engineering Innovation and Build Experience

Entry Grade kits achieve their accessibility through innovative engineering solutions including large parts with integrated details that would require multiple pieces in traditional kits, undergated connections that hide attachment points for clean final appearance, and color layering techniques where different colored parts stack to create multi-tone effects without painting. The snap-fit joints use friction and geometry rather than polycaps, reducing part count while maintaining stable articulation. Instruction manuals emphasize visual communication with numbered steps, directional arrows, and part callouts using actual part images rather than abstract diagrams. The building experience typically progresses from torso assembly through limbs and head, with final accessory attachment, creating natural progression that builds confidence as the model takes recognizable shape.

Educational Value and Skill Development

Entry Grade kits serve educational purposes beyond simple entertainment by teaching fundamental skills including following sequential instructions, spatial reasoning through three-dimensional part orientation, fine motor control during part separation and assembly, and problem-solving when parts don't initially fit correctly. The forgiving construction allows mistakes to be corrected without damaging parts, encouraging experimentation and learning from errors. Parents and educators appreciate Entry Grade as STEM-adjacent activities that develop patience, attention to detail, and sense of accomplishment through tangible completed projects. The quick build times maintain engagement for younger builders with shorter attention spans, while the impressive final results provide motivation and pride in craftsmanship.

Gateway to Advanced Gunpla and Model Building

Entry Grade serves as the ideal introduction to the broader Gunpla ecosystem, establishing fundamental concepts that transfer to more complex grades. Builders who complete Entry Grade kits gain confidence to attempt High Grade kits with increased part counts and detail, progress to Real Grade with realistic proportions and advanced engineering, or eventually tackle Master Grade with internal frames and complex construction. The skills learned through Entry Grade assembly including part identification, following instructions, and basic articulation understanding provide foundation for lifelong hobby engagement. Many experienced builders maintain Entry Grade kits in their collections as quick palette cleansers between complex projects or for introducing friends and family to model building without intimidation.

Perfect Introduction to Model Building

Whether you're introducing children to their first model kit, testing your interest in Gunpla before investing in advanced grades, seeking quick satisfying builds that complete in single sessions, building with young family members as bonding activities, or collecting simplified versions of favorite characters, Bandai Entry Grade delivers exceptional value through revolutionary engineering that removes traditional barriers while maintaining quality standards and authentic character representation. Explore the complete Entry Grade collection spanning Gundam mobile suits, tokusatsu heroes, beloved anime characters, video game icons, and sports collaborations to discover accessible model building that proves anyone can create impressive results with the right kit design and Bandai's commitment to innovation.