We’ve talked about the manga, and we’ve talked about the mobile suit, but now I want to talk some about the actual model kit itself.
Because here’s the thing about the High Grade Moon Gundam. It was - and still largely is - considered the King of the High Grades. That is quite an honor to be bestowed, and it’s worth looking into it.
Most, if not all of the reviews and opinions I’ve seen on this Gunpla have been overwhelmingly, gushingly positive. And there are still a lot of folks who believe that it is, pound for pound, the best High Grade ever made.
This is because (allegedly) the level of quality on this kit is so high that it looks and feels closer to a Real Grade model than a High Grade. It (allegedly) has a nearly full inner frame, and it uses zero stickers or decals. It also uses a mix of white and grey plastic (which is also like a Real Grade), and even a mix of matte and glossy plastic.
And on top of all that, it also comes with its own Action Base 5, which is something you usually only see on certain Premium Bandai kits.
It all sounds too good to be true, and upon some investigating, it just might be. Here is a photo of someone’s unfinished, custom-colored Moon Gundam:
There’s definitely a full inner frame for the legs and arms, but the torso? Not so much.
I’m still willing to be impressed by this kit, but I’m already starting to suspect that this is a typical case of the Internet overhyping something because they see everything else doing it (and of course they want to signal that they’re part of the in-group).
I’m going to go into the build hopeful, but also skeptical.
About the Cost - and Price Sensitivity
The Moon Gundam is not cheap for a High Grade. Its MSRP is $36, with some shops selling it for up to $40. From what I can gather, this gives a lot of builders (and even some reviewers) a serious case of sticker shock - myself included. The only reason I finally pulled the trigger on it is that I had a gift card lying around. If I had to pay for it out of pocket, I still don’t know if I would have gotten it. Which, the more I think of it, is kind of weird.
Price sensitivity is, of course, a very personal thing. What might be too pricey for me may be reasonable to you, or vice versa. For that reason alone, it’s difficult to say whether or not the Moon Gundam is too expensive, or whether it is a good value. That’s really all up to you.
But consider this - your perception of price or value can change based on how you frame it. For example, at $36 MSRP, this kit costs as much or more as many Real Grades, and is encroaching on the price of low end Master Grades (I’ve purchased at least one Master Grade for $37, and another for $34). From this perspective, the Moon Gundam looks quite overpriced.
But what if we look at it through a different lens? The Moon Gundam also costs much as the High Grade Gundam Rose, which also comes with a full Action Base 5 and a bunch of accessories. And that’s a kit I didn’t hesitate to buy.
Furthermore, it’s only a couple bucks more than some other weirdly expensive HGs, like the Zeta Plus.
That one is $30-$32 MSRP (for reasons I still don’t understand). That’s only $4-$6 less than the Moon Gundam, and it doesn’t even come with an Action Base 5!
And yet … I still came extremely close to getting a Zeta Plus on more than one occasion, despite its seemingly high price.
So here’s the question - if I’m willing to buy kits like Gundam Rose or the Zeta Plus, then why should I have sticker shock over the Moon Gundam?
Ultimately, I now think the problem with the Moon Gundam’s pricing isn’t the price itself, but rather that some of the aspects that drive up its cost are not immediately obvious. For example, I had no idea until I got it that it comes with an Action Base. That alone probably makes up a notable chunk of the price.
When you factor that in alongside the kit’s (allegedly) high level of detail and quality construction, it starts to seem like it’s actually a pretty good value. That’s not to say that it still isn’t pricey. I’m just no longer convinced that it’s some sort of ripoff.
Onto the Build!
Finally we’re ready to dive into the build. I’m looking forward to it - and thanks for sticking with me through all these introductory posts.