The Best Gundam SEED Model Kits by Grade
Gundam SEED has some of the most popular mobile suits ever designed: Strike, Freedom, Justice, Strike Freedom and Destiny. Big wings, bright colors, and a huge range of kits in every grade. That's great news for builders, and a little confusing when you're trying to pick one.
This guide walks through the best Gundam SEED model kits by grade, from quick HGs to the Perfect Grade Astray, plus how to build a squad that matches the show.
Gundam SEED in 60 seconds
Gundam SEED is set in the Cosmic Era, a timeline separate from the original Universal Century. Genetically enhanced Coordinators of ZAFT fight the Naturals of the Earth Alliance, and teenage pilot Kira Yamato ends up in the cockpit of the Strike Gundam fighting against his childhood friend Athrun Zala.
Watch order:
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (Strike, Aegis, Freedom, Justice).
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (Strike Freedom, Infinite Justice, Destiny, Impulse).
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, the movie (Mighty Strike Freedom, Lightning Buster, and new ZAFT and Foundation suits).
The SEED Astray side stories follow junk dealer Lowe Guele and the Astray Red Frame, which became a fan favorite with some of the best kits in the line.
Browse every kit from the timeline in Gundam SEED, or narrow it down with SEED Destiny, SEED FREEDOM and SEED Astray.
Best SEED High Grade (HG) kits
SEED's HG kits carry the HGCE label (High Grade Cosmic Era). Newer HGCE releases, often called "Revive" kits, have much better proportions and articulation than the original HG SEED kits from the 2000s. If two HG versions exist, buy the HGCE one.
HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam
The HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam is the best place to start. Kira's SEED Destiny suit comes with its gold-framed dragoon wings, two beam rifles that combine, beam sabers and hip rail guns. It can recreate both its HiMAT flight pose and full burst mode.
HGCE Freedom Gundam
The original hero suit from SEED. The HGCE Freedom Gundam has the classic blue wings and a full set of rail guns and cannons. Display it next to Strike Freedom to see how the design evolved.
HGCE Lightning Buster Gundam
From the SEED FREEDOM movie, the HGCE Lightning Buster Gundam is a heavy-artillery build with huge combining cannons. Great if you like long-range suits more than sword fighters.
HGCE Gelgoog Menace (Lunamaria Hawke Custom)
Lunamaria's red Gelgoog from the movie, the HGCE Gelgoog Menace, brings the classic Gelgoog look into the Cosmic Era. Pair it with the Figure-rise Standard Lunamaria Hawke character kit for a pilot-and-suit display.
More HGCE kits: HGCE Gundam Model Kits.
Best SEED Real Grade (RG) kits
Real Grade brings an inner frame and fine detail to 1/144 scale. SEED designs suit RG especially well because the wings and weapons have so many moving parts.
RG Strike Freedom Gundam
The RG Strike Freedom Gundam has a famous gold inner frame that shows through the armor. It's one of the most striking RGs ever made. Expect a detailed build with lots of small parts.
RG Aile Strike Gundam
Where Kira's story begins. The RG Aile Strike Gundam is one of the earliest RGs and still a great build, with the Aile Striker backpack included. It's simpler than newer RGs, which makes it a good first RG.
RG Gundam Astray Red Frame
The RG Astray Red Frame is a fan favorite for its slim, ninja-like look and the Gerbera Straight katana. If you love sword poses, this is your RG.
RG Akatsuki Gundam (Oowashi Unit)
Cagalli's golden RG Akatsuki Gundam with Oowashi Unit is pure shelf presence. The plated gold armor makes it a premium kit, and it looks incredible under display lighting.
Every Real Grade: Real Grade collection.
Best SEED Master Grade (MG) kits
MG Freedom Gundam Ver. 2.0
If you're building one SEED Master Grade, make it the MG Freedom Gundam Ver. 2.0. The updated version has better proportions and a fully detailed inner frame, and the wings open into a huge display spread. It's also one of the best first MGs for any builder.
MG Justice Gundam
Athrun's suit and Freedom's partner. The MG Justice Gundam includes its Fatum-00 backpack, which detaches into a flight unit. Freedom and Justice together are the classic SEED pair.
MG Strike Freedom Gundam Full Burst Mode
The MG Strike Freedom Full Burst Mode is built around Kira's famous full burst pose, with every weapon deployed at once. If you want the most dramatic SEED display possible, this is it.
MG Destiny Gundam and MG Infinite Justice Gundam
Complete the SEED Destiny lineup with Shinn's MG Destiny Gundam (with its huge Arondight anti-ship sword) and Athrun's MG Infinite Justice Gundam.
Prefer chibi proportions with a real inner frame? The MGSD Destiny Gundam is a Master Grade SD kit: short and cute outside, MG-level engineering inside.
Every Master Grade: Master Grade collection.
Full Mechanics: MG size, faster build
Full Mechanics kits are 1/100 like MG but skip the full inner frame, so they build in 4 to 8 hours. SEED's Earth Alliance trio got the FM treatment: the FM Forbidden Gundam with its giant scythe and beam-bending shield, and the bird-like FM Raider Gundam. See Full Mechanics.
Perfect Grade: the SEED centerpiece
The PG Gundam Astray Red Frame Kai is about 30 cm tall at 1/60 scale, with a detailed inner frame, the Gerbera Straight katana and the Kai upgrade's extra gear. It's a 20 to 40 hour build for experienced builders. See Perfect Grade.
SD SEED kits
For a quick, cute build, the SD Gundam Cross Silhouette Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam brings the movie's final suit to SD form. Cross Silhouette kits also work with the Cross Silhouette Frame (sold separately) for taller proportions. More SD: Super Deformed.
Full Mechanics, Perfect Grade and SD picks
Build a SEED squad
| Pilot | SEED | SEED Destiny | SEED FREEDOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kira Yamato | Strike, Freedom | Strike Freedom | Rising Freedom, Mighty Strike Freedom |
| Athrun Zala | Aegis, Justice | Saviour, Infinite Justice | Infinite Justice Type II |
| Shinn Asuka | Impulse, Destiny | Destiny Spec II | |
| Lunamaria Hawke | Gunner ZAKU Warrior, Impulse | Gelgoog Menace |
Tip: keep a squad in the same grade so they stand at the same height. HGCE is the easiest grade to collect a full cast in.
Shipping
Kits marked In stock ship from our Fort Lauderdale shop in 1 business day. Kits marked Imported are ordered after you buy and arrive in 3 to 4 weeks (4 to 5 weeks to Puerto Rico and outside the continental US). Economy shipping is free on orders over $75 in the continental US, Standard is $10, and Florida residents pay $5.
FAQ
What is the best Gundam SEED kit for beginners?
The HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam. It's a modern HG, the build is smooth, and it's the suit most fans want first. For a first MG, the MG Freedom Gundam Ver. 2.0.
What does HGCE mean?
High Grade Cosmic Era: Bandai's HG line for SEED, SEED Destiny and SEED FREEDOM. It's the same 1/144 High Grade scale as every other HG.
Should I get RG or MG Strike Freedom?
RG if you want maximum detail on a small shelf. MG if you want a bigger kit with easier-to-handle parts. Our HG vs RG vs MG guide explains the difference.
What's the difference between Freedom and Strike Freedom?
Freedom is Kira's suit in SEED, with blue wings. Strike Freedom is its SEED Destiny successor, with gold-framed wings that launch remote dragoon weapons.
Do I need to watch SEED to enjoy the kits?
Not at all. Many builders pick SEED kits purely for the designs. If you do want to watch, start with the first SEED series.
New to Gunpla? Start with New to Gunpla, then grab the basics from our tools guide.