Starting out with Gunpla? Here's how to read instructions and understand the symbols like a pro

Building Gunpla kits can be a fun and rewarding hobby, and being able to read and understand the instructions and symbols is an important part of the process. If you're just starting out with Gunpla, it may take some practice to get the hang of it, but with a little patience and attention to detail, you'll be able to assemble your kits with ease.

Many Gunpla kits are produced by Japanese companies and are intended for sale in Japan, and as a result, the instructions are often written in Japanese. However, many Gunpla kits are also sold internationally and are translated into other languages, including English. 

Reading the Instruction

Reading Gunpla instructions is an important part of the model building process, as it helps you to understand how the kit should be assembled and ensures that you have all the necessary parts and tools. Here are a few tips for reading Gunpla instructions:

1. Start by familiarizing yourself with the symbols and conventions used in the instructions. These may include arrows to indicate how parts should be fitted together, numbers to indicate the order in which parts should be used, and circles with diagonal lines to indicate parts that should not be used.

2. Read through the instructions before starting the assembly process. This will give you an overview of the steps involved and allow you to get a sense of the overall structure of the kit.

3. Follow the instructions in the order they are presented. Each step will typically have a diagram showing how the parts should be assembled, with corresponding text explaining the process in more detail.

4. Pay attention to the orientation of the parts as you assemble them. Some parts may need to be oriented a certain way in order to fit together properly.

5. Use the parts list at the beginning of the instructions to verify that you have all the parts you need before starting assembly.

Parts List

One of the most helpful features of Gunpla instructions is the Parts List, which provides a complete overview of all the runners included in the kit. This is a great resource for getting familiarized with the kit and ensuring that you have all the necessary parts before starting the assembly process.

Before starting the assembly process, it's essential to make sure that you have all the runners and sprues you need. If you have purchased a used Gunpla kit, it's especially important to check the Parts List to ensure that you have all the parts and that nothing is missing. This will save you time and frustration later on.

What do those Symbols in Gunpla instructions mean?

The MG Barbatos instructions come with both Japanese and English translations for the various symbols used in the manual. A list of all the symbols can be found on page three, with any symbols that are not used in the instructions grayscaled for clarity. This is a helpful feature that makes it easier to understand the instructions and follow the assembly process.

Bandai has introduced a few new symbols over the years. Below is a table of reference with most common symbols.

	Apply glue here
	Sticker Number
	Decal Number
	Cut here
	Assemble this part first
	Assemble this part later
	Attach to the opposite side
	Both sides use identical parts
	Move the opposite side as well
	Build specified number of parts
	Rotate as indicated
	Select a part to attach
	Pay attention to part orientation when assembling
	Do not overtighten screws
	Do not cut