Gunpla Posing Tips for Beginners: Easy Ways to Make Your Build Look Dynamic

So, you’ve done it. You’ve gone and built your first Gunpla, maybe added the stickers, and who knows? Maybe you’ve gone the extra mile and panel-lined, airbrushed, and decaled it as well. There might be a panel line you missed, or a nub mark that’s noticeable, but who cares? It’s yours. You made this, and those imperfections are what make it unique and truly yours. You know you’ll do better next time.

But none of that matters right now, because at this moment, the fruits of your labour stand in front of you. After moving around some of the joints to test the articulation, you take a step back, observing the effort you put in and…

There is no beauty. There is no grace.
It fell over and landed on its face.

Posing Your Gunpla: Adding Character to a Static Model

Let’s talk about posing.

Whether it’s making your Gunpla look good on your shelf, showing it off to friends, or earning some internet points, how you pose your Gunpla is vital to the overall quality of your build.

For example, here are two of the same model — the Entry Grade RX-78-2 Gundam.

Despite the left one having more effort put into it (through airbrushing, panel lining, and decals), its cold, soulless stance drags down what could’ve been a great build. Its lack of expression does nothing to highlight the builder’s care and effort.

In contrast, the one on the right, a simple snap build done in minutes, shows far more personality through expressive posing. The crunched abs, wide stance, and raised shoulders create an imposing silhouette that makes the Gunpla feel alive.

Still, not all Gunpla are created equal. Generally speaking, modern kits have far better articulation thanks to Bandai’s engineering improvements over the years.

The Basics of Gunpla Posing

If you’re not sure where to start, the Gunpla’s box art and instruction manual are great sources of inspiration. They show you how the designers envisioned the model in motion.

That said, not every suggested pose looks good — some can look pretty goofy when recreated exactly.

Using Reference Images for Gunpla Posing Ideas

Luckily, we live in a very connected world. If you ever need ideas, the internet is your best friend. There are countless Gunpla posing references online to help inspire your next display.

To a town called Agua Fria rode an HG one fine day…

You can copy or adapt poses from other builders, or draw inspiration from Gundam anime scenes that feature dynamic action shots.

But why stop there? Posing is a universal language; from classical statues to video games, there are endless sources of reference. Just remember that angles matter: a pose that looks amazing from one side might look awkward from another.

Creating Your Own Gunpla Pose

Maybe you want to create your own pose from scratch, without relying on reference images. This is where your creativity comes in.

Before finalising a pose, ask yourself:

• What is the general personality of your Gunpla?

• What weapon will it use?

• Is it on the ground or in the air?

• Is it charging forward or standing still?

• If it’s using a melee weapon, is it before or after the attack?

Each answer helps you visualise your pose more clearly, bringing you closer to what you want to create.

Essential Guidelines for Posing Gunpla

Even creative posing benefits from a few fundamentals that make your Gunpla look better, even in a neutral stance.

1. Point the chin downward.
Makes the profile less awkward and more natural.

2. Level the shoulders.
Uneven shoulders make a stance look sloppy.

3. Curve the body slightly (the “S” shape).
Protruding the hips and chest while crunching the abs creates a natural, dynamic silhouette.

4. Bend the arms a little.
Slight bends add sharpness and energy; straight arms look stiff.

5. Open up the feet.
A wider stance provides stability and volume to the pose.

Make sure not to overdo it! These are guidelines, not rules. Depending on the pose, breaking a few can actually make your display look better. And if something still feels off, try posing two Gunpla together as they can complement or contrast each other to create a more dynamic scene.

Bring Your Gunpla to Life

Now you know how to add character, balance, and emotion to your Gunpla. With all those moving joints, it’s a shame not to use them to their full potential!

So go ahead, tilt that head, widen that stance, and breathe life into your Gunpla.

With locations conveniently located throughout Metro Sydney, finding the perfect hobby shop near you has never been easier. Experience the excitement of exploring our vast selection of Gunpla, expert advice, and exceptional customer service. Discover why Hobbyco is the number one hobby shop in Australia. Customers can buy products online through our platform.