ListBest Epyon Gunpla Kits: RG and MG Ranked
Epyon is a weird suit to shop for. It only has one real grade lineup, no Perfect Grade, no Entry Grade, and the mobile suit itself lives or dies on that dragon-wing heat rod silhouette translating into plastic without looking stiff.
I have gone through the RG and the MG EW releases, plus the clear color P-Bandai variants that show up every few years, to figure out which one earns a spot on a shelf and which one is really just for people who already own the first version and want a second colorway.
If you only want one Epyon, start at the top. If you are the type who collects every version of a favorite suit, keep reading, because the picture changes a lot between grades.
11. OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon
This RG at 1/144 is the version I point people to first. It is not a straight shrink of the old MG, it is a newer engineering pass built around the winged dragon motif, and it shows in the forearm claws that pose in mobile armor mode and a waist that turns the full 360 degrees. Builders online consistently call out how good the molded color separation is straight off the runner, so a straight build already looks finished. The heat rod whip is thin plastic and needs careful handling, but for the price and size this is the most complete Epyon experience available.
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22. OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon
Same RG kit, same 1/144 scale, and it earns the same rating because nothing about the engineering changes between print runs or regional releases. If your local shop or online retailer lists a separate SKU for this one, do not stress over which listing to buy, the parts and gimmicks inside the box are identical to the other RG entry. What stands out on a second build is how forgiving the runner layout is for panel lining, since the segmented armor plates give you clean edges to work along without much masking.
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3. OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon [Cross Contact Color/Clear White]
The MG at 1/100 gives Epyon a full inner frame and armor you can pop off piece by piece, which the RG simply does not offer, and this clear white colorway shows that frame through the chest and wing joints in a way the standard MG colors hide. It transforms into flight mode and the gimmick works, but multiple builders flag the same two issues, loose fitting arm and armor joints over time, and a heat rod whip heavy enough that the left arm needs support to hold a pose. Worth it if you want the frame detail.
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4. OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon (Cross Contrast Colors/Clear White)
This is the same MG EW mold and the same clear white treatment, listed separately, and it carries the identical strengths and weak points as the other Cross Contact release: a satisfying transformation gimmick, a frame worth displaying with armor removed, and that same top-heavy heat rod whip on the left arm. If you already own one Cross Contact colorway of this MG, skip buying a second, the differences are packaging and SKU, not parts. If you do not own either yet, treat rank three and four as one recommendation and pick whichever is in stock.
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5. MG Gundam Epyon EW (Sturm und Drang)
Bandai has also run Premium Bandai colorways of this same MG mold under names like Sturm und Drang, swapping in deep red and gunmetal plastic instead of the clear white treatments above. We have not put one of these through a full build yet, so treat it as a colorway to watch for rather than a confirmed pick, but the underlying kit is the same solid MG EW engineering, frame and all.
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6. MG Gundam Epyon EW (original release)
Before the newer colorways, Bandai's original late-90s MG 1/100 Epyon EW release is still floating around secondhand and occasionally back in production. It is the same core engineering the Cross Contact versions above use, without the clear parts, and it is worth hunting down if you just want the mainline MG color scheme without paying a P-Bandai premium for a clear variant you may not even want.
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For most builders the RG Epyon is the smarter buy, and the MG is worth the step up only if you specifically want a removable inner frame and the flight mode transformation.
Common questions
Is the RG or MG Epyon the better kit to start with?
Start with the RG. It is 1/144, cheaper, easier to find, and the engineering behind the wing and claw gimmicks is newer than the MG's. Move to the MG later if you want an internal frame and a transform-to-flight-mode gimmick.
Is there a Perfect Grade or Entry Grade Epyon?
No. As of now Epyon's official lineup tops out at Master Grade, with Real Grade as the smaller-scale option. There is no PG or EG version.
What is the difference between the two MG Epyon Cross Contact releases?
They are the same mold and the same clear white plastic treatment sold under slightly different Premium Bandai listing names. Functionally, they build the same kit.
Does the MG Epyon's transformation gimmick actually work well?
Yes, it transforms to flight mode as designed, but the heat rod whip on the left arm is heavy enough that several builders note the pose needs a display stand or support to hold without drooping.