3D Printed Gundam Models: 13 Coolest Toys & Weapons

While many anime start off as manga, the Gundam franchise actually began as a TV series before later being adapted into books, movies, and toys. As one of the longest-running, and perhaps well-known, Japanese mech and military franchises of all time, 3D printed Gundam models and toys are a joy for all ages.

Beginning as Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979 and spanning into an unstoppable franchise that’s still going today. So like Star Wars, 3D printing Gundam files appeals to all fans of the franchise, young and old.

Heck, the biggest Gundam fan I know is in her twenties, and I was watching 1995’s Gundam Wing before she was even born!

Whether you’re an avid fan of the multimedia franchise or just love mech anime in general, there’s a whole host of 3D printed Gundam STL files to add to your collection, build a new one, or even literally try on for size!

Here we’ll look at the coolest and most detailed Gundam 3D prints the internet has to offer for all manner of mech anime fan. Some will be quite detailed, and will require extra parts and resources to work or move, but don’t worry, the results are worth it.

Can You 3D Print a Gundam Model?

Making and customizing 3D printed Gundam models is very doable for any Gundam fan. If you’re not up for designing your own models, wearables, and toys from scratch, there are plenty of Gundam STL files online for you to check out, many of them free.

We’ll be looking at some of the coolest Gundam models here.

3D Printed Gundam Model Kits

3D Printed Gundam model kits, (or 3D printed Gunpla, if you will), are the kind of toys the Gundam franchise was practically created to make. Mech anime toys can be found in the toy chest of any child with an active imagination, and on the shelf of any fan of shows like Mobile Suit Gundam or any of its other spiritual successors (Evangelion, anyone?)

Here are some of the coolest 3D printed Gundam models and model kits you can print, assemble, and play with or display as you like.

Gundam EZ-8 Model

• Where to Download: Printables
• Designer: Gungriffonbr
• Price: Free

Originally from the 2008 Gundam vs. Gundam PC game, this 3D printed Gundam model is made to a 1:144 scale based on the metrics given in-universe, which is the same scale used for official Gunpla merchandise. It’s a highly detailed model that, if processed and painted to look like the example images, will look like it came right off a store shelf.

It’s not designed to be articulated or posable, which may be disappointing for those of you looking for more of an action figure than a model, but it’s good news for beginners out there.

The lack of moving joints makes both printing and assembly a lot easier because you won’t need to worry about fiddly hooks and connections, and can instead just focus on making this Gundam model look as cool as possible.

If, however, you’d like to make a posable 3D printed Gundam model, then you can try your hand at customizing these files by adding such joints, effectively using the Gundam STL files available as more of a base than a finished project.

3D Printed Gundam Aerial

• Where to Download: Cults3D
• Designer: LEACHIM_PALOYZ
• Price: $8.57

The Gundam Aerial is one of the most modern Gundam models around. Introduced in the ongoing 2022 series The Witch from Mercury, it’s a Gundam battle unit designed with a flight unit to allow seamless transition between ground- and air-based combat.

This 3D printed Gundam model is a faithful recreation of the recent addition. The simplicity of the design mimics classic mechs while also bringing a fresh look to the franchise. This is especially impressive when you consider that Mobile Suit Gundam is only 2 years younger than Star Wars!

If the Gundam Aerial isn’t to your liking, then you can also check out any of designer Leachim_Paloyz’s library, including another of my favorites, the Banshee Gundam from the serialized novel Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, and its 2010 OVA adaptation of the same name.

3D Printed Gundam X-Frame Armor

• Where to Download: Cults3D
• Designer: CHIZ-M
• Price: $9.13

The RX-78-2 Gundam was introduced to the series during the original run of Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, making it one of the oldest Gundam suits in the entire series. Designed to turn the tide of war in The Earth Federation’s favor, it inspired many 3D printing designers to make their own personal secret weapon.

This is where the X-Frame armor comes in. Inspired by the RX-78-2, it’s a unique 3D printed Gundam model boasting not only articulation, but also three different add-ons, including a shield, a beam saber, and a rifle.

It may be a tad costly, but it’s still a lot cheaper than official merchandise, and it’s a unique design to boot. Once you’re done, you’ll have an excellent fan-designed 3D printed Gunpla model that’s ready for play or display.

3D Printed Gundam ReZEL Transformed

• Where to Download: Cults3D
• Designer: LEACHIM_PALOYZ
• Price: Free

Fun as humanoid Gundam models are to print, build, and play with, an often overlooked feature of the mech suits is their occasional ability to transform. While not all Gundam models are able to do this, the Gundam ReZEL is one such transformable suit.

The name is short for Refined Zeta Escort Leader, which suits its polished look and expertly designed armor. While mainly used for deception via radio wave-disrupting balloons, the combat potential of the ReZEL’s transformed state is undeniable.

This 3D printed Gundam ReZEL model shows off this transformation into a tank-like vehicle with mounted gun included. It’s an excellent project for anyone who wants a Gundam that isn’t the standard human-shaped suits we know too well already.

3D Printed Gundam Weapons

Like Bleach’s Zangetsu or Trigun’s… well… Trigun, the mark of a good action anime is an arsenal that’s immediately recognizable to its fans. Like many anime franchises, the weaponry used in Mobile Suit Gundam are known to belong to the franchise at a glance.

The unique shapes and designs are ideal for collections or even adding onto Gundam models you may already own, and here are a few of my personal favorites.

Gundam Positron Blaster Gun

• Where to Download: Thingiverse
• Designer: T-san
• Price: Free

Early 2000s side-manga Gundam SEED Astray featured a host of new Gundam models, including the Astray Blue Frame. While already equipped with quite a few impressive armaments including everything from a beam sword to bazookas, there was nothing stopping this designer from going a step further.

The positron blaster gun is a 3D printed Gundam weapon made for the Astray Blue Frame, but could be made to fit any Gunpla model you’ve either purchased or printed.

The designer recommends printing this impressively large gun model hollow to avoid using too much filament, so make sure you alter the files accordingly if you want to go that way.

Gundam Model GN Bazooka

• Where to Download: Thingiverse
• Designer: roboto0101
• Price: Free

Speaking of toy firearms, the Gundam Model GN Bazooka is a streamlined and clean design that’s easy to print for display or as an addition to your Gundam model. Of all the 3D printed Gundam weapons out there, the GN bazooka is a fan favorite for many reasons.

As the main weapon of the intimidating GN-005 Gundam Virtue model, which dual-wielded the impressive arms, the GN bazooka was capable of destroying multiple Gundam suits at once, making it one of the most powerful handheld weapons in the franchise’s storied universe.

HG Gundam Sword Striker Pack

• Where to Download: Thingiverse
• Designer: somepersonsomewhere
• Price: Free

No matter how advanced a sci-fi civilization is, there always seems to be room for swords, and I certainly am not complaining. From the lightsabers of Star Wars fame to Rose Quartz’s sword in Steven Universe, even the most advanced weaponry can accommodate a classic in new and interesting ways.

The same is true in the Gundam universe, and one of the coolest examples is this HG Gundam sword striker pack. It’s a set of 3D printed Gundam swords that can be put together as a double-sided lance or wielded as a standard saber.

In any case, the free files are great for arming your 3D printed Gundam with something more up close and personal than blasters and shields.

3D Printed Gundam Busts

While articulated toys and cosplay items are all well and good, sometimes you want something a little bigger and a lot easier to make. 3D printed Gundam busts are a great way to add to your Gundam memorabilia collection in a noticeable and really fun way.

Gundam GM Sniper II Bust

• Where to Download: CGTrader
• Designer: glitchframeart
• Price: $3

We’re beginning or look into 3D printed Gundam bust models with the simplest one there is. This low-poly GM Sniper II bust can be made with any printer, making it ideal if you’re worried yours isn’t up to the task of realistic detailing often difficult to achieve with larger models.

That’s not to say this is an ugly Gundam Bust by any stretch, just that it will need a lot more care and painting to look as good as the more professional-quality models out there.

In any case, anyone who wants a 3D printed Gundam bust but doesn’t necessarily have access to particularly powerful printers will be happy to make and decorate this model, made famous from its debut in 1989’s War in the Pocket.

3D Printed RX-78-7 Gundam Bust

• Where to Download: CGTrader
• Designer: kgb08004
• Price: $10

One of the most work-in-progress Gundam models was the RX-78-7, which was built to be added to and customized with new weaponry and armor over time, making it one of the first fully evolvable Gundam suits in the series.

The head, shoulders, and engraved stand included in these files are an impressive recreation of this model, making it a highly detailed 3D printed Gundam Bust that looks great as part, or even the centerpiece, of any fan’s collection.

Ornamental Gundam Bust

• Where to Download: Cults3D
• Designer: ERIC3DEE
• Price: $4.99

By far the most detailed 3D printed Gundam bust out there is this ornamental model. Designed with the kind of detailing usually only achievable with resin printers, its FFXII Judge-style aesthetic puts an almost fantasy-medieval look to the sci-fi suit.

The high resolution and incredible detail aren’t feasible with most home FDM printers. So before you get too excited by this model, be sure your hardware is up to the task of something this intricate to avoid disappointment.

3D Printed Gundam Cosplay

Cosplay is a huge part of many people’s personal lives. Just as we loved to pretend we were Jedi and Dragon Ball characters as children, recapturing that magic as an adult with cosplay is a fun and rewarding experience sure to delight your inner child and help you express yourself.

I even recall making my own Gundam suit from cardboard boxes I stole from my mom’s garage as a kid when Gundam Wing was big. I was pretty pleased with myself marching down the stairs and only regret the three times I fell over while trying to show it off.

Of course, cosplay has come a long way since then, and 3D printing Gundam suits for cosplay is sure to reignite the kind of feeling child me got stomping around my mom’s living room in my cardboard suit.

Of course, there are far too many suit models out there for me to talk about every 3D printed Gundam cosplay file out there, so I’ll just name a few favorites to hopefully inspire you.

Gundam Helmet

• Where to Download: Cults3D
• Designer: UNKNOWN-COSPLAY
• Price: $18.15

This 3D printed Gundam helmet is modeled to look as generic as possible to encourage alteration and customization. While this will take a bit of tweaking, it means that you don’t have to stick to the aesthetic on offer, and instead use your own creativity to model it after your favorite Gundam suit or even make something entirely unique to you.

This customization is made even easier by the fact that the helmet is 3D printed in 9 separate parts, so you can alter any individual piece you need separately to fit with your desired outcome.

RX-78 3D Printed Gundam Mask

• Where to Download: Thingiverse
• Designer: Spazticus
• Price: Free

Of all the 3D printed Gundam masks out there, I found this on to be the most interesting. While initially designed as a cover for a COVID mask, it fits well as a cosplay piece too, or even works if you’re still wearing your mask out and about today.

This, perhaps incidentally, also pays homage to Japanese culture. As a collectivist culture, they prioritize the good of everyone over the good of an individual, with selfishness being even more taboo than it is in the west.

Because of this, they tend to wear facemasks when they’re feeling unwell as a way to protect others from their illness. This mask, even if used for cosplay, can be used to act as selflessly.

Wing Gundam Backpack

• Where to Download: CGTrader
• Designer: juliandanzer
• Price: $10.08

The Gundam Wing backpack is a piece of 3D printed Gundam armor that may be a little unwieldy, but looks insanely cool. They’re wearable and eye-catching without being so large that you’ll find yourself the bane of anime convention crowds.

They’re printed as joints, and so can be modeled to fold if you need them to, and they can be printed on even smaller printers as individual pieces.

Bonus: Linkin Park Reanimation Gundam

• Where to Download: Cults3D
• Designer: KAOX117
• Price: $10

Members of American rock sensation Linkin Park were no strangers to anime, as seen in their music video for Breaking The Habit. As a ‘90s kid, I have to admit I was obsessed with the band and had all their albums.

Their 2002 album Reanimation featured one of the coolest Gundam models I’ve ever seen on the cover, which has been faithfully recreated as a 3D printable model. It’s a great print for any fan of both Gundam and Linkin Park, and is sure to stand out amongst any Gundam or album collection.

It’s no Meteora or Hybrid Theory, in my opinion, but it’s still pretty darn cool.

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