Shy Gal’s Building Blog

Review of nanoblock Minivan NBH_142

April 3, 2025August 11, 2024shygal

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This post is a review of the nanoblock Minivan build. The Minivan is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

To me, this build looks like the classic Volkswagen vans. I really like how the build is shaped in the classic, familiar shape.

Number: NBH_142

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I bought this kit in an auction containing several kits that didn’t have boxes, so I don’t have the box for this kit.

The first couple steps of the build are creating the outside frame of the minivan. This step is fairly straightforward as long as you make sure to follow the arrows. I really like the details of the door handles sticking out slightly from the build.

The next steps are to create the windows. On the edge of the windows is a white slanted piece. However, in the kit, there are 2 types of white slanted pieces, and it is hard to tell when to use each piece. Other than that, adding the windows is fairly straightforward for a few layers.

The next step is adding the side view mirrors (unique to this vehicle build) and the roof.

The next few steps create the wheel wells. This also adds the lights on the minivan.

The final step is to attach the moveable wheels to the build.

Things I liked:

I really like it when the vehicle models move like this one

Things I didn’t like:

Since the windows are stacks of not interlocked bricks, if you don’t put the bricks down just so the windows can fall out

Review of nanoblock Sorakara-chan NBH_046

March 27, 2025August 11, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Sorakara-chan build. Sorakara-chan is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click Here for a list.

Sorakara-chan is the mascot from Tokyo Skytree.

Number: NBH_046

Difficulty Rating: 3

I bought this kit in an auction containing several kits that didn’t have boxes, so I don’t have the box for this kit.

This build is broken up into 3 sections. There is the head, body, and base.

The head is by far the most complicated part of the build. The first few layers go up fairly straightforwardly. After a few layers, you begin adding all the points to her star-shaped hair. A few steps create the back of her head which are a bit hard to follow. The rest of the star points are created by adding layers to the top of the head section.

The body is straightforward if you are careful to make sure you select the correct color. It goes up in simple layers however, each layer switches off between white and blue. This creates the pattern of Sorakara-chan’s dress.

The final section is the baseplate. You only need to add her feet and legs to the final build.

The final step is to connect all the sections. Centering the body section is a bit tricky because the body is even and the space for the legs is odd. The head is easy to attach.

Things I liked:

I really like her hair and how many angles are created with the nanoblock

Things I didn’t like:

I wish the base was a different color because it makes for a lot of blue

Review of nanoblock Daruma NBH_195

March 20, 2025August 11, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Daruma build. Daruma is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_195

Number of Pieces: 400

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

The Dauma doll begins with a layer of red bricks. I laid the base out on my nanoblock pad to keep everything lined up.

After a couple layers, the yellow stripes become visible. The layers trade around what exactly is in a layer so that one yellow brick remains visible while all the rest of the yellow is covered by red. There are some very neat tricks to keep just one corner of yellow visible.

After several layers of yellow and red, I began to build the face. The face is made up of black, orange, and skin-tone bricks. I like the addition of the orange to add some detail to the face. I also really like how nanoblock used all sorts of bricks to create curves in the face and the eyebrows.

The Daruma is then closed up to finish the build. The kit comes with several different kanji stickers, but since I’m not sure what any of them are, I chose not to put any on my doll.

The final step is to add the eyes. Normally, if you make a wish on the Daruma, you fill in one eye when you make the wish and the other eye when the wish comes true. I chose to put both eyes on my doll for the photos.

Things I liked:

I really like that this build is close to the size of the actual Daruma dolls I have seen

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t like how the directions look like the eye is attached using the center of the round brick when it actually attached using the one of the edge holes

Review of nanoblock Piano NBH_167

March 13, 2025August 11, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Piano build. The Piano is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_167

Number of Pieces: 210

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This was the first build that I have built that came with a nanobbit. I was surprised by how many pieces went into the nanobbit came in but it was very simple to put it together.

The build begins with creating the stage to place the piano on. It begins with a large maroon base plate. From there the outline of the stage is added in layers. Then the top stage is put into place. The final step is to add the attachment points for the bench and piano.

The next step is adding the piano bench, which is extremely straightforward.

The next step is to build the main body of the piano. It begins by building the outline in black. After building the outline you add the backboard of the piano and the keys. Then you build a wall of the piano and attach the joint of the ball joint so that you can attach the top. Connect the piano to the base.

The final step is to create a wall of black bricks with a pair of balls from ball joints that create the top of the piano. Once you connect it, the piano is finished

Things I liked:

I feel that the scale between the nanobbit and the piano is reasonable

Things I didn’t like:

I wish that the nanobbit was able to stand on the base plate with both feet

Review of nanoblock Tinkaton RS NBPM_R06

March 11, 2025January 24, 2025shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Tinkaton RS build. Tinkaton RS is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBPM_R06

Number of Pieces: 690

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I found this kit incredibly difficult because the colors on the printed instructions don’t match or come close to the actual brick color.

The first step is to build a small body. I was surprised that there were ball joints since I couldn’t see them on the box.

The next step is to build the main section of the head. This includes the eyes.

The next section is to build the bottom of the hair. It is built in 2 sections, left and right. They are supposed to be near mirror images of each other. I goofed up and missed a layer on one side, but I didn’t notice until I had attached the hair sections. I tried to separate the bricks but couldn’t get a gap so I just left the layer out.

The next step is to finish the top of the hair. This was fairly straightforward.

Now, it is time to build Tinkaton’s massive hammer.

The first step is to build the head of the hammer. The hardest part was figuring out what colors to use where because the colors are so different.

Then, it was time to build the handle. This was fairly straightforward, and I like how Tinkaton’s hands are added to hold the hammer.

The final step is to attach the hammer to Tinkaton.

Things I liked:

I feel like this build gets the essential things that make up Tinkaton

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t like how the instructions didn’t match the colors of the actual brick

Review of nanoblock Optical fiber LED+ Merlion NBH_158

March 6, 2025August 11, 2024shygal

Optical fiber LED+ Merlion build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Optical fiber LED+ Merlion build. Optical fiber LED+ Merlion is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_158

Country: Singapore

Number of Pieces: 300

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Optical fiber LED+ Merlion off build front view

The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore. I believe this build is the 8.6m tall statue at Merlion Park but there are several other statues around Singapore.

Optical fiber LED+ Merlion off build side view

This is a lit version of the nanoblock Merlion build number NBH_105. There is an optical fiber that directs the light from the NB-26 LED base plate.

The first step is to prepare the base of the fountain. The first step is to attach the blue plate making sure you end up with the holes lined up. Then you add the docks and the splashes in the water.

Optical fiber LED+ Merlion ok build front view

Most of this build is to create the actual Merlion. Overall the steps to build the Merlion are pretty straightforward. In a few cases, it is a bit tricky to tell where exactly to place the bricks depth-wise. Sadly once I had built several layers of my Merlion I noticed there were some gaps between layers. When I pushed tried to push the layer together, things would fall off instead of the build getting closer together.

The final step is to build the trees. They are very straightforward. Getting the taller trees to stand up straight was a bit tricky.

Optical fiber LED+ Merlion on build front 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I really like how the build looks when it is lit up
I like that when it is not lit up how it still looks like a normal fountain

Things I didn’t like:

When I noticed that there were gaps partway down, I couldn’t push them in place without the whole build collapsing

Review of nanoblock Ceruledge RS NBPM_R05

March 4, 2025January 24, 2025shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Ceruledge RS build. Ceruledge RS is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBPM_R05

Number of Pieces: 500

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Ceruledge is built in several small pieces that are all connected to each piece. Other than telling whether bricks were navy or black, each step was very straightforward.

Ceruledge was a bit more tricky than Armarouge because of the use of navy and black pieces and the fact that it is hard to tell the difference between the two colors in poor lighting.

The first step is to build the hips. These are only a few steps that are quickly completed.

The next step is to build is to build the 2 legs. There is one set of directions for each leg so that the legs are correctly mirrored.

The next step was to build the torso. It added the ball joints for the arms and the head connection.

The next step is to build the arms. I really like the use of clear bricks to make the blades. Once again, each arm has a set of directions to ensure things are correctly mirrored.

The next step is to build the stand. I really like how they gave Ceruledge a stand since there is no way it would be able to stand on its own.

The final step was to build the head. For some reason, I suddenly started having difficulty telling which blue to use based on the printed instructions. I was able to figure out which colors to use and was able to build the head.

Things I liked:

I really like that they gave you a stand so the model is able to stand up

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t like how it was hard to tell which shade of blue to use looking at the instructions, and not every step said which blue to use

Review of nanoblock Five-Storied Pagoda NBH_088

February 27, 2025August 11, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Five-Storied Pagoda build. Five-Storied Pagoda is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_088

Country: Japan

Number of Pieces: 320

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This kit is labeled as Bic Camera Limited. Bic Camera is a shop in Japan, so I’m guessing the set was only available there.

The Pagoda is built on a clear base and has clear blocks throughout it, which means that if the build is put on one of the LED plates, the entire pagoda will light up.

The build begins by laying the base layer of bricks on the clear 20×20 base. This includes the walls and the base of the pagoda. Over the next few steps, the wall is built, and the larger base story of the pagoda is added.

While building the base story of the pagoda, there are some clear green bricks added. In the instructions, they appear to be clear kiwi green instead of the dark green bricks that were provided. I was very confused with this instruction, and it took me a while to figure out to use the dark green.

After building the base story, the 4 additional stories are all identical and added using large steps showing about 5 layers of bricks in one step. Even though there are lots of layers, there is a lot of space, and the printed arrows are clear, so the instructions are easy to follow.

After building all 5 layers, the roof and roof decoration are added. Both are very straightforward.

This kit did come with 3 nanoids that I chose to not include because I’m not sure if they are in scale with the building. A lot of time, nanoids are not to scale.

Things I liked:

I like the use of the clear blocks so that the pagoda can be lit

Things I didn’t like:

I wish the color in the instructions for the clear green had been closer to the actual brick color

Review of nanoblock Armarouge RS NBPM_R04

February 25, 2025January 24, 2025shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Armarouge RS build. Armarouge RS is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBPM_R04

Number of Pieces: 600

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

The first step is to build the center body. I built it on my nanoblock pad. It began by laying the base out on my nanoblock pad. It went up very straightforwardly in layers.

The next step is to build the legs. There is an independent direction for each leg. I built each on my nanoblock pad. The directions for each leg are slightly different to get the correct piece to show in the upper leg section.

The next step is to build the hands and arms. There are 2 sets of directions, one for each arm. They are mirrored so that the hands appear correctly.

The next step is to build the shoulder guards. These are straightforward. I like how the arms are poseable even though such large guards are on the shoulders.

I was super excited to see that there was a stand for this kit. Based on how the legs are built, it would be super hard to get the build to stand on its own. The stand was very straightforward to build and attach.

The hardest part of this build was putting the head together. After building the base of the head, it goes up in layers. As I was placing bricks, the placement seemed kinda random, so I had to trust the process. After building the front of the head, I built the flame coming off the back of the head.

Things I liked:

I really like that the build comes with a stand because it was clear that the build wouldn’t stand on its own

Things I didn’t like:

Surprisingly, I had difficulty making the head, so I had to remove and redo several layers. I’m still not sure that the head is 100% right

Review of nanoblock Shigezo NBH_120

February 20, 2025August 11, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Shigezo build. Shigezo is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_120

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I bought this kit used, knowing I would at least get the instructions. I ended up buying a second set in order to get the bricks I was missing since I couldn’t buy them individually. Sadly, however, the white has become yellow with age. The discolored bricks may be visible in my photographs.

Shigezo was a popular entertainer who is/was active in Yoshimoto Shinkigeki. Yoshimoto Shinkigeki is a variety show in Osaka.

This kit has 3 sections. There is the head, the body, and the feet.

The head begins with the layer that has his teeth, face, and hair. I was able to lay this layer out on my nanoblock pad which was nice so that the teeth couldn’t roll away. The head goes up in fairly straightforward layers building the on the face and hair in each layer. After building the top of the head, I flipped the head over and added the chin area. Adding the chin was difficult because it was upside down, so I was guessing a bit as to which bricks to use.

At no point while I was building the body was I really positive about what I was doing. I began the build by laying the base layer of bricks on my nanoblock pad. I added each layer as instructed, even though each step seemed random at the time. In the end, I ended up with a completed body section that appears to be holding a sword.

The feet are very straightforward. It is just a few layers of bricks connected to the base.

The last step is to combine the 3 sections into 1 complete piece.

Things I liked:

I actually really like how the finished model looks, especially the body. It looks complete with a lot of little details, such as how the fabric would flow

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t enjoy building upside down. Normally, I can figure out where things are connected, but this time, I had a really hard time