Author: shygal

Review of nanoblock Vaporeon NBPM_020

shygal
Vaporeon build and packaging

This post is a review of the nanoblock Vaporeon build. Vaporeon is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Vaporeon
  • Japanese: Showers

Number: NBPM_020

Number of Pieces: 140

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Vaporeon 3/4 front view

As of this posting, nanoblock has released kits for all 9 eeveelutions. The builds have gotten more detailed as time has passed, so the first 3 builds are a bit simpler. I find that all the kits are recognizable for the pokemon they are supposed to be.

The build is relatively simple. It is basically building up a blue rectangle with white details until you get the head. The fins for the head are a bit finicky and challenging to get lined up.

Vaporeon 3/4 back view

Things I liked:

  • The detail of the fins and how it adds details to the build

Things I didn’t like:

  • Sort of a retangle with stubby legs

Link to order: Amazon

Review of LEGO BrickHeadz Donald Duck 40377

shygal
Donald Duck build with box

This post is a review of the LEGO Donald Duck build. Donald Duck is part of the LEGO BrickHeadz series.

Number: 40377

BrickHeadz Number: 101

Number of Pieces: 90

Difficulty Rating: 10+

Release Year: 2020

Retired as of Publishing: No

Donald Duck front view

Donald Duck is a BrickHeadz in the Disney Mickey Mouse and friends line. He has been around since 1934. He is generally shown as being in a relationship with Daisy Duck.

Unlike many BrickHeadz, Donald does not start with a square base. He begins with attaching the tail and adding on L-shaped pieces. You then expand to a square and build from there. Donald has printed bricks to create the sailor’s top. Once you build the shirt, You start an average build with the typical core for the head. The head is simple, with the final detail being the classic sailor hat. The hat is a bit of a letdown because it is super blocky compared to the fluidity the hat has typically.

Donald Duck detail of back print brick
Donald Duck detail of front printed brick

Overall I really like the Donald Duck build. I really like the detail that the printed block gives to the build. I just wish that the hat didn’t have the cheese wedge because it makes the hat look a little odd.

Donald Duck 3/4 front view

Things I liked:

  • The detail in the printed LEGO bricks

Things I didn’t like:

  • His hat is a little backwards lumpy

Link to order: LEGO

Review of nanoblock Monotone Squirtle NBPM_017

shygal
Monotone Squirtle build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Monotone Squirtle build. Monotone Squirtle is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Monotone Squirtle
  • Japanese: Zenigame Monotone

Number: NBPM_017 

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Monotone Squirtle front view

Monotone Squirtle is a version of the Pokemon that uses greyscale instead of various colors to create the build. Since the build is identical to that of the original, I’m going to direct you there for a review of the building process. I’m only going to review the final build of the Monotone Squirtle build here. For more information about the monotone collection check out this post.

Overall the build is primarily light grey. The stomach is white, while the shell is dark grey with a regular grey outline. Overall, the Pokemon is still super recognizable and looks like it could have come from the original Gameboy games. I really liked the monotone line and wish nanoblock would make more.

A surprise is that the 4 monotone starters (this build along with the builds for Pikachu, Charmander, and Bulbasaur) all come with a few extra bricks to make a Monotone Mew. This build comes with:

  • 20 1X3 light grey
  • 8 1×4 light grey
  • 9 2×3 light grey
Monotone Squirtle back 3/4 view

Things I liked:

  • I like how the greyscale turns out

Review of LEGO BrickHeadz Road Runner & Wile E Coyote 40559

shygal

This post is a review of the LEGO BrickHeadz Road Runner & Wile E Coyote build. Road Runner & Wile E Coyote are part of the LEGO BrickHeadz series.

Number: 40559

BrickHeadz Number: 161 & 162

Number of Pieces: 205

Difficulty Rating: 10+

Release Year: 2022

Retired as of Publishing: No

Road Runner & Wile E Coyote were two of my favorite cartoon characters growing up. I loved watching all the plans that Wile came up with to try and catch the Road Runner.

I was excited that the kit came with 2 instruction manuals and 2 bags, one with everything for each character. I was super excited when I was looking at the photos to make the builds.

Road Runner

The Road Runner is like no BrickHeadz build I have ever done. This is because its head is so narrow, and there aren’t stacked bricks making up the outside of the body like a tower. The build starts by making a body that is a rectangle that is just over a 2 height square. The head is a bit more tricky, and I had to restart it a couple times to get everything lined up. Overall, I enjoyed the build and am super happy with the finished product.

Wile E. Coyote

I really liked the build for Wile. While it starts on a square base like most BrickHeadz, it didn’t stay that way for long. While the body is a typical square with studs to hold the arm, the head is more unusual. The head has external studs of various heights that allow there to be more variation and curves in the face. I really like the nose and how it appears curved, which is unusual for the BrickHeadz line. I was also surprised to see that Wile has a tail because you can’t see it in any of the photos.

Things I liked:

  • Wile E. Coyote’s tail was an unexpected surprise

Things I didn’t like:

  • Putting together Road Runner’s head

Link to order: LEGO

Review of nanoblock Monotone Bulbasaur NBPM_016

shygal
Monotone Bulbasaur build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Monotone Bulbasaur build. Monotone Bulbasaur is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Monotone Bulbasaur
  • Japanese: Fushigidane Monotone

Number: NBPM_016 

Number of Pieces: 140

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Monotone Bulbasaur front view

Monotone Bulbasaur is a version of the Pokemon that uses greyscale instead of various colors to create the build. Since the build is identical to that of the original, I’m going to direct you there for a review of the building process. I’m only going to review the final build of the Monotone Bulbasaur build here. For more information about the monotone collection click here.

Overall the build is primarily the middle level of grey. The details for the spots are done in dark grey, and the blub is done in light grey. Overall, the Pokemon is still super recognizable and looks like it could have come from the original Gameboy games. I really liked the monotone line and wish nanoblock would make more.

A surprise is that the 4 monotone starters (this build along with builds for Pikachu, Charmander, and Squirtle) all come with a few extra bricks to make a Monotone Mew. This build comes with:

  • 5 1X1 light grey
  • 3 2×2 light grey
  • 4 L-Shape light grey
  • 5 T-Shape light grey
Monotone Bulbasaur side view

Things I liked:

  • I like how the greyscale turns out

Review of nanoblock Mimic

shygal
Mimic with box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Mimic build. Mimic is part of the nanoblock Dragon Quest collection. Wondering what else is part of the Dragon Quest Collection? Click Here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Mimic Front View

Mimics are a monster that appears in most Square Enix games. Unlike most monsters in these games where you have random encounters, Mimics appear to be treasure chests on the map. When you open the chest, instead of getting treasure, you enter a battle with a monster that looks like a treasure chest.

The Mimic build uses turquoise and purple, which are 2 colors you don’t see very much. The build is split into 2 parts: the chest’s top and bottom. The base is pretty solid, and a standard build. I really like the details of the eyes and teeth on the top section of the bottom. The top is building a stretched pyramid and straightforward. The 2 pieces are held together with a clear ball joint so you can position the lid exactly where you want it.

Mimic 3/4 front view

Things I liked:

  • How the colors look

Review of nanoblock Monotone Charmander NBPM_015

shygal
Monotone Charmander build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Monotone Charmander build. Monotone Charmander is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Names:

  • English: Monotone Charmander
  • Japanese: Hitokage Monotone

Number: NBPM_0175

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Monotone Charmander front 3/4 view

Monotone Charmander is a version of the Pokemon that uses greyscale instead of various colors to create the build. Since the build is identical to that of the original, I’m going to direct you there for a review of the building process. I’m only going to review the final build of the Monotone Charmander build here. For more information about the Monotone line please check out this post.

Overall the build is primarily grey. The creature has a white stomach. I still really like the detail in the tail, which uses white and dark grey to create the variation in the flames. Overall, the Pokemon is still super recognizable and looks like it could have come from the original Gameboy games. I really liked the monotone line and wish nanoblock would make more.

A surprise is that the 4 monotone starters (this build along there are builds for Pikachu, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur) all come with a few extra bricks to make a Monotone Mew. This build comes with:

  • 2 1X1 light grey
  • 2 1×2 dark grey
  • 6 1×2 clear
Monotone Charmander back 3/4 view

Things I liked:

  • I like how the grayscale turns out

Review LEGO Easter Rabbits Display 40523

shygal
Easter Rabbit build and box

This post is a review of the LEGO Easter Rabbits Display build.

Number: 40523

Number of Pieces: 288

Difficulty Rating: 8+

Release Year: 2022

Retired as of Publishing: No

This LEGO kit comes with 2 instruction manuals. One has the instructions for the Rabbits, and the other has the instructions. I personally wish that the bunnies were split up so that I could split building the bunnies with my husband. I think that the number of steps of the base and Rabbits requires them to be broken up the way they are.

White Rabbit with 3/4 front view

Instruction book 1 is the instructions for the bunnies. Overall the rabbits are pretty static, having only ears that move. The builds are very straightforward, with excellent directions to create each rabbit.

Brown Rabbit with 3/4 font view

Instruction book 2 is to build the base that the bunnies sit on. It creates a little grass hill with various egg and flower decorations. I found the base more challenging to make than the bunnies because more pieces were added by step, so it was easy to miss a part here or there. There are two studs in the light green grass to place the bunnies. It limits where you can place them, but I think it makes a nice diorama.

Base for Rabbits to sit on

Things I liked:

  • I think the bunnies are super cute

Things I didn’t like:

  • I wish the Bunnies had been split between the manuals

Link to buy: LEGO

nanoblock Monotone Pokemon Mini Collection

shygal
Collection of monotone pokemon builds

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pokemon nanoblock released a collection of monotone pokemon. There are a total of 4 builds that come in normal box kits, Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Pikachu. These sets were only released in Japan so the kits have Japanese names, not English names. These kits are numbered in the main nanoblock Pokemon (NBPM) line. The steps to build each of these kits are identical to the original kits 1-4 but used grey tones instead of colored bricks.

If you collect all four sets, you will get the codes needed to access the pattern for a monotone Mew. The four kits also come with spare blocks so that you can build a Mew. I’ve written reviews comparing the colored build to the grayscale builds. Here are links to the monotone reviews.

Kit NumberPokemon
NBPM_014Monotone Pikachu
NBPM_015Monotone Charmander
NBPM_016Monotone Bulbasaur
NBPM_017Monotone Squirtle
Monotone Mew

Information about these builds came come bulbapedia.

Review of nanoblock Monotone Pikachu NBPM_014

shygal
Monotone Pikachu build with box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Monotone Pikachu build. Monotone Pikachu is part of the nanoblock Pokemon collection. Wondering what else is part of the Pokemon Collection? Click Here for a list.

Number: NBPM_014 

Number of Pieces: 150

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Monotone Pikachu build front View

Monotone Pikachu is a version of the Pokemon that uses greyscale instead of various colors to create the figure. Since the build is identical to that of the original colored build, I’m going to direct you there for a review of the building process. I’m only going to review the final build of the Monotone Pikachu build here. For more information about the monotone collection please click here.

Overall the build is primarily light grey. The back stripes are normal grey, and its cheeks are dark grey. I like he still has all of his details even though everything is grayscale. Overall, Pikachu is still super recognizable and looks like it could have come from the original Gameboy games. I really liked the monotone line and wish nanoblock would make more.

A surprise is that the 4 monotone starters (this build along there are builds for Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur) all come with a few extra bricks to make a Monotone Mew. This build comes with:

  • 16 1X3 light grey
  • 6 2×6 light grey
  • 2 2×3 clear
Monotone Pikachu back 3/4 view

Things I liked:

  • I like how the grayscale turns out