Category: nanoblock Review - Page 18 - Shy Gal's Building Blog

Review of nanoblock Slowpoke NBPM_065

August 30, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Slowpoke
Japanese: Yadon

Number: NBPM_065

Number of Pieces: 140

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Slowpoke is a Pokemon that started in Generation 1 as a water/psychic-type. In Kanto and all the regions until generation 8, Slowpoke is a pink pokemon with a white tail. Unlike a lot of other Pokemon, it evolves into 2 different forms. In generation 8 in the downloadable content, Slowpoke is just a psychic-type with a yellow tail and more yellow on its head. It still has the same two evolutions.

The build begins by building 2 separate base pieces and connecting them together. You then build the rest of the Pokemon up from the edges and up and around. Once you close up the top of the Pokemon, you attach the feet. Then you have a choice to make, and you going to make the Kanto variant with more pink and white or the Galar variant with yellow. Once you pick your build, you finish off the head and attach the tail to complete the build.

I was super excited that you got to pick which variant you wanted to build. I really like how both of the Slowpoke look, so I bought 2 kits to have one of each. I think both builds are recognizable and enjoyable.

Things I liked:

That there are 2 forms in 1 package

Review of nanoblock Bob

August 25, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Bob build. Bob is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Bob is of the several minions that have jobs. He has different color eyes and is holding a one-eyed teddy bear.

The build begins with a base with several colors to create the bear, Bob’s hands, and body.

You build up layer by layer from the base layer, forming the bear and Bob. I like how they make various depths with an inset mouth and goggles that stick out.

The layers continue up, and the build becomes more yellow. Once you build the yellow layer, you make the strap for the goggles. Then you layer on the yellow to finish the minion’s head.

Next, you flip over the build and add a little more detail to the bear and Bob’s legs.

The final step is to start building on the base. First, you add the feet of both the minion and the bear. Next, you add the legs. The final step is to add the minion body onto the legs.

Things I liked:

The eye details on both the minion and the bear

Review of nanoblock Kubfu NBPM_076

August 23, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Kubfu
Japanese: Dakuma

Number: NBPM_076

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Kubfu is a reasonably new bear Pokemon. It was introduced in the DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield. Kubfu starts as a shy Pokemon, but as you bond with the bear, it becomes stronger, and eventually, you choose how it will evolve.

You begin the build by starting with the head. You start with a base layer and build up. There are many places where you have studs hanging off and not layered. In general, however, the studs stuck off the side are nailed down with the layer above, so the bricks aren’t likely to fall off. Kubfu has a white headband that contrasts against the grey of the main body. You add the ends of the headband onto the back of the head as the final step of the headband. Next, you build the body of Kubfu. You build the body up in layers with a regular straightforward build. Finally, you add the legs by making a couple stacks of bricks.

Overall I really liked the build. I found a reasonable detail between the cream snout and white head sash. I was a little worried that the bear wouldn’t be able to stand up because his paws were a little narrow. I was pleasantly surprised that the model was able to stand up once the build was complete and wasn’t tippy at all.

Things I liked:

The details in the back of the bear’s head

Review of nanoblock Cookie Monster

August 18, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Cookie Monster build. Cookie Monster is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Cookie Monster is one of the many puppets on Sesame Street. He is a blue monster that loves to eat cookies.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

This build is broken into 2 parts, the head, and the body. The body starts with a 10×10 green base. You then add the feet and begin to build the body. Since you have the feet and the legs added, you add a base layer of the body. You then build up in layers to create the entire body. You add an adorable cookie into his left hand.

Once you have completed all the body layers, it’s time to build Cookie’s head. The head starts with a base layer of bricks. You then build up the layers for the head. A super lovely detail is that Cookie Monster’s mouth is inset to look like the shadowing is appropriate. You continue to add layers until you close up the head. You add the eyes. They are offset, so they look like googly eyes.

Things I liked:

The detail of holding a cookie
The googly eyes

Review of nanoblock Galar Ponyta NBPM_067

August 16, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_067

Number of Pieces: 200

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Ponyta is a pokemon that was initially introduced in generation 1. In generation 1, it is a fire-type Pokemon. However, this isn’t the build for the generation 1 Pokemon; this build is for the generation 8 psychic-type Ponyta. The psychic type is a unicorn with fluffy pink and turquoise hair.

The build is slightly different because many smaller chunks need to be built and added on. First, you start with the usual base, and from the second step, you create exterior pieces connected to the base. Then you build the majority of the tail and attach it. Then you build up the rest of the body in regular layers.

Next, it’s time to make the head by layering from the bottom of the head to the top. Next, you flip the build over and add details for the mane and tail. Finally, you add the legs, complete with details.

Overall I think that this is an adorable build. I really like the colors they picked and how the mane and tail look soft and changing color. There were a lot of bits where if you don’t get things just so, then the build wouldn’t line up.

Things I liked:

The colors that were used for this build

Review of nanoblock Big Bird

August 11, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Big Bird build. Big Bird is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 110

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Big Bird is one of the many puppets from Sesame Street. He is a 6-year-old bird who has been a cast member for decades. He is most known for his childlike wonder and wanting to learn about everything.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

This build comprises 2 significant parts, the head, and the body. Big Bird comes on with a green 10×10 base. You first add legs to the base. I appreciate the fact that they kept the stripes on the legs. After you build the legs, you make the base for the body. Next, you add the rest of the body, including the wings, in layers to create the body.

Then it is time to build the head. For the head, you begin with the base and add layers. You will change from yellow to add the eyes and eyelids. After several layers, you will add the feathers at the top of Big Bird’s head.

Things I liked:

The color details on the legs and eyelids

Review of nanoblock Galar Farfetch’d NBPM_066

August 9, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Farfetch’d
Japanese: Kamonagi

Number: NBPM_066

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Farfetch’d is a pokemon that looks like a little brown duck. It is known to always to be carrying a leek and was introduced in generation 1. Farfetch’d is one of the few Pokemon to have multiple forms turned into nanoblock. This review is for the Galar variant of Farfetch’d, a Fighting-type and introduced in generation 8. To read my review of the generation 1, Farfetch’d click here.

I think that getting between steps 1 and 2 may be the trickiest part of the entire build. You start with a base of 2 bricks and then add 8 bricks in step two. Since you can’t really see how the second layer connects, making sure everything is lined up can be tricky. After completing step 2, the build is very straightforward, building up layers like a nor nanoblocks build. You’ll want to be careful with the wing holding the leek as you create the body because there is more detail on that side. Continue building up layers until you close up the ducks head. Once you have completed the duck, you need to add the detail to the top of the leek. The leek is straightforward and will sit on the table, not hanging.

Overall I enjoyed the Farfetch’d build. The darker brown is too dark for the actual Pokemon, but I do like the color.

Things I liked:

The giant leek

Things I didn’t like:

I had some difficulties getting the details of the leek to line up

Link to order:

Review of nanoblock Moppy

August 4, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Moppy build. Moppy is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Moppy is a muppet that was created especially for Universal Studios Japan. He is a light pink furry muppet with dark pink spots and what appears to be pink hair. For more information about this little-known muppet, check out Muppet Wiki.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay. I mainly got this set to have a complete set for Sesame Street Universal Studios Japan.

Moppy is broken up into 3 different builds. There is the head, body, and feet on a base. This build has several random dark pink spots representing the dark pink spots Moppy has. The feet are the most straightforward feature, 3 layers of each foot on a 10×10 base.

The second build for this muppet is the body. You start with a base layer of bricks and build up the body in layers. There is a pair of 2×2 bricks that create a tail puff. The top of the body is a little tricky at the top layers. This is because of the arms hanging off the body that you add.

The final part you get to build is the head. The head begins with a base layer and builds up to create a sphere. In addition to the pink spots, you add the eyes, nose, and pink hair.

Things I liked:

The detail of adding the tail puff

Things I didn’t like:

Doesn’t really capture the muppet’s cuteness

Review of nanoblock Farfetch’d NBPM_013

August 2, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Farfetch’d
Japanese: Kamonegi

Number: NBPM_013

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Farfetch’d is a pokemon that looks like a little brown duck. It is known to always to be carrying a leek and was introduced in generation 1. Farfetch’d is one of the few pokemon to have multiple forms turned into nanoblock. This review is for the original normal/flying introduced in gen 1, not the fighting type from gen 8.

Farfetch’d like many pokemon builds; there are 2 builds the head and the body.

For the head, it is generally pretty straightforward; however, getting the second layer attached can be a bit tricky. There is a 360-degree overhang between the layers which means there isn’t a place to line up the layer. Other than the top layer, the rest of the head is simple.

Like the head, the base of the body is also tricky. Again, the bottom layer is much smaller than the second layer. However, the directions are very clear, so it is easy to know things are right. Once you get the bottom couple of layers built, it is a fairly straightforward build.

Overall I really enjoyed the build and think the final model is cute. I agree that it should be a level 3 build even though the final product looks super simple.

Things I liked:

I think his leek is cute

Things I didn’t like:

The first direction for the head is hard to read and line up

Review of Nanoblock Ernie

July 28, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Ernie build. Ernie is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 110

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Ernie is one of the muppets that live on Sesame Street. He lives with Bert and constantly annoys him. Ernie is always connected with rubber ducks because of his friend Rubber Ducky.

This set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

This nanoblock build is broken into 2 parts, the head, and the body. The body begins by building the white sneakers on a 10×10 base. Next, you build up the blue pants by adding layers of bricks. Then you add the stripy shirt with a yellow shirt collar. You also add the arms, which expands the stripes and the hands.

Then it is time to build the head. You begin with a base layer of bricks. Next, you add on more layers of bricks. By adding these bricks, you will create the inset mouth. Continue adding layers until you close up the head. Once you close the head, the final step is to add Ernie’s messy hair.

Things I liked:

The messy hair detail
The fact they kept his striped shirt