Category: nanoblock Review - Page 24 - Shy Gal's Building Blog

Review of nanoblock Slime L

May 5, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Slime L build. Slime L 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: 240

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Slimes are the quintessential monster family in the Dragon Quest games. There is a whole family of slimes, but the first one you always run into is the classic blue form. nanoblock has two slime models, a normal one in scale with the rest of the slimes and the large model.

I got this kit before I got my nanoblock pad, so I had a lot of trouble getting the entire base layer lined up. This was also my first build made of primarily clear bricks because clear bricks have a bit more flex, I had to adjust. The large slime build takes several steps to build the entire base. The steps to build the base also connect the base bricks, so when you are done, you are ready to build up the height of the build. Once you are building the height, the build is very straightforward.

Overall I really like the large Slime. I think it is highly recognizable as the monster it’s supposed to be. I think the solid bricks that make up the slime face stick out a lot with the clear body.

Things I liked:

It’s highly recognizable

Things I didn’t like:

How the few solid brick looks surrounded by all the clear

Review of nanoblock Vaporeon NBPM_020

May 3, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

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.

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 nanoblock Monotone Squirtle NBPM_017

April 26, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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 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

Things I liked:

I like how the greyscale turns out

Review of nanoblock Monotone Bulbasaur NBPM_016

April 19, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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 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

Things I liked:

I like how the greyscale turns out

Review of nanoblock Mimic

April 14, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

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.

Things I liked:

How the colors look

Review of nanoblock Monotone Charmander NBPM_015

April 12, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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 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

Things I liked:

I like how the grayscale turns out

Review of nanoblock Monotone Pikachu NBPM_014

April 5, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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 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

Things I liked:

I like how the grayscale turns out

Review of nanoblock Moltres NBPM_047

March 31, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Moltres
Japanese: Fire

Number: NBPM_047

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Moltres is one of the legendary Pokemon from generation 1. It has been available in some form in most of the later generations. This build is for the Kanto region bird; there is no build for the Galar region Moltres. The other legendary birds are Zapdos and Articuno.

The build comprises 4 sections the body, the head, and the wings that mirror each other. In general, the builds are pretty straightforward as long as you can tell what color you need. In fact, telling which color was the most challenging part because the directions are similar in the gold, orange, and transparent red. Like Zapdos, Moltres is floating on a stand and is pretty stable.

Things I liked:

Use of transparent block in the whole build

Things I didn’t like:

The colors are super close to the bricks but it is a little hard to tell in the directions

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Articuno NBPM_048

March 28, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Articuno
Japanese: Freezer

Number: NBPM_048

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Articuno is one of the legendary Pokemon from generation 1. It has been available in some form in most of the later generations. This build is for the Kanto region bird; there is no build for the Galar region Articuno. Articuno is an ice-type bird that is known for having a flowing tail.

This nanoblock build is made of 4 parts, the body and head combination, 2 wings, and the tail. The head body combo is a reasonably usual build. Once you start building out where the wings attach, it gets a bit more complicated. The wings themselves were simple to build but connecting them was challenging.

Then the tail, I’m not sure that I ever got the tail right. Unlike nanoblock directions, I had a lot of difficulties reading the directions. After trying to create the tail, I’m not sure if it’s supposed to rest on the table along with the base or not. It never looked right as you can see in the photo below. The build ended up constantly tipping over, so I needed to put it on a base plate.

Overall until I got to the tail, I enjoyed building Articuno. Once I got to building the tail, I got frustrated and had difficulty lining everything up.

Things I liked:

It looks like the pokemon

Things I didn’t like:

The fact it was tippy no matter how I attached the tail
Hard to get the tail to attach, I don’t think I’ve gotten it right yet

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Zapdos NBPM_046

March 25, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Zapdos
Japanese: Thunder

Number: NBPM_046

Number of Pieces: 240

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

Zapdos is one of the legendary Pokemon from generation 1. It has been available in some form in most of the later generations. This build is for the Kanto region Zapdos, there is no build for the Galar region Zapdos.

The build is made up of 4 major parts along with the small body. The large parts are the head, 2 wings that are mirrored, and the tail. The body is just a basic cube that has open studs to attach the other body pieces. The head is a pretty simple build. The first real challenge I had was the wings because they don’t have a real base to have them stable so instead of using my pad I had to balance the wings on my hand. The tail is tricky as well because there are lots of chains where things are being held on by one stud.

Overall I really enjoyed the build. I think it appears way more impressive than the work that goes into it.

Things I liked:

The final nanoblock model looks cool

Things I didn’t like:

The tail was tricky to attach without it breaking

Link to order: Amazon