Shy Gal’s Building Blog - Page 16 - Your reference for LEGO and nanoblock builds

Review of nanoblock 2022 Christmas Tree NBC_369

November 19, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. This commission allows me to give you more information about brick builds by enabling me to buy more sets. See my full disclosure here .

This post is a review of the nanoblock Christmas Tree build. Christmas Tree is part of the nanoblock Pokemon Mini Collection. Wondering what else is part of the Mini Collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBC_369

Number of Pieces: 200

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

This kit was much trickier to put together than I expected. This was because so many bricks were hanging from a single brick. There are also a lot of places where things are at angles which is unusual for nanoblock.

The first step is to build the tree stand. The stand is a simple 3 layers in brown and tan.

The tree builds up in a pattern. First, some branches shoot out of the tree. The branches can take 1 or more steps in the directions. Then there are a few layers of bricks that create a trunk.

Adding the branches was a bit tricky. There are 2 reasons for this. First, the branch is added to a single stud and hangs off. This can be tricky because the instructions don’t want any of the branches to be square. Second, a lot of branches also have the white ribbon that goes around the tree. The ribbon is tricky because you need to ensure it is on the correct side so it can flow properly.

The tree repeats the pattern repeats 4 times, with the branches getting smaller with each repeat.

The opening at the top of the tree is closed up. The tree is topped with a clear yellow glitter star. The star is super straightforward.

In addition to the Christmas tree, there is also a little wreath. When I built the wreath, I curled it backward, so I had to flip all the green bricks so it was properly round. The final step is to add decorative details to the wreath.

Things I liked:

It was a nice challenge to build and get things to flow properly

Things I didn’t like:

The wreath. I don’t feel like it added much to the build, and I feel the directions for how to make it aren’t super clear

Review of nanoblock Nezuko Kamado NBCC_089

November 17, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBCC_089

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Nezuko Kamado is the younger sister of the main protagonist Tanjiro Kamado in the Demon Slayer Anime. For more information about her, check out the fandom wiki page. For more information about the nanoblock builds, check out my collections page for links to other reviews.

This nanoblock build is split into 2 parts. There is the head and the body.

This head is lined up straight, so it is an easy base. Then you build the head in layers like a normal nanoblock build. As you build the head, you will add the details of the eyes and her hair decoration. Once you have finished the head, flip it over and add a couple more layers. To finish up the head by adding the mouthpiece and the strands of differently colored hair.

Next, you build the body. You begin the body by creating a base layer of bricks. You then build the body from the base layer up to create Nezuko’s brown and pink kimono. Once you build from the base up, flip the body over and add a couple more layers, creating the back of the kimono. The last step is to build and attach her legs.

The final step of the build is to attach the head to the body.

Things I liked:

The detail of adding the strands of differently colored hair that hang down. It’s nice because it gives the illusion of longer hair.

Things I didn’t like:

I’m not a fan of builds that require building upside down, and this build has quite a bit of upside-down building.

Review of nanoblock Totodile NBPM_031

November 15, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Totodile
Japanese: Waninoko

Number: NBPM_031

Number of Pieces: 150

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Totodile is the water starter from generation 2. It is light blue with orange spikes going down his back.

Overall the build is an average build from a solid base. There are a lot of areas with different colors, such as dark red for the eyes and dark grey to make his nostrils. The most challenging part I had was getting the fangs to correctly line up because it is just a 1×1 brick hanging off a 2×3 brick.

Totodile is very recognizable as the little water dragon he is. He does have an excellent line of red going down his back which helps to make it clear which Pokemon you are looking at. I notice his eyes seem to be huge compared to the rest of the Pokemon.

Things I liked:

How the spikes ended up looking

Things I didn’t like:

Eyes seem super large compared to the rest of the nanoblock pokemon

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Tanjiro Kamado NBCC_088

November 10, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBCC_088

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Tanjiro Kamado is the protagonist in the Demon Slayer Anime. For more information about him, check out the fandom wiki page. For more information about the nanoblock builds, check out my collections page for links to other reviews.

This nanoblock build is split into 2 parts. There is the head and the body.

Unlike some heads, this head is lined up straight, so it has a simple base that can be built on the pad. Then you build the head in layers like a normal nanoblock build. As you build the head, you will add the eyes and scar details. When you get to the details in the hair, I had a couple bricks that didn’t want to stay in place. Once you have finished up the head, you add the details of the head fringe and the earrings.

Next, you build the body. First, you build the edges of the top, which is basically a bar of colors. You build the bar up until you add the arms and the rest of the body. Then you add the hips and the legs. There is a clear brick to keep the build from tipping over.

The final steps of the build are to attach the head to the body and to build and attach the sword.

Things I liked:

The detail of the scar added to the head

Things I didn’t like:

For some reason, the hair bricks didn’t seem to fit as tight as normal

nanoblock Demon Slayer Collection

November 9, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting my reviews of the nanoblock builds for Demon Slayer characters.

The Demon Slayer builds are part of the NBCC line, with each build representing a different character from the Manga/Anime. For those who don’t know, the anime’s basic plot is that a young boy tries to become a demon slayer after his family is murdered and his sister is turned into a demon. It is an extremely popular series in both manga and anime forms. For more of an introduction, I recommend reading the Wikipedia page.

Set Number	Character Name.
NBCC_088	Tanjiro Kamado
NBCC_089	Nezuko Kamado
NBCC_090	Zenitsu Agatsuma
NBCC_091	Inosuke Hashibira
NBCC_092	Giyu Tomioka
NBCC_093	Shinobu Kocho
NBCC_094	Kyojuro Rengoku
NBCC_110	Tengen Uzui
NBCC_111	Muichiro Tokito
NBCC_112	Mitsuri Kanroji
NBCC_113	Obanai Iguro
NBCC_114	Sanemi Shinazugawa
NBCC_115	Gyomei Himejima
NBCC_116	Kanao Tsuyuri

Review of nanoblock Chikorita NBPM_030

November 8, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Chikorita
Japanese: Chicorita

Number: NBPM_030

Number of Pieces: 90

Difficulty Rating: 1/5

Chikorita is one of the starter Pokemon for generation 2, and like most grass-type starters, it’s green. Chikorita has 2 notable features that I hoped would be incorporated into the build. First, there is a large leaf hanging off Chikorita’s head. It also has a collar of spikes going around its neck.

Overall the build was fairly simple, which is what I would expect from a level 1 build. I was happy to see that both the collar and the leaf were completely intact. The collar is created by studs sticking out of the main body. Once the main body is built, you build a leaf and attach it to the head.

Things I liked:

How the leaf looks floating of its head

Things I didn’t like:

One Thing

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Slime Tower

November 3, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Slime Tower build. Slime Tower 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: 220

Difficulty Rating: 1/5

This is a build for a monster that is a collection of slimes. It is a stack of small slime monsters. After building almost all the Dragon Quest slimes, I think I am finally getting the hang of building with clear bricks.

This build is made up of 3 slimes. There is a blue slime, an orange slime, and a green slime. The builds are identical, except the green slime has some extra details on top. You build each of the slimes separately and then put the slimes together.

Each slime begins with a base layer in the color of the slime. You then build the slime up in rings that get smaller as you approach the top of the slime. Eventually, you close up the slime. If you are building the green slime, add the final details to the top to make it look like a teardrop.

Things I liked:

I’m finally getting the hang of working with the clear blocks
Very simple build

Things I didn’t like:

The slimes look much less round than normal slimes

Review of nanoblock Pichu NBPM_028

November 1, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_028

Number of Pieces: 90

Difficulty Rating: 1/5

Pichu was the first Pokemon build that had a difficulty level of 1 I built. It is a simple build made up of 2 parts, the head, and body.

The body is a simple few layers of mostly yellow with a little bit of black to make the stripes.

The head is generally a cube that creates a face with black-tipped ears. Overall it was a simple build that took very little time to build.

Things I liked:

Cute simple build

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Squirrel NBC_178

October 27, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Squirrel build. Squirrel is part of the nanoblock Mini Collection series. Wondering what else is part of the Mini Collection series? Click here for a list.

Number: NBC_178

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The Squirrel build starts as a basic build, starting with a base and building the height of the Squirrel. After step 5, you turn the build upside down and add the feet, the acorn it holds, and the base of the tail. Once you flip it back right-side-up, you build and attach the tail and head. 2 extra acorns sit near the Squirrel.

Overall I think the Squirrel is adorable. I like that it looks like its cheeks are full and puffed up.

Things I liked:

The extra acorns

Review of nanoblock Greninja NBPM_070

October 25, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Greninja
Japanese: Gekkouga

Number: NBPM_070

Number of Pieces: 180

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Greninja is the 3rd evolution of the generation 6 starter Froakie. There is a unique form known as Ash-Greninja, with the center fin on its head being red instead of blue. While there is not a model for Ash-Greninja, I think if you have a few red bricks, you can customize the build to create that form.

The build is different from many other Pokemon because it is not based on a sphere on a rectangle Greninja is posed like a ninja. All of the instructions are different and detailed because nothing is mirrored. However, building him was tippy, and he couldn’t stand up reliably until the final hand was attached. It was also hard to use my pad to build, which meant my bricks were shifting more than usual.

Overall I enjoyed the build and liked the final result. I’m not sure how much it looks like Greninja from the games or the anime, but it was a fun build.

Things I liked:

How he is posed means, there was no mirroring in the build

Things I didn’t like:

How it didn’t want to stand up until the final step was completed

Link to order: Amazon