Shy Gal’s Building Blog - Page 18 - Your reference for LEGO and nanoblock builds

Review of nanoblock Pad (NB-020) and nanoblock Pad Mini (NB-053)

September 17, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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NB-020 and NB-053 both nanoblock pads with packaging

The nanoblock Pad is by far my favorite and most used accessory. This is because I find it so useful to create my builds. When I refer to my nanoblock pad or pad, I am generally talking about NB-020 or the larger pad because it is the one I’ve had longer.

What is the nanoblock Pad?

The nanoblock pad is a silicon pad that is used for the creation of nanoblock builds. There are 2 different models. The only real difference is the size of the actual pad.

NB-020

The NB-020 pad has 2 sections that can fold up to protect the studs. 1 section is a pad that has studs. This is the side where you can create nanoblock builds. The other section is a flat section of silicon that is nice for laying out small bricks.

NB-053

Recently a smaller version of the nanoblock pad was released. It is much smaller than the original pad. I don’t use this pad very often because the larger pad has more flexibility about where exactly it goes.

How do you use the pad?

When I start a build, I always try to lay the base layer of bricks on the pad on the side with studs. Normally this works, but sometimes it doesn’t work, and you need to build off the pad.

After laying out the base layer, I add the second layer of bricks as the top layer. Because of how nanoblock designs the builds, the first and second layers are fully connected.

Normally after I build the 2 layers, I build as much as possible on the pad but sometimes, after a few layers, it makes more sense to build while holding the model in my hands.

Review of nanoblock Polar Bear NBC_294

September 15, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Polar Bear build. The Polar Bear 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_294

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I originally picked up the polar bear kit because I really liked the asymmetric nature of the build since one of his paws is on the ice flow.

I was delighted that I had my nanoblock pad for putting the body together. The base of the bear is larger than most of the classic collection builds. I was also surprised that the bear is made of white and a bit of cream. I couldn’t really see the detail in the photo on the packaging, so it was a pleasant surprise.

Once you layout the base layer of the body, you build up the rest of the body. Then you build the head, which is pretty straightforward. The next step is adding the final details to the back. I find it hard to tell which are the new blocks and the previous layer. Then you need to flip the bear over and add details to the stomach and paws. I liked the use of cream to add more detail to the feet.

Overall, I really liked building the bear. I really like the detail of the cream added to the white to add some detail. I didn’t like that it was hard to tell which layer was when adding details to the bear’s back.

Things I liked:

The use of cream to add contrast

Things I didn’t like:

The directions to add detail to the back

Review of nanoblock Magikarp NBPM_035

September 13, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Magikarp
Japanese: Koiking

Number: NBPM_035

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Magikarp is a useless Pokemon. I remember the days when all he would ever learn was splash before evolving into Gyarados. I know that he now learns other moves, but it really is just about getting it to evolve.

For a Pokemon that is used generally for just killing time, Magikarp has a surprisingly involved build. The body is generally a straightforward rectangle build-up. There are a few places where 1 wide brick sticks out to attach the whiskers and fins. After you build up the body, you need to build fins and whiskers and connect them. The fins and whiskers can be a bit difficult to make and get everything lined up, and in my opinion, this build is a 3/5 difficulty.

Things I liked:

How the whiskers look

Things I didn’t like:

The work to get the detailed whiskers set-up

Review of nanoblock Moon Jellyfish NBC_087

September 8, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Moon Jellyfish build. The Moon Jellyfish 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_087

Number of Pieces: 200

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Moon Jellyfish appear to be a relatively common kind of jellyfish. They usually are entirely transparent.

The build for either jellyfish’s body isn’t too difficult if you pay careful attention to the layer you are working on. What you have already built is marked in blue, so what you have already done is apparent.

Once you have made the body, you have one of the most challenging steps to complete. You need to attach the tentacles. It is challenging to tell where precisely the tentacle connects to the main body.

After you build the 2 jellyfish, you still need to make a base for them to hang on. There are some simple plants and the blue chains of ball joints that hold up the jellyfish. The chains are incredibly flexible, so it can move around and break when you attach the jellyfish.

Things I liked:

The collection of clear blocks looks unique and cool

Things I didn’t like:

The final build is flexible and easy to break

Review of nanoblock Caterpie and Pokeball NBPM_10

September 6, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Caterpie and Pokeball
Japanese: Caterpie and Monster Ball

Number: NBPM_10

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

This is a unique build in the NBPM line. There are 2 separate builds; they are smaller and more like what you get in the mini collection. First, you get to build Caterpie, one of the bug pokemon that has been around since generation 1. The other build is a Pokeball, which, if you have played any of the games, you know it’s where your Pokemon are stored.

Caterpie

Caterpie is a cute little build. It is basically building up along a rectangle. A transparent block on the bottom keeps your Caterpie from tipping forward. The build overall is very straightforward and enjoyable. The trickiest part is getting the antenna since it is a chain of blocks that are only connected by a single stud.

Pokeball

The Pokeball build is a straightforward build. It is basically just building a sphere starting with 4 of the nanoblock 3 stud L-blocks. I feel it is recognizable as a Pokeball for sure.

Things I liked:

I got two builds for the price of one

Review of nanoblock Green Spotted Puffer NBC_085

September 1, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Green Spotted Puffer build. The Green Spotted Puffer 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_085

Number of Pieces: 150

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The Green Spotted Puffer is a real fish. They are often freshwater fish.

This is a sweet little build. I really liked how the fish looked in the package. I was a little worried about how the models would stand up, but when I opened the package, I was pleasantly surprised to find a base for the model to sit on.

There are two fish in this build, a large one and a small one. The large fish overall was a fairly straightforward build. You start with a base that layers up. There are some details and creative use of bricks, like how the eyes are created from the non-ball side of the ball joint. The hardest part for me was getting all the clear bricks lined up. The small fish is straightforward with no real bonus details.

Things I liked:

That there was a nice base to put both fish on

Things I didn’t like:

So many clear blocks to balance

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