Shy Gal’s Building Blog - Page 20 - Your reference for LEGO and nanoblock builds

Review of nanoblock Rayquaza NBPM_064

July 12, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_064

Number of Pieces: 240

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Rayquaza is one of the 3 legendary Pokemon from generation 3. The 3 legendary pokemon from generation 3 are extremely popular and have appeared in most games since gen 3. The three legendary Pokemon, Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza, all remind me a little bit of the traditional art of the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest with how their lines are drawn and the use of rings.

In my opinion, this build should be a 4/5, not a 3/5, because of how tricky it is to get everything up. Rayquaza is a very long narrow Pokemon, more like a snake than anything else. Things are different from an average Pokemon build from the beginning because the base is in the shape of an L instead of a square or rectangle. As you build up from the bottom, you constantly have one or 2 studs hanging over. Next, you build another chain of brick similar to the base. Then you add the chunk of the body that is straight up and down to hold the head. This includes adding the arms that are chains connected by single studs. The final step is to add the head. The head is a much more straightforward build than getting the body together. You then connect the body to the base and have completed Rayquaza.

Rayquaza is a highly detailed Pokemon; generally, it is green with red and yellow markings. I really like how the build includes those details. The build is more complicated than many of the level 3s I have completed because of the balancing act of creating the build.

Things I liked:

The amount of detail in the final build from the use of color

Things I didn’t like:

The final build feels flimsy, so I’m always nervous about moving it.

Link to order:

Review of nanoblock Tokyo Tower Deluxe Edition NB-022

July 7, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

Tokyo Tower Deluxe Edition Build with box

Number: NB-022

Number of Pieces: 1420

Difficulty Rating: 5/5

Tokyo Tower is one of the more recognizable sites in Tokyo, Japan. It is the landmark you often see in movies or anime that tells you that the events are happening in Tokyo. It is a red and white radio tower. I haven’t had the chance to see it in person, but it is on my travel list when I go to Tokyo. The Deluxe build for Tokyo Tower is like no other nanoblock kit I have made before. I’m sure there are similar builds in the other deluxe builds, but I haven’t gotten there yet.

The build is broken up into sections A-E. Each section is the base or a section of the tower that is similar. I built things a section at a time. Overall, steps A and B included the most areas that I had to rebuild.

The first thing I had to figure out was how to organize all the nanoblocks. While working on the build, I tried several different methods. I’ll share my opinions on brick storage for just standard storage and working on large builds in another post.

Section A is the base of the tower. Unlike the lego builds I have done, nanoblock doesn’t have baseplates, so you need to make your own. You do this by laying out 2 by something size bricks in squares and placing 10x1o squares on top. This part was a bit tricky because it doesn’t like to lie flat, so I ended up investing in one of the rubber hammers that people use to make sure LEGOs are together. Section A includes the building at the base. The building requires excellent attention to detail because it can be hard to distinguish between the clear and light grey brick. Section A also includes the brinks to connect the tower to the base.

Tokyo Tower Deluxe Edition sections A & B

Section B is the first part of building the tower. You begin by making a square that ends up being at the top of Section B. You then build the legs that connect the tower to the base. I found this part to be tricky because the legs are flexible and shift from side to side. It was also tricky getting all four legs into the exact spot needed to attach to the base.

Section C is a reasonably straightforward build. It is working to build the height of the tower. You start with a square outline and build up from there. The directions to make the lattice are clear, so you know that you build the right thing.

Section D has the observation level and the first white stripe that gives Tokyo Tower its distinctive look. Once you build the observation deck, you continue to build up the tower’s height.

Section E is the top of the tower. It is primarily a pillar made of 1×1 nanoblocks.

Overall I really enjoyed each layer of the tower. I really enjoy the lattice on the tower and how it really looks like the actual tower. I’m saddened that my base doesn’t sit flat, even though I was really careful while building.

Tokyo Tower Deluxe Edition Finished build

Things I liked:

The amount of detail and how it looks like the lattice of the real tower

Things I didn’t like:

The top of the tower is a line of single bricks so it is hard to get it straight.
The final tower still doesn’t sit flat on a table

Review of nanoblock Pikachu Deluxe Edition NBPM_036

July 5, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_036

Number of Pieces: 560

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Deluxe Pikachu was the first deluxe Pokemon kit. I love my giant Pikachu, and he usually sits ready to stomp on one of my Lego cityscapes.

Deluxe Pikachu is similar to normal Pikachu (NBPM_001), but it uses much larger bricks. The largest brick is 2 X 8, which is larger than anything in most non-deluxe Pokemon sets. Overall, Deluxe Pikachu starts with a solid base and builds up in layers from the bottom up. Bricks of various colors create the stripes and the cheeks. I find that the most challenging part of Pikachu, and the thing I keep fixing, is his tail. The tail itself stays together without a problem. The problem is that the tail doesn’t want to remain attached to the 2×2 brick it is supposed to stay on.

Overall I really like Deluxe Pikachu. I think he looks super cute, especially for where nanoblocks were at the time. Based on the other Pokemon kits that came out at similar times to when Deluxe Pikachu was released, the slanted blocks didn’t really exist, so Pikachu had no choice but to be blocky. If the kit came out today, I could see Pikachu being more curved.

Things I liked:

I just like the giant Pikachu

Things I didn’t like:

I wish it was less blocky overall

Review of nanoblock Taxi of London NBH_141

June 30, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Taxi of London build. The Taxi of London is part of the nanoblock Sights to See series. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See series? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_141

Country: UK

Number of Pieces: 320

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Overall this was a relatively simple build. Since the taxi is black, it was good practice to read directions that use the white lines between bricks, which I’ve had problems reading in the past. Overall there are a lot of little smaller builds that build up into one larger build. I liked the use of clear for the windows when and how the slant of the windshield is created.

I think that the taxi is a cute little build. I’m not sure that it looks like the London cabs I’ve been in; they tend to be much curvier.

Things I liked:

The wheels spin unlike other car models

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Venusaur NBPM_018

June 28, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_018

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Venusaur is the 3rd evolution of Bulbasaur. At first glance, the build is more involved than the Bulbasaur build because of the detail in the flower on Venusaur’s back.

Overall I feel like this should be a 3/5 build since it is more challenging than most of the other 2/5s I have done. Overall there were 2 parts of the build I found difficult. In both of these spots, you build smaller pieces and connect them using a couple of single studs. The first step was difficult because of the size of the base and getting everything lined up. This was before I bought my pad so getting things lined up was a little challenging.

I liked how Venusaur turned out overall. He is super recognizable, which is excellent, and I liked how it worked and looked once I got it built.

Things I liked:

The detail in the flower
How the flower appears to float above Venusaur

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock London Tour Bus NBH_080

June 23, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock London Tour Bus build. The London Tour Bus is part of the nanoblock Sights to See series. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See series? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_080

Country: UK

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

It used to be that you couldn’t travel anywhere in London without seeing the classic double-decker bus. Over the years, they have slowly been replaced by greener single-deck buses. However, you can still find the double-decker tour buses all over. The bus rides are amazing on days with good weather with the open-top deck. While this kit says London, I have seen tour busses like this worldwide.

The first 6 steps are creating the central base of the bus. You then build the layers to build the sides of the bus. Each layer adds either red or details to the build. Eventually, you create the floor of the top layer. Then you add the seat bottom and seat backs. Then you add the walls to finish off the top of the build. Then you flip over the build to add the wheels. After building the London taxi, I was disappointed that the wheels didn’t move. The final steps of the bus part of the build are to add the poll at the back of the bus and the front of the bus. If you want to, there are people that you can add to the top of the bus. The last step in the directions is to add the stickers to the side of the bus. I did not add the people due to scale and didn’t add the stickers for the reasons in my post here.

Overall, I enjoyed the build. I liked the detail nanoblock adds with bricks getting from the bottom to the top with different colors. I don’t feel that the stickers would have added a lot to the build, so I didn’t add it.

Things I liked:

The amount of detail in bricks

Things I didn’t like:

That the wheels don’t spin

Review of nanoblock Sylveon NBPM_073

June 21, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Sylveon
Japanese: Nymphia

Number: NBPM_073

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

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. Sylveon is the fairy type of eeveelution from generation 6. Sylveon is a white pokemon with ribbons with pink and blue tips.

After completing all 9 eeveelutions I had the most trouble with Sylveon due to a couple hanging bricks not wanting to stay in place.

This nanoblock build begins with a base of white bricks. You then build up a few layers of white and add the pink details. To finish off the body, you need to add a simple tail.

Next, you build the head. In general, the head is pretty straightforward other than the fact it isn’t symmetrical. The head begins with a white base like the body. You then add layers of bricks that add the details for the nose and eyes. After adding several layers, you add a stack of bricks to form the end of one of Sylveon’s ribbons. There are the bricks I had a hard time keeping attached for the rest of the build. Once you add on the stack of bricks, you continue adding the ears and the ribbons in white, pink, and blue bricks. Once the head is completed, you attach the head to the body.

The final steps are to add the final details. You add feet and the ends of more ribbons.

Overall I got frustrated with the build. While the directions were easy to follow, I had difficulty getting some of the bricks to stay connected. This can be a common problem with nanoblocks if bricks are only held up by a single stud.

Things I liked:

I love the amount of detail in the build

Things I didn’t like:

I had a hard time getting the bricks at the end of the head ribbon to hold.

Review of nanoblock San Francisco Cable Car NBH_132

June 16, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock San Francisco Cable Car build. The San Francisco Cable Car is part of the nanoblock Sights to See series. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See series? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_132

Country: USA

Number of Pieces: 240

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

When you open the box, you will notice the block with the raised center, which is not a normal nanoblock. I enjoyed building around the outside of the brick, and it created all the windows. After making the base, you build the roof with some details. It was a little tricky getting the top attached since there were so many 1×1 stacks on the main body of the build.

Overall I think it is a nice build and fun. The colors are ones you don’t see in many builds, which is a nice change of pace.

Things I liked:

I really like how the colors and details look together

Things I didn’t like:

There aren’t wheels that spin
I don’t really like the people and didn’t put them on my model

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Glaceon NBPM_072

June 14, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Glaceon
Japanese: Glacia

Number: NBPM_072

Number of Pieces: 160

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. Glaceon is the grass type of eeveelution from generation 4. Glaceon has various shades of blue with triangular ear decorations and tail.

This nanoblock build is made of 3 blues, there is a navy, a pastel, and a cerulean blue. You begin the build by making a base. You build up the body in layers of blue bricks. Once you have built the body, you add the triangular tail.

The next step is to build the head. You begin creating a base of all three blues. Next, you build up the head in layers using the various shades of blue. Framing the main pastel blue of the head you add the details for the rest of the face. I really liked how they used the cerulean to frame and create the top of the head. Once you finish the head you attach it to the body.

The final step is to add the details. First, you attach the triangular ear decorations to the head. Then you attach the feet and you have a completed build.

Overall I really did enjoy the build. I really liked the amount of detail they put into the build.

Things I liked:

The creation of the ear details

Things I didn’t like:

It took a long time for the head to be solid and not falling apart

Review of nanoblock Slime Knight

June 9, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Slime Knight build. The Slime Knight is part of the nanoblock Dragon Quest series. Wondering what else is part of the Dragon Quest series? Click Here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 140

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The Slime Knight is a reasonably common monster in the Dragon Quest series. It looks like a knight that is riding on the slime. When I initially looked at the set, I was worried that the kit would be super hard. I was pleasantly surprised when I got around to building how great the directions were. The build is made of 2 parts the slime and the knight.

The slime begins with a base, and you start building up like the other slime builds. In the second layer, you begin to develop the face of the slime. Over the next 4 steps, you create the rest of the face and close up the top of the slime. Starting in stage 6, you begin to build the knight, but you also add the final bits to make the slime a teardrop.

One of the things I really like about the knight is that none of its limbs are symmetrical. You build the knight on your almost completed slime. You start with legs going in two different directions. Next, you add the knight’s body. After making the body, it’s time to attach the arms. One arm holds a sword, and one arm holds the shield. Both arms have a ton of detail, so you can really tell what the knight is holding. The final detail is the head. It is seated at an angle, so it is lined up with the front of the slime.

Things I liked:

The amount of detail and how both sides of the knight don’t match

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t love the clear with the solid color on the slime