Shy Gal’s Building Blog - Page 21 - Your reference for LEGO and nanoblock builds

Review of nanoblock Golem

May 12, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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This post is a review of the nanoblock Golem build. Golem 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: 180

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

The Golem was the first non-slime build from the Dragon Quest series that I picked up. I made the purchase because of the angles that this build had. I loved how the legs are on an angle and how the arms aren’t symmetrical.

The build is rated as a level 4, and I agree entirely with this ranking. You start by building the core of the central top part of the body, which is relatively straightforward other than adding a brick to the underside that eventually holds the arm. Next, you build the head and lower abdomen, which are simple builds but a bit of a challenge to get connected in the right place because of how the photos look. Then you build the Golem’s left arm and leg; both the arm and leg have tricks to add angles and bends to the joints. The last step is building the right arm and leg. The leg uses the same tricks as the left side to generate angles. The right arm is just a stack of bricks that is pretty easy to create.

Overall I really enjoyed the build and the tricks used to add angles to the Golem. I also like how solid the build is overall, and I don’t feel like the build is going to lose any parts.

Things I liked:

How soild and like an acutal Golem the build is

Things I didn’t like:

The angles can be tricky with getting things lined up

Review of nanoblock Flareon NBPM_022

May 10, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Flareon
Japanese: Booster

Number: NBPM_022

Number of Pieces: 170

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.

Overall the build the building up a rectangle using the orange and cream bricks. I enjoyed how the bricks created the fluffiness that is unique to Flareon. I think of Flareon as the fluffy eeveelution. Getting the ears to line up was a bit of a challenge as it is tiering up several smaller bricks.

Things I liked:

The black detailing in the ears

Things I didn’t like:

Not as much detail as the more recent eeveelution

Link to order: Amazon

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

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 LEGO BrickHeadz Donald Duck 40377

April 28, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the LEGO Donald Duck build. Donald Duck is part of the LEGO BrickHeadz series.

Number: 40377

BrickHeadz Number: 101

Number of Pieces: 90

Difficulty Rating: 10+

Release Year: 2020

Retired as of Publishing: No

Donald Duck is a BrickHeadz in the Disney Mickey Mouse and friends line. He has been around since 1934. He is generally shown as being in a relationship with Daisy Duck.

Unlike many BrickHeadz, Donald does not start with a square base. He begins with attaching the tail and adding on L-shaped pieces. You then expand to a square and build from there. Donald has printed bricks to create the sailor’s top. Once you build the shirt, You start an average build with the typical core for the head. The head is simple, with the final detail being the classic sailor hat. The hat is a bit of a letdown because it is super blocky compared to the fluidity the hat has typically.

Donald Duck detail of front printed brick

Overall I really like the Donald Duck build. I really like the detail that the printed block gives to the build. I just wish that the hat didn’t have the cheese wedge because it makes the hat look a little odd.

Things I liked:

The detail in the printed LEGO bricks

Things I didn’t like:

His hat is a little backwards lumpy

Link to order: LEGO

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 LEGO BrickHeadz Road Runner & Wile E Coyote 40559

April 21, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the LEGO BrickHeadz Road Runner & Wile E Coyote build. Road Runner & Wile E Coyote are part of the LEGO BrickHeadz series.

Number: 40559

BrickHeadz Number: 161 & 162

Number of Pieces: 205

Difficulty Rating: 10+

Release Year: 2022

Retired as of Publishing: No

Road Runner & Wile E Coyote were two of my favorite cartoon characters growing up. I loved watching all the plans that Wile came up with to try and catch the Road Runner.

I was excited that the kit came with 2 instruction manuals and 2 bags, one with everything for each character. I was super excited when I was looking at the photos to make the builds.

Road Runner

The Road Runner is like no BrickHeadz build I have ever done. This is because its head is so narrow, and there aren’t stacked bricks making up the outside of the body like a tower. The build starts by making a body that is a rectangle that is just over a 2 height square. The head is a bit more tricky, and I had to restart it a couple times to get everything lined up. Overall, I enjoyed the build and am super happy with the finished product.

Wile E. Coyote

I really liked the build for Wile. While it starts on a square base like most BrickHeadz, it didn’t stay that way for long. While the body is a typical square with studs to hold the arm, the head is more unusual. The head has external studs of various heights that allow there to be more variation and curves in the face. I really like the nose and how it appears curved, which is unusual for the BrickHeadz line. I was also surprised to see that Wile has a tail because you can’t see it in any of the photos.

Things I liked:

Wile E. Coyote’s tail was an unexpected surprise

Things I didn’t like:

Putting together Road Runner’s head

Link to order: LEGO

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