Tag: NBPM - Page 2 - Shy Gal's Building Blog

Review of nanoblock Metagross NBPM_098

May 9, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_098

Number of Pieces: 230

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Metagross was introduced in generation 3. It is the final evolution of Beldum, and the evolutions are all triggered by leveling up.

This build is made up of the main body section and Metagross’s 4 legs that are attached to the main body.

To build the main body section, I began by laying the base layer out on my nanoblock pad. The body went up in straightforward layers. I really like the depth of the grey X that makes up the front of the face. I also really like how the eyes peak out of build depending on the angle you look at the build.

The next step is to add the 4 legs. They are similar, with there being differences between the front and back legs. While building, I noticed it was easier to build the top and bottom half of the legs and connect the sections. After building the entire leg, I would attach the legs. I found this made the legs more sturdy.

Things I liked:

I really like the detail in the face and how it changes depending on how you look at the build

Things I didn’t like:

The legs aren’t pinned in via the top, so the legs can easily fall off while building or moving Metagross

Review of nanoblock Milotic NBPM_097

May 2, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_097

Number of Pieces: 200

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Milotic is a pokemon introduced in generation 3. It is the evolution of Feebas, which doesn’t have a nanoblock build at this point. While Milotic appears to be a dragon, it is only a water type.

When I originally looked at the build, the snake shape reminded me of the Rayquaza build, so I was worried the build would very fragile. While I was building, however, I noticed that the overlapping layers were deeper, so I knew the build would be much more solid.

Then building the first 8 or so steps is creating the base of the pokemon. Each step either adds bricks to the base or locks the base layer in place. This was a build where I was glad to have my nanoblock pad because it made keeping each base layer lined up a piece of cake.

After building the base, the top of the body is rounded out. I liked the use of various colors in the back section to create the patterning on its tail.

The next step is to build Milotic’s neck. While building the neck, the long head decoration that comes off the right side of the head is also built in pink. These steps are fairly straightforward.

The next step is to build and attach the head. I had some issues when adding the bricks to top off the head, with the main section of the head falling off. I think this is because the head is so front-heavy.

The final steps are to add the details that make Milotic recognizable. The first is to add the long head decoration on the left side of Milotic’s head. The antenna on both sides of the head is also added. The final addition is the tail. Each detail is very simple to build but has a lot of impact on the final build.

Things I liked:

I like that the build is solid and that I can easily move the build as needed instead of feeling that it needs to sit in 1 place for forever.

Things I didn’t like:

In my head, Milotic is a really smooth pokemon. This build is a bit blocky and not as smooth as it could be if they kept it more snakelike

Review of nanoblock Gardevoir NBPM_096

April 25, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_096

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Gardevoir is the original final evolution of Ralts. It was initially only a psychic type but became a psychic / fairy type when the fairy type was introduced.

Unlike most pokemon builds, I feel that Gardevoir isn’t really recognizable. This is for 2 major reasons.

First, the head is misshapen and doesn’t appear like the head in video games. The head in video games is much smoother and rounder than the head. Also, Gardevoir has redder eyes, so it might be slightly better if red bricks had been used for the eyes.

Secondly, I also feel that the body isn’t correct. The nanoblock Gardevoir appears to wear a skirt with visible legs. The build simply has the skirt without the legs.

The first few steps of the build create the base of Gardevoir’s skirt. Laying out the entire skirt took about half of my larger nanoblock pad.

After creating the base, the body goes up in layers of white. Then the arms are added along with the detail coming out of Gardevoir’s chest.

The head begins with creating a base layer over a few steps. The head goes up in straightforward layers adding details to the face. I feel that the head isn’t shaped in a recognizable way.

The final step is to attach the head to the body, and the build is done.

Things I liked:

I really like the detail in the skirt and how it creates Gardevoir’s hips.

Things I didn’t like:

I feel that this build isn’t very recognizable as the Pokemon Gardevoir. The head isn’t really appropriately shaped, which I find disappointing since, normally, Pokemon builds are very recognizable.

Review of nanoblock Rowlett NBPM_051

April 18, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Rowlett
Japanese: Mokuroh

Number: NBPM_051

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Rowlett is the grass starter from generation 7. Initially released under NBPM_27, it was only available at Japanese Pokemon Centers.

Overall this is a straightforward build. It is building the outer shell of a sphere from the base. The first step is to create the base by putting two smaller builds together. From there, you add the Pokemon’s sweet little bow tie. Next, you build the Pokemon by adding rings of bricks for several layers.

As you reach the top of the Pokemon, you begin to close up the head. At this point, you need to be careful to make sure that bricks are extra carefully lined up. As you close up the head bricks, you can push bricks into the cavity and create indents so that you can’t build the next layer.

Once you have closed up the sphere, it’s time for the final details. Attach the tail and the feet, and viola, the build is done.

Overall, I really liked this build. I liked the color that was selected for the green details. I had some difficulty getting the head to close up because I wasn’t super tight on my connections.

Things I liked:

The color of the green details

Review of nanoblock Popplio NBPM_050

April 11, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Popplio
Japanese: Ashimari

Number: NBPM_050

Number of Pieces: 110

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Popplio is the water starter Pokemon from generation 7. Initially released under NBPM_26, it was only available at Japanese Pokemon Centers.

The build begins at the tail and builds up along the body. The directions are straightforward for building the body. Until you add the feet, the build can easily tip over. Adding the feet happens in steps 4 and 5 with great directions. Next, you add the light blue collar and build the head directly on the build. The head can be a bit tricky to perfectly line up because a couple of chains of bricks go into making the head.

Overall I enjoyed the Popplio build. I feel that the colors are close and nicely match the original pokemon. Every build has a couple tricks, but overall I thought of this as a pretty easy build.

Things I liked:

The colors they picked for the pokemon

Things I didn’t like:

It kept tipping when I was building before adding the legs

Review of nanoblock Charizard DX NBPM_080

March 14, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Charizard DX
Japanese: Lizardon DX

Number: NBPM_080

Number of Pieces: 860

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

This is the deluxe build for Charizard. It has a lot more detail than the original Charizard build. It is a much larger build made in pieces and held together with ball joints. I did the build over a few days, so I recommend having a safe place to leave the build spread out while you are working on it.

The nanoblock build begins by creating a base for the body. It takes about 6 steps to make the entire base of cream and orange bricks. You then continue the body by building up rings that get smaller until it closes the body. This build includes slanted pieces that I find stab my fingers when I push them into place.

The next step is to add the feet and arms via ball joints. The feet are built by stacking bricks to create a base to stand on. You attach the feet to a ball joint attached to the body. I had a hard time getting the ball joints lined up to stabilize the feet. You also build arms through a chain of ball joins. The hands are pretty fragile.

Now it is time to build the main section of the head. It is tricky because the head is generally only 3 bricks thick, so there isn’t much overlap, so it’s easy to push the bricks apart. The head is generally just building chunks of bricks onto other chunks until you have a completed head. When I attached the neck, I realized that I had attached the lower jaw in the wrong place, and the whole head fell apart when I moved it.

The following stages are to add the neck and tail. Both are very straightforward builds. The neck is a solid build that you eventually attach the head onto. The tail is a chain of bricks held together by ball joints. The tail includes the clear flame, which is a stack of clear bricks. As a warning, the tail likes to fall off the 1×2 brick that holds the flame.

The final stage of the build is to build the mirrored wings. These are large pieces that are 2-3 layers thick. They are built by creating smaller pieces that connect to the base. The directions are very straightforward and easy to follow. Once you make the wings, you attach them to the body, completing your build.

Overall I’m not sure how I feel about the build. This is the second deluxe Pokemon I’ve done, the other being Pikachu, and the detail is excellent. This is the 4th Charizard type build that nanoblock has made, and while it has the most detail, I would have rather had a different Pokemon. I found the final build to be very fragile and had difficulty posing it to get the photos because the flame kept falling off.

Things I liked:

The amount of detail in the build

Things I didn’t like:

The head isn’t layered super stable and tended to fall apart

Review of nanoblock Lucario NBPM_068

March 7, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_068

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Lucario is one of the most popular fighting pokemon. I’m pretty sure it’s been in the regional Pokedex of every generation 4. At least, it feels like that is the situation.

The build for Lucario is very detailed, with over 20 steps. Generally, the number of steps on a pokemon, in my experience, is 10-15 steps. Lucario is tall, so it’s building up the height. There is a lot of detail in the head to create the face.

I was surprised to learn that nanoblock was making Lucario. He has a very trim body, basically an hourglass, in the game and I imagined it would not translate into blocks well. Sadly, in this case, the body is much thicker than it is in the games. I also noticed that Lucario’s tail is heavy and knocks the model off balance. I put mine on a base so that it can stand up safely.

Things I liked:

The amount of detail in the build overall

Things I didn’t like:

He didn’t stand, so needed a base plate
Attaching his head was really finicky

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Garchomp NBPM_075

February 28, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Garchomp
Japanese: Gaburias

Number: NBPM_075

Number of Pieces: 210

Difficulty Rating: 3/10

Garchomp is ground/dragon Pokemon that was released in generation 4. It is the final evolution of Gible and looks a bit like a hammerhead shark. It is also the last Pokemon that the generation 4 champion Cynthia.

When I started the nanoblock build, I made a couple of observations. First, it is hard to tell the difference between the black bricks and the navy that makes up most of the build. I was also worried that I would need a base plate because I was concerned the figure would be tippy.

You begin with a base of navy bricks. In the second step, you begin to build the front of Garchomp since he has a tail sticking off the back end of the base. As you build up the layers, you make the orange stomach and the navy back of Pokemon. In step 6, you build the arms, which hang off by a stud. The arms are fragile and may break off as you continue to build. It is relatively easy to reattach the arms if they do break off.

Once you attach the arms, you build and attach the back fins. You then add a few layers to lock the arms and fin in place. Then it’s time to move on to the head.

You begin the head with a base and build it up in layers. In the layers, you add eyes surrounded by black. After a few layers, you add the distinct head to create the hammerhead shape. Then you add a final layer and attach the head. Please note once you attach the head, the build is temporarily no longer able to stand on its own, so be careful when you put it down.

It’s then time to finish up the build by adding the final details. You first build 2 legs that mirror each other and attach them to the Garchomp. Your build will once again stand on its own. The final detail is to finally finish the tail to complete the build.

Overall, I felt this build should be a 4/5, not a 3/5, because it was difficult, and bits kept breaking off as I tried to build the layers. I was presently surprised that the feet are wide enough to keep the build upright. It is a very fragile build, so I don’t recommend putting it near the edge of a shelf where it could fall super easily.

Things I liked:

I really like the amount of detail in the nanoblock build

Things I didn’t like:

I feel like the arms are a bit weak and likely to break if you move the build a lot

Review of nanoblock Piplup NBPM_079

February 21, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Piplup
Japanese: Pochama

Number: NBPM_079

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The nanoblock build for Piplup has 2 parts. There is the head and the body.

The section you build is the body. It begins with a layer of bricks in various shades of blue. The body is then built up using layers of blue bricks. In building layers, you add the white for the spots on Piplup’s chest. You also add Piplup’s wings.

The second part of the build is the head. The head begins with a layer of blue and white bricks. The head is built by adding layers of bricks. As you add the layers of bricks, you add the details of the beak and eyes. In my opinion, they are super large for the build, so it looks a little funny. The beak looks closer to yellow than the gold bricks that come with a kit in the directions. When finishing the head, I had the unusual problem that the top layer caved in a bit, so adding the final layer of bricks was challenging.

To finish the build, there are a couple steps. First, you need to attach the head to the body. It is a bit challenging to tell where exactly where the head goes. Then you add a final bottom layer of bricks. The final step is to add the feet to the build.

Things I liked:

Piplup is one of my favorite pokemon, so I’m glad we got a build for him

Things I didn’t like:

His eyes are huge and look too big
I’m not sure if changing out the gold bricks with yellow bricks would look better

Review of nanoblock Chimchar NBPM_078

February 14, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Chimchar
Japanese: Hikozaru

Number: NBPM_078

Number of Pieces: 150

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The Chimchar nanoblock build has 2 parts. There is a head and a body.

The build begins with the body. It begins with a layer of bricks, including clear bricks. The clear bricks will become Chimchar’s flame tail. This is a detail that mirrors the builds of the Charmander family.

The rest of the body is made of cream and brown bricks. The body and the tail are built together in layers of bricks. At some point, you attach the arms. This can be a tricky step because the bricks are chained together. Meaning it is easy for a brick lower in the chain to fall off even after the top is secured. You finish building the body by eventually adding the feet.

After building the body you move on to the head. The head begins with a layer of cream bricks. The head is built up in layers of mostly brown and cream. As you build the layers, you add the details of the eyes, nose, and ears.

The build is completed by combining the head and the body. I personally had some difficulty lining up the head so it was straight on the body.

Things I liked:

The clear blocks for the flame on the tail are similar to how they are used in the Charmander family.

Things I didn’t like:

It was a pain to get the head centered when I combined the head and the body