Tag: NBPM - Page 5 - Shy Gal's Building Blog

Review of nanoblock Grookey NBPM_059

July 19, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_059

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Grookey is the grass starter from generation 8. It’s known for poking things which shouldn’t be much of a surprise because its final evolution is a drummer.

The build is broken up into 2 builds the body and the head. It is hard to tell the difference between the brown and golden brown in the directions. The body is a straightforward build that is built up by adding layers of bricks to create a hunched-over body. It can be a bit tippy when it’s done if you don’t attach the base feet quick enough. The head is an average sphere build where you start with a base and build around the outside and eventually close up the sphere. Then you add Grookey’s branch and top fur.

Overall I really like the build, and I feel that Grookey is highly recognizable. I think that the colors match the pokemon overall very well.

Things I liked:

The coloring for the whole build

Things I didn’t like:

Fighting to perfectly line up the tail

Review of nanoblock Rayquaza NBPM_064

July 12, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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 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 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 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 Leafeon NBPM_071

June 7, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Leafeon
Japanese: Leafia

Number: NBPM_071

Number of Pieces: 140

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. Leafeon is the grass type of eeveelution from generation 4. Leafeon is generally cream with leaves for ears and tail.

The nanoblock build begins by creating a cream base. You add layers of cream to make the body adding little details of cream. The final step of the body is to add the green two-tone leaf tail.

The next step is to build the head. Once again, you begin with a cream base. You add layers of cream but bring in brown, white, and cream for various face details. I had some problems adding the detail of the leaf in the center of the head because it liked to push down. Then you add the ears using 2 shades of green with brown, adding a centerline to the ears. Once you have completed the head, you connect the head to the body.

The final step of the build is to add the feet. They are a little hard to line up since the directions have the bricks upside down.

Overall I enjoyed the build. I really like how the 2 shades of green look in the finished build. I also liked how clear the directions were overall.

Things I liked:

The use of 2 shades of green to create the leaf effect

Things I didn’t like:

Getting the head leaf lined up

Review of nanoblock Umbreon NBPM_044

May 31, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Umbreon
Japanese: Blacky

Number: NBPM_044

Number of Pieces: 130

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. I find that all the kits are recognizable for the pokemon they are supposed to be. Umbreon is the Dark-type of eeveelution from generation 2. Umbreon is black, with yellow details on its legs, ears, and tail. Unlike earlier builds, Umbreon appears to be standing.

Umbreon is built by separately building the body and attaching the tail, head, and legs. The body begins with a rectangle with areas for the legs jutting off the rectangle. The rest of the body is built up like normal. The tail is also a simple build. The head is a standard build up from a base. The ears can be tricky to get things lined up since each ear is different. It can also be tricky to get the head lined up correctly.

Overall I really like the Umbreon build because the details that make Umbreon recognizable are there. I also like that it stands compared to the generation 1 eeveelutions.

Things I liked:

That it appears to be standing

Things I didn’t like:

The grey nose is kind of random

Review of nanoblock Espeon NBPM_043

May 24, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Espeon
Japanese: Eifie

Number: NBPM_043

Number of Pieces: 130

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. I find that all the kits are recognizable for the pokemon they are supposed to be. Espeon is the Psychic-type of eeveelution from generation 2. Umbreon is black, with yellow details on its legs, ears, and tail. Unlike earlier builds, Espeon appears to be standing.

Espeon is an average nanoblock build where you start with a base and build up to create a body. Once you build the body, you make a head. The head’s trickiest part is getting the ears just right. The directions are pretty straightforward for building them, but it can be tricky. Then you need to attach the tail. I had difficulty lining up all the squares in the tail perfectly and wish they had used round bricks.

Overall I like the Espeon build. I think that the lavender bricks are close to the actual color.

Things I liked:

The color that they used

Things I didn’t like:

wish they used round bricks for the tail

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 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