Tag: Pokemon

Review of nanoblock Dialga Deluxe Edition NBPM_094

May 23, 2023March 16, 2023shygal

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

Number: NBPM_094

Number of Pieces: 1020

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

Dialga is one of the generation 4 box legendary Pokemon. It is the master of time. Dialga and Palkia are the only Deluxe nanoblock Pokemon that don’t have also have standard builds.

When I opened the box, I was sad to see that the instructions were printed on a huge piece of paper instead of a booklet. Some of the deluxe kits I’ve built have had booklets and I prefer those. There were 13 bags of bricks so I knew I needed to build the Dialga on my table instead of my tray table.

Dialga Deluxe Edition build and side view

Dialga is built primarily made from navy bricks. While building, the navy bricks appear to be black when I’m digging around in the bags to find the bricks. There are handful of black brciks in the head. After I realized there was black I checked each bag with a flashlight to find the black and noted which bricks were black.

The first section is the main body. The body is very straightforward and I could easily build the body on my nanoblock pad. I was surprised by how many ball joints were in the body while I was building it. I waited until the end to connect the large section together so that I was trying to balance a build and could attach them in a way that made sense.

The second section is the gem on Dialga’s chest. It is a bit tricky to keep track of which slanty pieces are needed for each step. All of the grey slanty pieces are in the bag so it’s a bit tricky to find the right piece. Once again I built this section on my nanoblock pad.

The next section is the fin on Dialga’s back. Each large section of the fin is a tower of nanoblocks. The hardest part of the tower is making sure the layers are properly overlaid so gaps are minimal. However, what makes the fin truly tricky is the center core where all the towers attach. Getting the fins properly spaced out and not overlapping or pushing on each other depends on having everything centered perfectly which is tricky.

The next step is the base of the 4 feet. Each foot is identical and goes up in layers. Each foot is a solid tower of bricks. I was able to lay all 4 feet out on my large nanoblock pad which made it easier to make sure I didn’t miss any steps on any foot because I was looking at all 4 feet at once.

The next step is to build all 4 of Dialga’s legs. Each leg is a combination of adding the leg connection to the foot and the actual leg itself. all of the brick work is fairly straightforward. The biggest problem I had was getting the leg and foot to nicely attach due to how the ball joint was lined up. I wanted the moveable areas on the socket to be at angles but the actual socket only allows for 90 degree movements.

The next 2 sections are the tail and the neck. Both are fairly straightforward with the only real difference being the tail is 3 sections connected with ball joints.

The head is very straightforward to build. The instructions also make it very clear the couple of steps that used black bricks instead of the navy. I really like that the initial head build has studs sticking out the front which allows for building on and creating Dialga’s curved face instead of it being a block.

The final step is to build the head decorations on both sides of Dialga’s head. They are identical other than 1 brick which has a side stud that is used to connect the piece to the head. Both pieces are connected by inserting a round 1×1 into a socket. This is my favorite way of connecting bricks, but I think it works in this case.

Dialga Deluxe Edition build back 3/4 view

After building all the sections I needed to connect them. I would recommend getting a second pair of hands for this part so that each ball joint can be added but pressure can be kept off the already connected ball joints. First I connected the head to the neck and added the head decorations. Next, I connected the tail to the body. Then I attached the fin. Next, I attached the feet. Finally, I attached the head unit to the body.

Dialga Deluxe Edition build front 3/4 view

Things I liked:

The batch builds. Building multiple identical items at once instead of having split-up identical directions.

Things I didn’t like:

I wish the instructions had been in a booklet instead of a huge piece of paper.
I wish the handful of black had been marked in some way. There are so many bricks that the few black ones were difficult to find.

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 Litten NBPM_049

April 4, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Litten
Japanese: Nyabby

Number: NBPM_049

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Litten is the fire starter Pokemon from generation 7. Initially released under NBPM_25, it was only available at Japanese Pokemon Centers.

Litten is a unique build compared to almost all the Pokemon builds. It starts like normal with a base layer that is built up. Then start building parts separately and adding them back to the build.

In step seven, there is something I don’t remember seeing in any other builds. You start by building the face as a separate piece, but then you have a shot looking in from the back of Litten, and you need to figure out how exactly to connect the face. I had some difficulty, but I made it work. After attaching the face, the rest of the build is straightforward.

Overall I find the final Litten recognizable, and I think it looks like a cute kitty.

Review of nanoblock Mimikyu NBPM_052

March 28, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Mimikyu
Japanese: Mimikkyu

Number: NBPM_052

Number of Pieces: 200

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Mimikyu is a ghost/fairy Pokemon that was introduced in generation 7. Mimikyu is a Pokemon that wears a costume, so no one knows what the real form looks like.

Mimikyu is made up of 2 main sections the body and the head. The last layer and current tend to be similar in color in the directions, so you want to make sure you have good light to tell the difference. The body starts as a base that you build up until you reach the top of the body. The build is pretty straightforward with clear directions. The head is similar to a sphere other than the ears at different heights.

Overall, Mimikyu is a pleasant build that produces a model that matches the Pokemon well.

Things I liked:

One Thing

Things I didn’t like:

One Thing

Link to order: Amazon

Review of nanoblock Bewear NBPM_053

March 21, 2023March 3, 2023shygal

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

Names:

English: Bewear
Japanese: Kiteruguma

Number: NBPM_053

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Bewear is a normal/fighting type that was introduced in generation 7.

Overall the Bewear build is straightforward. You start with a base and build up. The only place you break off is the decoration on his head. There are also more steps in making his legs than in most Pokemon builds.

Overall this is such a straightforward build I don’t really have much to say about it. However, I do like how the final build turned out.

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