Pokemon

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

Names:

• English: Dragonite
• Japanese: Kairyu

Number: NBPM_011 

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Dragonite is the original endgame dragon from generation 1. He is a lot rounder and more cartoon-looking than the dragons later in the series. In the Pokemon games and TV show, Dragonite can both transport mail and people.

This build starts with the head. You start with a base and build the dragon up. The head has the tricky part of getting the antenna lined up correctly and keeping them in place for the rest of the build.

Next, you build the body in a matter similar to the head.

Once you have a body and head, you attach them to each other. The next step is to build the wings. These are the most challenging part because of the amount of detail to create the illusion that the tan is all on one side and the teal is on the other.

I think the Dragonite build does an excellent job of capturing the fat round dragon, which is how it appears in the games.

Things I liked:

• I think the build captures the round dragon well

Things I didn’t like:

• The wings took me a couple tries to get right

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

Number: NBPM_024

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Psyduck is a generation 1 pokemon that is known for having constant headaches. The headaches give Psyduck access to psychic abilities. Misty had a Psyduck that would always pop out of the Pokeball in the Anime.

Overall the build for Psyduck is building up from the bottom layer. Each layer builds on itself until you get up to the head. You separately make the duck beak and attach it to the head. After connecting the beak, you continue to add layers until you have a sealed-up duck. Then all that is left is to add the little black feathers at the top of its head.

I like the Psyduck build because it is recognizable. However, in my mind, Psyduck is more of a bright crayon yellow, and the color of the bricks used in the build are more of goldenrod. I do think the little feathers on the head are cute.

Things I liked:

• The black bricks used to add the feather detail to the head

Things I didn’t like:

• I wish he was more yellow

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

Names:

• English: Lapras
• Japanese: Laplace

Number: NBPM_056

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Crystal Lapras is a version of Lapras that uses clear blue bricks instead of solid blue. Since the build is identical to that of the original Lapras, 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 Crystal Lapras here.

This kit is only available at Pokemon Centers in Singapore. I got mine from an eBay order.

Overall I don’t notice a lot of difference between the new model and the original. The blue is a little darker, taking it further away from the Pokemon’s actual coloring. I also tend to have a more challenging time working with the clear blocks because they never seem to fit as tightly as regular bricks. I don’t feel that the clear bricks add much, even when it is sitting in the direct light of my lightbox.

Things I liked:

• This was a nice simple build after building the first one.

Things I didn’t like:

• I don’t feel that the clear adds much

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

Number: NBPM_055

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Crystal Gyarados is a version that uses clear blue bricks instead of solid blue. 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 Crystal Gyarados here.

This build is only available at Pokemon Centers in Singapore. I got mine from an eBay order.

Overall I like this build better than the original build. You can see the eyes better from any angle versus just the select angles in the original build. I don’t like how the light grey looks with the crystal blue. I wish they had chosen a different clear or maybe a different color. I think the light grey stands out, and the number of solid bricks is a little awkward.

Things I liked:

• How you can see some of the details more easily

Things I didn’t like:

• How the clear looks with the number of solid bricks

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

Names:

• English: Magikarp
• Japanese: Koiking

Number: NBPM_035

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Magikarp is a useless Pokemon. I remember the days when all he would ever learn was splash before evolving into Gyarados. I know that he now learns other moves, but it really is just about getting it to evolve.

For a Pokemon that is used generally for just killing time, Magikarp has a surprisingly involved build. The body is generally a straightforward rectangle build-up. There are a few places where 1 wide brick sticks out to attach the whiskers and fins. After you build up the body, you need to build fins and whiskers and connect them. The fins and whiskers can be a bit difficult to make and get everything lined up, and in my opinion, this build is a 3/5 difficulty.

Things I liked:

• How the whiskers look

Things I didn’t like:

• The work to get the detailed whiskers set-up

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

Names:

• English: Caterpie and Pokeball
• Japanese: Caterpie and Monster Ball

Number: NBPM_10

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

This is a unique build in the NBPM line. There are 2 separate builds; they are smaller and more like what you get in the mini collection. First, you get to build Caterpie, one of the bug pokemon that has been around since generation 1. The other build is a Pokeball, which, if you have played any of the games, you know it’s where your Pokemon are stored.

Caterpie

Caterpie is a cute little build. It is basically building up along a rectangle. A transparent block on the bottom keeps your Caterpie from tipping forward. The build overall is very straightforward and enjoyable. The trickiest part is getting the antenna since it is a chain of blocks that are only connected by a single stud.

Pokeball

The Pokeball build is a straightforward build. It is basically just building a sphere starting with 4 of the nanoblock 3 stud L-blocks. I feel it is recognizable as a Pokeball for sure.

Things I liked:

• I got two builds for the price of one

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

Names:

• English: Slowpoke
• Japanese: Yadon

Number: NBPM_065

Number of Pieces: 140

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Slowpoke is a Pokemon that started in Generation 1 as a water/psychic-type. In Kanto and all the regions until generation 8, Slowpoke is a pink pokemon with a white tail. Unlike a lot of other Pokemon, it evolves into 2 different forms. In generation 8 in the downloadable content, Slowpoke is just a psychic-type with a yellow tail and more yellow on its head. It still has the same two evolutions.

The build begins by building 2 separate base pieces and connecting them together. You then build the rest of the Pokemon up from the edges and up and around. Once you close up the top of the Pokemon, you attach the feet. Then you have a choice to make, and you going to make the Kanto variant with more pink and white or the Galar variant with yellow. Once you pick your build, you finish off the head and attach the tail to complete the build.

I was super excited that you got to pick which variant you wanted to build. I really like how both of the Slowpoke look, so I bought 2 kits to have one of each. I think both builds are recognizable and enjoyable.

Things I liked:

• That there are 2 forms in 1 package

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

Names:

• English: Kubfu
• Japanese: Dakuma

Number: NBPM_076 

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Kubfu is a reasonably new bear Pokemon. It was introduced in the DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield. Kubfu starts as a shy Pokemon, but as you bond with the bear, it becomes stronger, and eventually, you choose how it will evolve.

You begin the build by starting with the head. You start with a base layer and build up. There are many places where you have studs hanging off and not layered. In general, however, the studs stuck off the side are nailed down with the layer above, so the bricks aren’t likely to fall off. Kubfu has a white headband that contrasts against the grey of the main body. You add the ends of the headband onto the back of the head as the final step of the headband. Next, you build the body of Kubfu. You build the body up in layers with a regular straightforward build. Finally, you add the legs by making a couple stacks of bricks.

Overall I really liked the build. I found a reasonable detail between the cream snout and white head sash. I was a little worried that the bear wouldn’t be able to stand up because his paws were a little narrow. I was pleasantly surprised that the model was able to stand up once the build was complete and wasn’t tippy at all.

Things I liked:

• The details in the back of the bear’s head