Pokemon

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

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

Number: NBPM_067

Number of Pieces: 200

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Ponyta is a pokemon that was initially introduced in generation 1. In generation 1, it is a fire-type Pokemon. However, this isn’t the build for the generation 1 Pokemon; this build is for the generation 8 psychic-type Ponyta. The psychic type is a unicorn with fluffy pink and turquoise hair.

The build is slightly different because many smaller chunks need to be built and added on. First, you start with the usual base, and from the second step, you create exterior pieces connected to the base. Then you build the majority of the tail and attach it. Then you build up the rest of the body in regular layers.

Next, it’s time to make the head by layering from the bottom of the head to the top. Next, you flip the build over and add details for the mane and tail. Finally, you add the legs, complete with details.

Overall I think that this is an adorable build. I really like the colors they picked and how the mane and tail look soft and changing color. There were a lot of bits where if you don’t get things just so, then the build wouldn’t line up.

Things I liked:

• The colors that were used for this build

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

Names:

• English: Farfetch’d
• Japanese: Kamonagi

Number: NBPM_066

Number of Pieces: 190

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Farfetch’d is a pokemon that looks like a little brown duck. It is known to always to be carrying a leek and was introduced in generation 1. Farfetch’d is one of the few Pokemon to have multiple forms turned into nanoblock. This review is for the Galar variant of Farfetch’d, a Fighting-type and introduced in generation 8. To read my review of the generation 1, Farfetch’d click here.

I think that getting between steps 1 and 2 may be the trickiest part of the entire build. You start with a base of 2 bricks and then add 8 bricks in step two. Since you can’t really see how the second layer connects, making sure everything is lined up can be tricky. After completing step 2, the build is very straightforward, building up layers like a nor nanoblocks build. You’ll want to be careful with the wing holding the leek as you create the body because there is more detail on that side. Continue building up layers until you close up the ducks head. Once you have completed the duck, you need to add the detail to the top of the leek. The leek is straightforward and will sit on the table, not hanging.

Overall I enjoyed the Farfetch’d build. The darker brown is too dark for the actual Pokemon, but I do like the color.

Things I liked:

• The giant leek

Things I didn’t like:

• I had some difficulties getting the details of the leek to line up

Link to order: