Tag: USJ

Review of nanoblock Jurassic Park Pteranodon

April 11, 2024December 7, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Jurassic Park Pteranodon build. Jurassic Park Pteranodon is part of the nanoblock Universal Studios Japan collection. Wondering what else is part of the Universal Studios Japan collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I bought this kit used, so I wasn’t sure if I would get all the parts. While building, I realized I was missing a 4×1 brick. I was able to switch the square 4×1 to a rounded 4×1 brick. The sign that is a stack of bricks with a sticker was also already built with the sticker attached, so I didn’t need to build that.

The first thing that you build is the body of the Pteranodon. It takes work to make sure everything is lined up and centered. This is because many sections combine even and odd bricks, with the center of the odd being between the studs of the even.

The next step is to build the head. The head is fairly straightforward, with long sections hanging off the head.

Next is to build the wings. Each wing is a stack of bricks that are only 1 brick thick. The wings are identical but mirrored. The wings are made of rounded bricks so they can move a bit. This is also where I traded out the 1×4 brick that I mentioned earlier.

The last step is to prepare the build for display. First, a tower of clear bricks is added to the bottom of the Pteranodon. Then the sign is built by building a stack of bricks and attaching a sticker. The Pteranodon is held in place by 2 bricks, allowing the dinosaur to be at an angle.

Things I liked:

I like the color of the Pteranodon. It is an unusual color that isn’t used very often.

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t like how there are a few random teal blocks that don’t match the rest of the build. The color change is completely random, and it doesn’t add anything to the build

Review of nanoblock Bob

August 25, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Bob build. Bob is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Bob is of the several minions that have jobs. He has different color eyes and is holding a one-eyed teddy bear.

The build begins with a base with several colors to create the bear, Bob’s hands, and body.

You build up layer by layer from the base layer, forming the bear and Bob. I like how they make various depths with an inset mouth and goggles that stick out.

The layers continue up, and the build becomes more yellow. Once you build the yellow layer, you make the strap for the goggles. Then you layer on the yellow to finish the minion’s head.

Next, you flip over the build and add a little more detail to the bear and Bob’s legs.

The final step is to start building on the base. First, you add the feet of both the minion and the bear. Next, you add the legs. The final step is to add the minion body onto the legs.

Things I liked:

The eye details on both the minion and the bear

Review of nanoblock Cookie Monster

August 18, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Cookie Monster build. Cookie Monster is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Cookie Monster is one of the many puppets on Sesame Street. He is a blue monster that loves to eat cookies.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

This build is broken into 2 parts, the head, and the body. The body starts with a 10×10 green base. You then add the feet and begin to build the body. Since you have the feet and the legs added, you add a base layer of the body. You then build up in layers to create the entire body. You add an adorable cookie into his left hand.

Once you have completed all the body layers, it’s time to build Cookie’s head. The head starts with a base layer of bricks. You then build up the layers for the head. A super lovely detail is that Cookie Monster’s mouth is inset to look like the shadowing is appropriate. You continue to add layers until you close up the head. You add the eyes. They are offset, so they look like googly eyes.

Things I liked:

The detail of holding a cookie
The googly eyes

Review of nanoblock Big Bird

August 11, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Big Bird build. Big Bird is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 110

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Big Bird is one of the many puppets from Sesame Street. He is a 6-year-old bird who has been a cast member for decades. He is most known for his childlike wonder and wanting to learn about everything.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

This build comprises 2 significant parts, the head, and the body. Big Bird comes on with a green 10×10 base. You first add legs to the base. I appreciate the fact that they kept the stripes on the legs. After you build the legs, you make the base for the body. Next, you add the rest of the body, including the wings, in layers to create the body.

Then it is time to build the head. For the head, you begin with the base and add layers. You will change from yellow to add the eyes and eyelids. After several layers, you will add the feathers at the top of Big Bird’s head.

Things I liked:

The color details on the legs and eyelids

Review of nanoblock Moppy

August 4, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Moppy build. Moppy is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Moppy is a muppet that was created especially for Universal Studios Japan. He is a light pink furry muppet with dark pink spots and what appears to be pink hair. For more information about this little-known muppet, check out Muppet Wiki.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay. I mainly got this set to have a complete set for Sesame Street Universal Studios Japan.

Moppy is broken up into 3 different builds. There is the head, body, and feet on a base. This build has several random dark pink spots representing the dark pink spots Moppy has. The feet are the most straightforward feature, 3 layers of each foot on a 10×10 base.

The second build for this muppet is the body. You start with a base layer of bricks and build up the body in layers. There is a pair of 2×2 bricks that create a tail puff. The top of the body is a little tricky at the top layers. This is because of the arms hanging off the body that you add.

The final part you get to build is the head. The head begins with a base layer and builds up to create a sphere. In addition to the pink spots, you add the eyes, nose, and pink hair.

Things I liked:

The detail of adding the tail puff

Things I didn’t like:

Doesn’t really capture the muppet’s cuteness

Review of Nanoblock Ernie

July 28, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Ernie build. Ernie is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 110

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Ernie is one of the muppets that live on Sesame Street. He lives with Bert and constantly annoys him. Ernie is always connected with rubber ducks because of his friend Rubber Ducky.

This set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

This nanoblock build is broken into 2 parts, the head, and the body. The body begins by building the white sneakers on a 10×10 base. Next, you build up the blue pants by adding layers of bricks. Then you add the stripy shirt with a yellow shirt collar. You also add the arms, which expands the stripes and the hands.

Then it is time to build the head. You begin with a base layer of bricks. Next, you add on more layers of bricks. By adding these bricks, you will create the inset mouth. Continue adding layers until you close up the head. Once you close the head, the final step is to add Ernie’s messy hair.

Things I liked:

The messy hair detail
The fact they kept his striped shirt

Review of nanoblock Bert

July 21, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Bert build. Bert is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Bert is one of the muppets that live on Sesame Street. He likes paperclips and pigeons. Bert lives with the overly energetic Ernie and is regularly annoyed by Ernie.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

There are 2 parts to this build: the head and the body. Bert’s body begins by putting shoes on a 10×10 green base. Next, you layer up the legs using just green bricks. Then you build the striped shirt out of orange and dark green bricks. The final step of the body build is to attach the arms and hands.

After you finish the body, you need to build Bert’s head. The head starts with a base of yellow bricks. You then build up layers creating an inset mouth. After making the mouth, you go directly to Bert’s massive nose in the next layer. You continue adding layers and details like eyes until you reach the top of the yellow head. The last step for this build is to add the hair, which is basically a pyramid stacked on the top. Now that you have the completed head attach it to the body and have a completed build.

Things I liked:

The detail of the stripy shirt

Things I didn’t like:

The pyramid of hair

Review of nanoblock Elmo

July 14, 2022March 3, 2023shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Elmo build. Elmo is one of the Universal Studios Japan (USJ) nanoblock kits. Wondering what else is part of the USJ builds collection? Click here for a list.

Number of Pieces: 90

Difficulty Rating: 1/5

Elmo is a muppet monster that lives with his parents on Sesame Street. He is a very curious little monster.

This nanoblock set would have originally only been available at Universal Studios Japan, so I had to get it on eBay.

This build is broken into 2 parts: a body and a head. Elmo stands on a brown 10×10 base. The first step is to add the feet to the base. After adding the feet, you add the legs and the torso to the bottom. Then you add the little arms and lock the arms to the body with a brick.

Once you have completed the body, it’s time to move on to the head. The head starts with a base of red bricks. You then build the head up in layers. Unlike the other Sesame Street builds, the mouth isn’t inset and is flat with the rest of the mouth. So you simply build up the head by adding layers. They add the details of the mouth, nose, and eyes.

Things I liked:

Simple build
Unique base from the other Sesame Street