Shy Gal’s Building Blog

Review of nanoblock Nautilus NBC_192

July 31, 2025August 21, 2024shygal

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This post is a review of the nanoblock Nautilus build. Nautilus is part of the nanoblock Mini Collection series. Wondering what else is part of the Mini Collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBC_192

Number of Pieces: 170

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The Nautilus is an ancient distant relative of a squid. This is a very interesting build because it is built from the back, and the base is built into the finished build.

The build begins with a base layer that will become the back of the finished Nautilus. I laid the bricks out on my nanoblock pad.

The build goes up in very straightforward layers. The base is built off the Nautilus, added to the build, and locked into place in the next layers.

I had difficulty reading step 6 to see how the first layer was added. This is the layer where the eyes are added. Since all the bricks had an overhang on the layer before, it wasn’t clear how they were attached.

Then, I finished the main body of the Nautilus. The next several steps is adding the tentacles.

The last step is to flip the build onto its clear base so it looks like the Nautilus is floating.

Things I liked:

I like how it looks like the Nautilus is floating

Things I didn’t like:

I wish step 6 had been clearer for how to add the bricks to the build

Review of nanoblock Clodsire RS NBPM_R09

July 29, 2025July 11, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBPM_R09

Number of Pieces: 490

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This kit comes with 2 different builds. There is a model with the spines down and a model with the spines up. The build is identical until the final steps of adding the spines.

The build begins by laying out the base layer of bricks. I used my nanoblock pad. Over the first 15 steps, I created the base 2 layers of the build. I kept building small chunks that connected to the main base section.

After creating the base, Clodsire goes up in layers. Each layer includes at least 2 steps. First, there is the back section. Then there is the front section. The fact that each layer is split means that there aren’t too many bricks to add in a given step.

One of the hardest parts was figuring out which slanted pieces to use. Normally, when nanoblock uses the 2 slanted pieces in the photo of where to add parts, it marks which to use. Instead, in this kit, it says which slanted piece to use and which bricks to use in each step. It was only confusing because it is unusual.

Clodsire goes up in layers, adding the Camel and Brown bricks to each layer. The Brown bricks begin at the tail and flow into the front of the build.

Eventually, the front of the head is closed up and topped off with flat bricks.

Next, I built the feet and added them to the build.

This is where the build splits into 2 options. The difference is how the spines look.

If I didn’t want the spines raised, I was able to drop in 6 bricks that look like spots on Clodsire’s back.

If I wanted the spines raised, I built the spines. I needed to be careful because the direction of the bricks mattered to get the slants in the spines correct.

Things I liked:

I like that there are 2 models, even though it meant I needed to buy 2 kits

Things I didn’t like:

The bottom section of the mouth kept popping out of place, which was frustrating

Review of nanoblock Rabbit NBC_179

July 24, 2025August 21, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Rabbit build. Rabbit is part of the nanoblock Mini Collection series. Wondering what else is part of the Mini Collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBC_179

Number of Pieces: 120

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

This kit began by laying the base layer on my nanoblock pad. The base layer was grey.

The body goes up in straightforward layers. After a few layers, white is added to create the neck of the rabbit.

The next step is to build and attach the head. Once again, I started working on my nanoblock pad. I added the nose, eyes, and ears as the head goes up in layers. Then, I flipped the head over and attached bricks to build more of the neck.

Then, I attached the head to the body of the rabbit.

The last section is to build the flowers. I found keeping the flowers square to be a bit tricky because of the rounded bricks.

Things I liked:

I like how the rabbit has the white collar and the added details

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t love how the rabbit’s ears look. It was ok from the front, but the pink wouldn’t be visible from the back

Review of nanoblock Tandemaus RS NBPM_R08

July 22, 2025July 11, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBPM_R08

Number of Pieces: 370

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

Tandemaus is a Pokemon that is made up of 2 mice. They appear identical from a distance, but up close, one is wearing a shirt and the other is wearing pants.

The first step is to build 2 identical heads. I built the heads simultaneously by adding bricks to each head every step.

The build begins by creating a base segment of bricks that is 2 layers high. It takes 5 steps to complete the head.

Then I added the eyes and nose to the head.

Next, I built up the back of the head in straightforward layers.

Then I built the ears off the head chunks. I needed to build a total of 4 ears. Then I attached the ears to the heads.

Next, I followed a few steps to create the front of the head.

Then it was time to build the different bodies. They are very similar, but there are steps that are different in the build.

First, I built the body that is wearing pants. It began with a base layer I laid out on my nanoblock pad. I then added a couple of layers to the body.

Then I added the pieces to balance the build and to attach the tail.

Then I added the legs. Next, I attached the head.

Then I built the arms and attached them to the body.

Finally, I built and attached the tail.

Second, I built the body that is wearing a shirt. It began with a base layer I laid out on my nanoblock pad. I then added a couple of layers to the body.

Then I added the pieces to balance the build and to attach the tail.

Then I added the legs. Next, I attached the head.

Then I built the arms and attached them to the body.

Finally, I built and attached the tail.

Things I liked:

I like that the bodies are not identical and that there is a bit of variation

Things I didn’t like:

The eyes aren’t held in super strongly, so I kept popping them off while I was building the head

Review of nanoblock Sea Otter NBC_110

July 17, 2025August 21, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Sea Otter build. Sea Otter is part of the nanoblock Mini Collection series. Wondering what else is part of the Mini Collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBC_110

Number of Pieces: 90

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Based on the sign, I believe this kit was only available at the Osaka Aquarium.

This is a very unusual build because the final build isn’t attached to the base.

I began the build by laying out the body on my nanoblock pad. The body went up in straightforward layers. I also attached the tail as well.

Then I flipped the build over and added the clam and legs.

Next, I built and added the head. I also added the paws.

The final step was to place the stand on the base. Then I added the otter to the base on its back, but it didn’t connect it just lay on the stand.

I also built the sign for the Osaka Aquarium.

Things I liked:

I really like how the body of the otter looks, and I feel that that body does look like an otter

Things I didn’t like:

I feel that the finished head looks funny. Maybe I didn’t get it posed well

Review of nanoblock Pawmi RS NBPM_R07

July 15, 2025July 11, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBPM_R07

Number of Pieces: 470

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

The build begins with several steps to create the base layer. It takes 6 steps to make the entire base.

The main body goes up in layers. In general, it takes 2 steps to complete an entire layer. The spacing is nice, and it means that each step isn’t crammed.

After adding several layers, the body is closed up. Then I began to work on the face. The first step is to add the nose.

After a few more layers, I added Pawmi’s great big eyes. They are huge for a nanoblock Pokemon build.

Then I built up the head. As I built the head, I added the puff at the front of Pawmi’s face and its ears.

The next step is to build the cheeks. I initially attached them to the wrong place, but it was easy to fix once I realized the error.

The next step is to build the front paws.

Then it was time to build the back paws. I was happy that the build still stood ok after the legs were attached.

The final step is to build the tail. The tail was straightforward. However, the tail is attached by sticking a round 1×1 into a socket joint. I don’t like it when nanoblock does this because it stretches out the socket, which makes it harder to reuse.

Things I liked:

I think this is one of the cutest builds that nanoblock has built for the Pokemon line

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t like it when round pieces are stuck into socket joints

Review of nanoblock Lion NBC_170

July 10, 2025August 21, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Lion build. Lion is part of the nanoblock Mini Collection series. Wondering what else is part of the Mini Collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBC_170

Number of Pieces: 140

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

I began this build by laying the base layer on my nanoblock pad. It was a combination of gold and brown bricks.

I added the layers to create the body and the back of the mane of the lion.

The next step was to build the face of the lion. This section was built off the main build. It contained a bunch of off-center bricks, so I couldn’t line it up on my pad. It was a bit tricky to line everything up.

Then, I built the rest of the head and curved around to close the mane. This is also where I added the eyes and ears.

Next, I added some details to the base of the base of the build. This is where I learned that I was missing a brick and wouldn’t be able to build the Lion completely right. There is supposed to be another brick at the base of the mane. Since it wasn’t a support brick, I continued on the build and finished the rest of the build.

The next step was to build the legs. The legs are each built individually, so it looks like the lion is walking. I really like the dynamic aspect of the build.

The final step is to build the tail, which is very straightforward.

Things I liked:

I really like how the legs look like the lion is walking because the legs aren’t symmetrical

Things I didn’t like:

This kit didn’t have all the bricks required to build it in a new kit

Review of nanoblock Kirby Sword NBCC_201

July 8, 2025January 25, 2025shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Kirby Sword build. Kirby Sword is part of the nanoblock Character collection. Wondering what else is part of the Character collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBCC_201

Number of Pieces: 210

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The build begins by creating the base of the Kirby. It took several steps to make the base, which looked a little odd. I decided it was likely because Kirby had his feet spread out mid-step.

After the base is created, the main body of Kirby is built. These steps use the custom-printed blocks, which I much prefer to stickers. In the steps to make the body, you add Kirby’s arms, cheeks, and eyes.

The following section is about building the green hat. First, a base of yellow is built around Kirby’s head. Then green is added, making smaller and smaller layers to close up the Kirby build. At the end, a yellow poof is added to the hat.

The next step is to build and attach Kirby’s feet. Since they are in an action pose, the legs aren’t identical.

The final step is to build the sword. The sword was very straightforward. Once the sword is built, it is placed in Kirby’s hand.

Things I liked:

I really like how dynamic the pose is for Kirby. He really does appear to be midstep

Things I didn’t like:

I feel that his hat still looks a bit chunky for how dynamic the rest of the pose is

Review of nanoblock Bluefin Tuna NBC_116

July 3, 2025August 21, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Bluefin Tuna build. Bluefin Tuna is part of the nanoblock Mini Collection series. Wondering what else is part of the Mini Collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBC_116

Number of Pieces: 160

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I believe this is a limited release and is only available at Tokyo Sea Life Park. The sticker on my package came with a sticker that said 25th anniversary, but I’m not sure which one.

The first step is building 2 base layer sections and connecting them. I tried, but I couldn’t use my nanoblock pad as a base because some squares were not lined up.

The rest of the tuna’s body goes up in layers, rounding out the body and closing it up.

Then, the fins and tail are added.

The last step is to connect the tuna to the base.

Things I liked:

I like that there are a number of limited releases including this one, I feel that it would make a special souvenir while traveling. It does make it harder to collect the kits.

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t like when bricks are stuck in ball socket joints to create eyes

Review of nanoblock Arcanine NBPM_106

July 1, 2025June 23, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBPM_106

Number of Pieces: 150

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

The first 3 steps of this build create the base of the Arcanine. I was able to build them on my nanoblock pad so everything lined up nicely.

After creating the base, Arcanine is built by adding layers of bricks. These create the fur in front, the fur that will act as a connector for the tail, the stripes, and the main body. Each step was clear and straightforward.

Then I began to focus on the head. In layers, I added fangs, eyes, nose, and ears, all in the fur that engulfs Arcanine’s head.

After finishing the head, it was time to add details to complete the build.

First, I built the tail on my nanoblock pad. I needed to be careful that I connected the sections in correctly so that there was proper flow to the tail.

Then I built the legs on the left and right. Building the legs was easy, but I had a hard time figuring out where exactly on Arcanine the legs connected to keep the stripes correct.

Things I liked:

I like his fluffy fur that captures the fur on the pokemon

Things I didn’t like:

It wasn’t clear where to connect the legs to the body