Author: shygal

Review of nanoblock Himeji Castle NBH_099

October 30, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Himeji Castle build. Himeji Castle is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_099

Country: Japan

Number of Pieces: 330

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This build begins by laying the outline of the castle and wall on the baseplate.

The next steps are adding a couple layers of bricks to create the castle and the wall.

The next steps are to add the large walls on the side of the building. These use dark grey to create the roof details on the walls. Each step also adds a layer to the castle building.

Then, a couple more layers are added to the castle before starting on the roof.

The next several steps are to create the light grey roof.

The last step was to add the trees to the baseplate. I didn’t add them when the instructions said to because I knew I would keep knocking them off when I was building the rest of the building.

This kit also came with nanoids, but I didn’t include them because I knew they didn’t match the scale.

Things I liked:

I like the various shades of grey that are used to add details to the build

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t love how the tower at the wall corner doesn’t line up with either of the walls

Review of nanoblock Mega Lucario RS NBPM_R11

October 28, 2025October 14, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBPM_R11

Number of Pieces: 580

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

The build begins with building the body and the head as 1 tower. I laid the foundation on my nanoblock pad and built up from there. As I built the tower, I added ball joints that would be used to attach the rest of the body part to the tower. It began with blue, then moved into the yellow that makes up Mega Lucario’s shirt. Then I built the head, including eyes and a nose. The back of the head was very flat, which I didn’t really like.

Next, I built and attached the ears.

Then I built the base. I was pleasantly surprised that, because of how the base is built, the finished body stayed upright. This continued through the rest of the. build while I added more sections.

Next, I built the feet and legs. The feet were identical to each other. The legs were mirrors of each other. When I attached the first leg, I needed to do a double check because not all the ball joints were lined up properly.

Next, I built and attached 2 identical arms.

Next, I built his, for lack of a better word, tail. This was straightforward but did take some careful attention to make sure the side studs went in the correct direction.

The final step was to attach the details coming off his head.

Things I liked:

I like that, due to how the stand is built, that the final build is staying upright

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t like how flat the back of his head is

Review of nanoblock Classic Camera NBH_076

October 23, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Classic Camera build. Classic Camera is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_076

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The box says Bic Camera Limited. I believe that this kit was only available at limited stores.

I began the build by laying out the base layer of bricks on my nanoblock pad. Then I added the second layer of bricks which connected the base layer together.

Then, I began to build up the camera’s sides. This means that the actual camera is hollow.

After adding a couple of layers to the sides, I built and added the base of the lens.

Then, I followed the clear directions to build the rest of the side of the camera and the lens.

Then, it was time to add the top and close the build-up. This was by far the most difficult part of the build. My build even exploded the first time, and I needed to restart.

The problem with the build comes from the fact that the back is offset. This means there is a wall of bricks that aren’t connected. While I was building, it tried to pop out. The hard part was making sure that when the camera back pops back in. The first time, it wasn’t lined up, so when I pushed down, the whole roof collapsed, causing the bricks to explode.

The final few steps are adding the details to the top of the camera.

Things I liked:

I really like how the details make the build look like a miniature camera

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t enjoy it when my build exploded while I was building it

Review of nanoblock Mega Gengar RS NBPM_R10

October 21, 2025October 14, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBPM_R10

Number of Pieces: 530

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This build it created in 3 parts. The body and the 2 arms.

I began by building the body. I laid the foundation out on my nanoblock pad.

I built the body in layers. Each layer took 2-3 steps to complete. As I got to the top of the body, it was important to keep track of which slanty pieces I was using.

The layers added the mouth, eyes, and coin on top of the head. Keeping the spines along Gengar’s lined up was a bit tricky.

The next step was to build the two arms that would connect the hands to the body.

Then I built the two hands. They are mirrors of each other. Each hand was fairly straightforward.

Once I finished each hand, I attached the arm to the hand.

The final step is to attach the arms to the body.

Things I liked:

I like that the final build is solid with connection points between the body and the hands

Things I didn’t like:

I got confused about which slanty pieces to use at some points. This meant I had to take things apart and rebuild. I’m not sure that the variation of slanty pieces adds to the final look of the build

Review of nanoblock Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile NBH_075

October 16, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile build. Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_075

Country: France

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build front view

I bought this kit used to all the bricks were combined into 1 bag. The fact that all the bricks were combined made building more difficult because it was hard to tell the difference between grey and dark grey. Most of the bricks are dark grey, and the grey is only used in 1 step.

The build begins by laying out the 4 base columns on the 20×20 base plate.

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build side view

The 4 columns are built in very straightforward layers. In the layers, the details on the inside of the arch and statues around the outside.

Then, the columns are connected in pairs by building a structure for the main building. Then, there are 2 columns.

The 2 columns continue to go up. In several steps, the instructions say where to start the layer, which is unusual but a very nice detail.

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build back view

Then, the 2 columns are connected to create the roof of the Arch. It goes up in layers. The layers switch off between dark grey and cream. At one point, the layer uses grey bricks instead of the dark grey.

The Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile is in the center of a giant roundabout. I don’t remember there being trees or street lights in the center of the roundabout, so I left them out of the build.

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build front 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I liked how the instructions included where to start a layer. This made it easier to keep things lined up.

Things I didn’t like:

I found it hard to tell the difference between the 2 greys, which means rebuilding the kit would be hard unless I was super careful taking the build apart in the first place

Review of nanoblock Kirby Fire NBCC_200

October 14, 2025June 23, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBCC_200

Number of Pieces: 280

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

This build begins with creating the base for Kirby. There are gaps in the back where the feet will go.

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 also add Kirby’s arms, cheeks, and eyes.

The next step is to build Kirby’s fire crown. This proved to be surprisingly tricky. Each step included adding a ton of bricks, and sometimes, it was hard to tell when to add a 1×1. Even when I could tell to add a brick, it was tricky to tell where exactly to add it. I wish the instructions had been more spread out so there would have been more steps.

Next is to build Kirby’s feet. They are very straightforward.

The final step is to build the stand since Kirby’s feet hang below the body but can’t hold him up.

Things I liked:

I really like the use of clear bricks to create the fire crown

Things I didn’t like:

I wish the instructions for the fire crown had been more spread out

Review of nanoblock Big Tree NBH_006

October 9, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Big Tree build. Big Tree is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_006

Country: USA

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I’m honestly not sure what “Big Tree” nanoblock is referring to with this build. I live in the USA, and there are no particular trees that I know of that have national significance.

The build begins with laying out the base bricks for the 4 trees.

The next step is a pull out set of instructions to build the main body of the tree. This is the main section of the build. The base was too large for my nanoblock pad, so I laid the bricks out on the table. It took several layers for everything to all be locked into place. Once everything was connected, the rest of the tree became very straightforward.

Under the cut there is a small build in the small direction to build the trunk to connect the tree to the base. I almost missed it while I was building the tree.

The next step is to build the 3 trees in the background. The trunks are simple towers of bricks. The tops of the tree are a little tricky to build because the instructions are so cramped. I’m not sure that I got them perfect, but I know that it at least gets the point across.

There are instructions on how to build a bunch of nanoids. I didn’t include them because I’m unsure if they fit the scale of the tree.

Things I liked:

I really enjoyed building the main body of the tree. It starts as a ring with a cross in the middle and ends up in a hollow, closed dome.

Things I didn’t like:

Overall, I felt the instructions were very cramped. I wish they had been printed front and back, but this was before nanoblock was printing double-sided directions

Review of nanoblock Kirby Ice NBCC_199

October 7, 2025June 23, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBCC_199

Number of Pieces: 250

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The build begins by creating the base of the Kirby. It takes several steps to make the base.

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 ice crown. First, a purple base is built around Kirby’s head. Then, the clear blue and clear bricks create the spiky crown.

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

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 wish there was a light blue clear brick instead of using clear bricks to create the crown

Review of nanoblock Tokyo Tower Transparent ver NBH_001R

October 2, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build. Tokyo Tower Transparent ver is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_001R

Country: Japan

Number of Pieces: 260

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build front view

This is a rerelease of the original Tokyo Tower (NBH_001). It was released using clear red bricks for nanoblock’s 10 anniversary.

The build began by laying bricks out on the base. This includes some tree trucks, the supports for the tower, and the building under the tower.

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build side view

The next few steps add to the supports of the tower and create the building under the tower. I didn’t add the treetops at this point because I didn’t want to need to look out for the tree while I was building the tower.

The next couple steps of the build require building a structure of the tower and then adding that structure to the tower. There is also a tower of dark grey bricks going up the tower’s center. I don’t like how visible the grey bricks are.

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build back view

After adding 3 structures that were built off the tower, it is time to finish the tower. The instructions for each layer are very clear.

The last step for me was to put the tops of the trees.

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I really like the clear red bricks and how they changed the color to create the tower

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t like how visible the center dark grey tower is in the build

Review of nanoblock Cinnamoroll Clear Version NBCC_209

September 30, 2025January 29, 2025shygal

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

Number: NBCC_209

Number of Pieces: 130

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Cinnamoroll Clear Version build front view

The first step is to build the head. It takes about 6 to make the main section of the head. At that time, I added the mouth, cheeks, and eyes.

Cinnamoroll Clear Version build side view

The next step is to build the ears. They are very straightforward and are built and attached in 1 step.

The next step is to build the body. This was fairly straightforward. When I added the legs and the clear brick to stabilize the build.

Cinnamoroll Clear Version build back view

The last step is to attach the head to the body. When I added the head, the body became very tippy.

Cinnamoroll Clear Version build front 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I really like the clear white bricks that are used for this build

Things I didn’t like:

The build is tippy and likes to fall over