Anime has been popular for many years. The first anime was created in 1917. Modern anime was created in 1956, and it became popular in 1961.
The wonderful world of anime is still going strong today. In fact, you can find anime merchandise in the form of toys and collectibles, such as Nanoblock.
I know how difficult it can be to choose the best set for your collection. It is also difficult if you are gift-shopping for another fan because you want to ensure you are surprising them with a great set.
This is why I wanted to put together a guide to finding the best anime sets on the market today.
As you read through my guide, you can find the following:
- My list of the best Nanoblock anime sets
- Details of each set that is on my list
- Instructions for some sets on my list
- A buyer’s guide to choosing the best sets for your collection
- Videos and quotes from other fans
As always, I made sure to do my research on various blogs and websites. I have also looked at different videos and taken my own experience into consideration for my guide.
My goal is to make it easier for you to choose the best anime sets for yourself or your recipient.
My Top Pick
Whenever I put together a review of the best Nanoblock anime sets, I like to start with my top pick and other great sets. I feel it starts my guide off on the right foot.
Son Goku →
What’s inside?
- Comes with 110 pieces
- The smallest bricks are 4 x 5 mm
- Comes with step-by-step instructions
- Stands approximately 2.9 inches tall
- Features accurate details, right down to the hair and facial features
Killer feature
- The well-known spiked hair of this Dragon Ball Z character
Buying Options
The Son Goku set is my top pick because of the accurate details. The model is very similar to the actual character, from his spiked hair to his orange and blue outfit. It is easy to build this character with precise instructions, and it is even easier to display the finished product with secure, high-tolerance pieces.
If you are looking for another great franchise to add to your collection, look no further than the beloved Sonic The Hedgehog. You can check out my review for the Sonic set by clicking here.
Also Great
I feel the following anime sets are also great for your collection.
Snorlax →
What’s inside?
- Comes with 220 pieces
- The smallest bricks are 4 x 5 mm
- Includes step-by-step instructions
- Stands approximately 2.5 inches tall
- Limited availability
Killer feature
- The adorable shape of this popular Pokémon character
Buying Options
The Snorlax set is a great addition because it looks just like the popular character, from its round shape to its squinted eyes. The set comes with step-by-step instructions to create an easier building experience. Snorlax is considered an entry-level building set.
You can find a wide range of Nanoblock Pokémon characters, from Pikachu to Charmander. In this article, I share some of the best Pokémon sets.
Vegeta →
What’s inside?
- Comes with 130 pieces
- The smallest bricks are 4 x 5 mm
- Includes step-by-step instructions
- Stands approximately 2.2 inches tall
- Considered an entry-level building set
Killer feature
- The red scouter, which is made of translucent blocks
Buying Options
The Vegeta set is a great addition to your collection because of the accurate details, from the red scouter to the spiked hair. The set comes with precise, easy-to-follow instructions and can be displayed on flat surfaces.
Buyer’s Guide
In an effort to help you choose the best sets for your collection, I have put together a buyer’s guide on how to choose Nanoblock sets.
The guide is broken down into two sections to ensure you consider every aspect of a set before making a purchase. You can also use it as a guide to shopping for other anime fans.
I hope my buyer’s guide is helpful in choosing a set for yourself or your recipient.
Step One: How Many Pieces?
It never hurts to check the number of pieces in a set before making a purchase.
You may want to keep it simple with less than 200 pieces, or maybe you want to test your skills with a set of 400 pieces. There are even sets with as many as 1,000 pieces to present a fun challenge.
Of course, you should also ensure the number of pieces in a set is right for your recipient.
The number of pieces can be found on the packaging, and the total count usually includes the extra pieces.
Step Two: Difficulty Level
It is also important to check the difficulty level of each set before making a purchase. You may be just getting started in the world of building sets, or maybe you want to test your skills by moving up a difficulty level.
Of course, you also want to check the difficulty level to ensure you are purchasing the best set for your recipient. This way, you can rest assured that they are going to enjoy their new set.
The standard sets are based on a difficulty scale of one to five. One is the easiest level on the scale, and five is the most advanced level on the scale.
Level one sets are ideal for those who are just getting their feet wet in building sets, and level five sets are ideal for those who are experienced in building sets.
Level two and three sets are great for those who want a set that is not too easy or too difficult, and level four sets can be used as a way to prepare for a level five set.
The difficulty level of each set can be found on the packaging. It is usually indicated with a small illustration.
For example, Helloteri shows you how to find the difficulty level of the Snorlax set.
To quote this blogger,
“As you can see there are 3 Pokéballs next to the chibi version of the Snorlax, which indicates the difficulty level, which is out of 5.”
If you love Hello Kitty, you may want to add the sets of this beloved character to your collection. In this article, I explore some of the best Hello Kitty sets.
|
1. Son Goku →Best for building a Dragon Ball Z character with details that are true to the animation. |
|
|
2. Snorlax →Best for building a Pokémon character that stands over 2 inches tall. |
|
|
3. Vegeta →Best for using translucent pieces to bring attention to small but important details. |
|
 |
4. Hatsune Miku →Best for building a character with an adjustable element. |
|
 |
5. Piccolo→Best for building a Dragon Ball Z character with just 100 pieces. |
|
 |
6. Evangelion Test Type-01 →Best for building a popular, compact character with over 200 pieces. |
|
 |
7. Great Mazinger →Best for building one of the tallest sets with 400 pieces. |
It is finally time to review the Nanoblock anime sets on my list. My mission is to share the information you need to make your next purchase an easier experience.
1. Son Goku
The Son Goku set allows you to build a compact 3D design of the popular Dragon Ball Z character. It is full of characters that make it easy to identify this character, such as the spiked hair, dark eyes and orange and blue outfit. Once assembled, Son Goku stands approximately 2.9 tall. The set comes with step-by-step instructions, but it does not include a display baseplate. However, you can easily display this character on a flat surface.
Number of Pieces: 110
Ages: 15 and older
Difficulty: Level 3
Time To Build: 20 to 30 minutes
Why I Choose It: I chose Son Goku because I love the accurate details of this character, especially the spiked hair and orange and blue outfit. The compact design makes him easy to display without taking up a lot of space on my shelf, but it is still easy to find him among the other finished models.
In this video, Lil Bricks gives you an idea of how to build the Son Goku character. It is a speed-build video that is less than one minute, so you do not have to worry about losing too much building time.
Buying Options
2. Snorlax
The Snorlax set gives you the opportunity to build a 3D design of this popular bear-inspired Pokémon. You can find all the details that represent this character, such as the squinted eyes and round body. Once you assemble Snorlax, it stands at 2.5 inches tall. It is one of the tallest models in the Pokémon collection. The set comes with precise instructions, a display baseplate and extra pieces.
Number of Pieces: 220.
Ages: 15 and older.
Difficulty: Level 3.
Time To Build: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Why I Choose It: It is hard to resist the adorable bear-inspired creature from the Pokémon series. The squinted eyes only enhance this precious but tough creature. It is also rated at level three to create a model that is not too easy or too difficult to build. I believe Snorlax is a must-have for any Pokémon collection.
You can find the Pokémon Snorlax set instructions online for easy access.
Toy Sky shows you how to build Snorlax in this video. It also gives you an idea of how big Snorlax is once it is completely assembled. The video is less than 10 minutes long.
Buying Options
3. Vegeta
Build this popular Dragon Ball Z character with the Vegeta set. The details of this character range from the spiked hair to the red scouter, and the scouter can be built with red translucent bricks. Once assembled, Vegeta stands approximately 2.2 tall to create a compact design that is easy to pick from a crowd. The set comes with step-by-step instructions and extra pieces to create a smooth building experience.
Number of Pieces: 130
Ages: 15 and older
Difficulty: Level 3
Time To Build: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Why I Choose It: There is something about translucent bricks that always catch my attention, and the red translucent bricks make Vegeta’s scouter stand out from the other details of this model. Of course, I also love his spiked hair and colorful outfit. Finally, I love that the set offers a bit of a challenge to build a character that is over 2 inches tall.
If you prefer video tutorials, you may enjoy this video from A Nerd Named Mark. Mark shares a Twitch Stream VOD he captured while building the Vegeta set. The stream is a little over 30 minutes to give you an idea of how to build this character.
Buying Options
4. Hatsune Miku
The Hatsune Miku set allows you to build a 3D model of the Charanano character. With features such as her long blue hair and adjustable twin tail, it is easy for this model to stand out from the crowd. Once assembled, Hatsune Miku stands 115 mm by 81 mm by 50 mm to create a compact design of this character. The set includes precise instructions and extra pieces to make it easier to build Hatsune Miku.
Number of Pieces: 300
Ages: Ages: 15 and older
Difficulty: Level 3
Time To Build: 4 hours
Why I Choose It: I cannot get over the blue and black color scheme of the Hatsune Miku set. It just stands out from the other models in my collection. The adjustable twin tail is a nice touch because I can turn it to my preferred angle. I also love how it comes with a display piece instead of a baseplate because it is easier to showcase this character in an epic pose.
You have the opportunity to get to know Hatsune Miku in this video. HatsuneMiku shares an animated performance of the popular character as she shares her talent with her fans. If you are new to Charanano, this is a fun way to learn more about this character.
Buying Options
5. Piccolo
The Piccolo set allows you to build a 3D model of this colorful Dragon Ball Z character. You can find details such as its green skin, dark eyes and purple and blue outfit on this model, which is perfect for identifying Piccolo. Once assembled, Piccolo stands approximately 2.2 inches tall. It is ideal for beginners because it is a level two set with 100 pieces. The set includes step-by-step instructions and extra pieces.
Number of Pieces: 100
Ages: 8 and older
Difficulty: Level 2
Time To Build: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Why I Choose It: The first thing I notice on this model is the range of colors, from the green skin to the purple and blue outfit to the orange shoes. I could not resist adding such a colorful character to my collection. It is also a great set for those who are just getting started in building their favorite anime characters.
This is a great choice for fans who like to check out time-lapse videos of their favorite character sets. In this video, Jamescruise shares a time-lapse video of the construction of Piccolo. You also get a glimpse of the packaging, instructions and finished model.
Buying Options
6. Evangelion Test Type-01
The Evangelion Test Type-01 set gives you the opportunity to build this popular character of the Evangelion series. It features accurate details that make it easy to identify this character, such as the purple armor and green, black and yellow elements. The finished product is small enough to fit in your hand. However, the armor and elements make it easy to find Evangelion in your collection. It also includes precise instructions to make it easier to build this character.
Are you looking to learn more about the Evangelion Test Type-01 set? You can find my full review of the Evangelion set by clicking here.
Number of Pieces: 290
Ages: 12 and older
Difficulty: Level 3
Time To Build: 30 minutes
Why I Choose It: I love how true the details are to the actual Evangelion character. You are building a compact design of Evangelion, but it is not difficult to notice the purple armor with green, black and yellow details. It only takes about 30 minutes to put together this set, which is perfect for children and adults.
The blogger of From Japan is also satisfied with the accurate details of the Evangelion model.
To quote this blogger,
“Capturing the sleek build of the famous Evangelion Unit-01, this articulated Nanoblock set is one any Evangelion fan would be proud to add to their collection. Whether posed in standby or Berserk Mode, its brilliant color scheme and detailed design make it a beautiful piece from any angle.”
Learn how to build the Evangelion Test Type-01 set by following this video tutorial from Eva Monkey. The video is almost two hours to ensure you have everything you need to build this popular character.
Buying Options
7. Great Mazinger
The Great Mazinger set allows you to build a 3D design of this Charanano character. This set features accurate details that are true to the character, such as its colorful armor. Standing at 3.98 inches tall, the Great Mazinger set is one of the tallest anime sets in this guide. The set comes with step-by-step instructions, a display baseplate and extra pieces to create a smooth building experience.
Number of Pieces: 400
Ages: 15 and older
Difficulty: Level 3
Time To Build: 1 to 2 hours
Why I Choose It: It is no secret that variety is the spice of life, and this is why I feel the Great Mazinger set is a great addition to any collection. You have the opportunity to add a taller model to your collection, and you can add more color to your collection with the multicolored armor. I also love that the set offers an exciting challenge that puts your skills to the test.
Toy Toy shows you how to build the Great Mazinger set in this video. The best part is, you can learn how to build the model using the Nanoblock tweezers. This video is less than 10 minutes long to give you time to put together your set.
Buying Options
Other Must-Haves
It never hurts to look into accessories that make putting together your anime set an easier experience. You can also find accessories that give you a safe, fun way to display your finished models. I call these items must-have accessories because they are essential to any collection.
Nanoblock Collection Case (NB038)
You never want to display an important model in a spot where it is easily hidden or damaged. Luckily, the Collection Case provides a safe, easy way to display your finished set. It features a display baseplate inside an acrylic case to secure your model. You can even create a bigger display by connecting several cases together.
Nanoblock Tweezers
The Nanoblock Tweezers make it easier to grab and pick up the micro-sized blocks as you build your latest creation. This pair of tweezers measures 4.7 inches to bring you a lightweight tool that is easy to grip and use. It is a must-have for anyone who feels frustrated when picking up the tiny blocks in a set.
LED Display Base
If you are looking for a fun way to display your finished set, look no further than the LED Display Base. The base lights up your model in alternating green, red, white and blue lights. It measures 4 inches by 4 inches to fit various sets, and you can power this LED base with a USB port or batteries.
Enhance Your Nanoblock Collection With The Best Anime Set
You can use my buyer’s guide and set reviews to choose the best Nanoblock anime sets for your collection. Of course, you may want to add the must-have accessories to your list. My goal is to help you find the best sets on the market today.