Tag Archives: N.A.B.E_mocs

We’re howling with praise for this LEGO model of Studio Ghibli’s iconic Moving Castle

Studio Ghibli films are known for unusual and fanciful vehicles like the floating castle of Laputa from Castle in the Sky, or the glider from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, but few vehicles are more iconic than the walking, and at the end of the film, flying, castle belonging to the enigmatic magician Howl. The enchanted structure made from buildings, round cannon turrets, fishlike fins, and a large rusty face complete with riveted tongue, all walking along on four spindly chicken legs, poses many challenges to any builder, but Sakiya Watanabe works magic and brings it to life in bricks like never before.

When building something so iconic, choosing the right parts can be challenging, as there is nothing conventional about the outer surface of the castle. How do you form a cohesive model out of such a chaotic inspiration? (I’ve tried myself once before – it wasn’t easy!)

Read on to learn how Sakiya Watanabe weaved his LEGO magic and tamed Howl’s famous castle

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This LEGO bald eagle is a soaring success!

It wasn’t too long ago that we showed you all a work-in-progress shot of a delightful LEGO bald eagle head, made by the talent that is Sakiya Watanabe. Well, now it’s time to see the work in all it’s proper glory! And as impressive as the design of that head is, I’m slack jawed taking in the entire scene. I love the use of clear elements to simulate a splash of water as the fish (with scales made from pirate ship sails) attempts to plunge back in. But the eagle definitely seems keen on catching dinner, with its plumage made of reddish brown palm leaves and it’s aforementioned head stuck in a glare of determination. This is definitely a creation I hope to see in person soon!

2025 goal? Gains like this Colossal Titan!

We’ve seen some amazing Attack on Titan LEGO creations in the years since the hit anime took off, but this latest take of the Colossal Titan from builder Sakiya Watanabe is hands down the most… sinewy? Amazing parts usage for the muscles is on full display, such as what I believe are Hero Factory fists wrapped in rubber bands for the abs, crowbars for the trapezius, and oh so many tails for the pecs. Bruh is totally ripped. Must be all the protein in Survey Corps soldiers.

Craving more anime builds? We also loved the builder’s amazing LEGO Angel from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

How to feather a LEGO eagle [Building Technique]

We’ve marveled in the past at the strong LEGO work of Sakiya Watanabe. But this close up of a WIP they’re working on allows us some better insight into the parts that can create a biological texture like feathers. A cacophany of bars, clips, and claws, it all comes together to form quite the eagle head.

Hark, an Angel! sirens ring

Sachiel, the third Angel, has arrived in LEGO courtesy of Sakiya Watanabe (N.A.B.E _mocs), and I don’t think it brings good tidings. Sakiya employs some devilish parts usage in this recreation of the Evangelion enemy. Strings of rubber tires give the limbs an organic effect. Black wing elements tightly tucked into the torso are nearly invisible until you zoom in to appreciate the subtle texture. A white cloth cape for the face is especially unsettling. Sakiya has only recently begun sharing Bioncle and constraction builds but is already finding fans. The builder’s hockey mask tiki tower was one of the most popular builds with readers this year!

Forgotten LEGO Hockey heroes reborn as Tiki totems

One of LEGO’s oddest experiments was a short-lived, Bionicle-adjacent collaboration with the NHL that saw robotic hockey players like Puck Passer and Slammer Goalie slapping pucks into Technic goals. Sakiya Watanabe (N.A.B.E _mocs) resurrects these esoteric elements to create a tiki-style totem pole. Hockey masks aren’t the only clever parts usage; the builder also employs a pair of troll arms for mossy rocks, and the gear racks from Lloyd’s Golden Ultra Dragon hint at further ruins hidden behind the tropical vines. A new builder on the Flickr scene, N.A.B.E _mocs has only shared three builds so far and each employs new techniques and parts. We also loved the builder’s spot-on General Grievous bust.

This LEGO bust would make a fine addition to any collection

One thing that Star Wars – and especially – the prequels, for their flaws – does really well is villains. One look at Darth Maul or the Emperor and there’s no doubting which side they’re on. But really, none of them looked as villainous as the skeletal General Grievous, whose likeness has been captured by Sakiya Watanabe (N.A.B.E_mocs). In builds where the cybernetic and natural collide, texture can be a useful tool to differentiate between the two, and this is a fantastic example. Grievous’ armour is almost entirely studless. It’s wonderfully organically shaped, too – a touch of irony therein, perhaps! In contrast, his fleshy bits (for want of a better phrase) are rougher. His esophagus (I think that’s what it is) is all studded plates, while the red eyes use anti-studs to perfectly accentuate their organic nature.