Tag Archives: nobu_tary

General Grievous, you’re taller than I expected

The buildable Technic Star Wars figures from a decade ago received generally mixed feedback, but several of the molded and printed parts were a big hit. This topic reappeared with the release of 75434 K-2SO Security Droid this year, with many builders and collectors discussing the possibility of using the molded head from the buildable K2SO instead. Builder nobu_tary takes a similar approach here with an expert build of General Grievous, using the head from the buildable figure in set 75112. This is a sizable build with a ton of great details all over. The most impressive aspect of the build is that it captures Grievous’ especially tricky shape and proportions very well, and when compared to the Technic buildable this version feels so much more like the Separatist leader that we’ve all grown to love.

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LEGO MetalGreymon is digidestined to impress

While Digimon might not have the enduring popularity of their pocket monster rivals, these cyborg creatures have a fierce intensity that some fans will never forget. Especially MetalGreymon, the Ultimate form of Agumon and basically the franchise’s Pikachu. Only if Pikachu was a cyborg T-Rex with a metal claw and purple wings. Builder nobu_tary brings the beast from the digital world into LEGO and the results are digidelightful. nobu_tary excels at building chonky little dudes, which makes for a perfect fit with the Digimon design.

You’ve seen this awesome dragon once upon a dream

Poor Prince Philip will never be among the most well-developed and nuanced of Disney characters, but there’s no denying his courage. That bravery is on full display in nobu_tary‘s LEGO rendition of Sleeping Beauty’s climactic battle. The evil fairy-turned-dragon Maleficent unleashes a stream of fire, which is perhaps my favorite part of the build—an assortment of rounded bricks capture the green flames billowing from the dragon’s maw.

Aren’t you a little short for a Stormtooper?

Perhaps he’s not quite up to the Empire’s recruitment standards, but this LEGO chibi Stormtrooper by nobu_tary is as adorable as an Ewok in armor. Come to think of it, maybe this is a post-Empire Ewok in salvaged armor? Whatever the case, it’s a fantastic little build with highly poseable limbs thanks to ball joints, and I can’t get over how good that squared-off helmet looks.

That Mickey Mouse sculpture sure is swell

Builder Nobu_Tary did something LEGO couldn’t or maybe just didn’t. They created a Mickey Mouse sculpture using only unprinted LEGO bricks. The original design by LEGO featured printed parts for the eyes to create the expression. Nobu_Tary relied on half-round tiles to do that job. To be quite honest the simplicity of this build’s facial expression really suits the early basic yet classic Mickey Mouse design. I skipped out on the official LEGO set, but I would buy this in a heartbeat! They even managed to nail the iconic Mickey Mouse pose.

The 3-in-1 Super Robot set gets an upgrade

If for some reason you were disappointed by the recent Super Robot Creator set, have no fear! Nobu Tary has constructed this large-scale version of the mech model. The build features more exaggerated proportions than the original, while maintaining a similar colour scheme. The head has a sharp pointed form, with the horns tucked in and represented by rounded tiles . The chunky boots even have hints of yellow, as seen in the Creator set, and spoiler pieces portray neat-looking ankle guards at the feet. Unfortunately, you can’t build this mech using just the parts found in the original set, but hopefully it will inspire fellow fans to recreate official sets in fun and interesting ways.

I hear the Coyote is after this one

Some old timers gripe about the wide range of colors and shapes that LEGO has introduced over the years. I respectfully ask those curmudgeons to take a gander at this exquisite Road Runner by nobu_tary, and re-evaluate their stance. Making great use of quarter circle-dome brick, arches, curved slopes, and lots of glorious purple and teal brick, this instantly recognizable transition from cartoon to LEGO would have been impossible back in the day. And the future might be even brighter, if we ever get those Mixel ball-joint connectors in anything other than shades of grey. But for now, I merely say unto you: Meep Meep and go in peace.

Looking for more Looney Tune-y goodness? Why not check out our review of the recent Collectible Minifigure set?

This upgraded Iron Man armor is ready for battle.

I recently reviewed LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 76206 Iron Man Figure and found it to be a fun, if slightly flawed, take on the ol’ Aluminum Avenger. Builder Nobu_Tary must have felt similarly, because they’ve taken a stab at giving the set an upgrade. Nobu’s approach gives the armor a thicker neck, reshapes the torso, and hides the visible hip joints beneath some inverted slopes. Plus Nobu has eliminated the need for many of the stickers on the set’s arms and legs by building out similar detail with appropriately colored tiles and slopes. If you dig the upgrades, you might want to check out Nobu’s other mech and figure builds right here.

This classic Gundam design is portrayed perfectly in LEGO form

Nobu_tary has created this accurate interpretation of the original Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam. You can tell Nobu has studied the classic design as the proportions and angles of the mech have been faithfully recreated. A white boomerang piece represents the famous “V fin”, while the dark space between the eyes is created a quarter circle tile. Around the middle section is where the cockpit would be located, which portrayed by window frames placed sideways. Even the beam rifle has the stocky proportions of its original counterpart. Let’s hope that the shield is sturdy enough, as it would often get sliced up in the anime.

There’s a snake in my boot (and an alien in my mouth)

Toy Story Mania! is an interactive ride based on Pixar’s classic film franchise that you can experience at three of Disney’s parks around the world. But you can only enter the attraction through the gaping maw of a giant Woody head at DisneySea in Tokyo; an experience that has been replicated in LEGO form by builder nobu_tary.

This build does a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of the location. The white, tan, and azure color scheme is a spot-on match for the park’s American Waterfront land. Park details like the lamps and roof spires are properly represented. The ride’s logo is effectively built into Woody’s hat. And Woody’s head is pleasantly detailed, from the cattle horns used as his eyebrows, to the row of teeth set just behind his upper lip. I am surprised to see that Buzz has to wait in line, though. You’d think he’d have some sort of VIP Fast Pass.

You wouldn’t want to meet this warrior king on the battlefield!

Here is one fearsome looking fighter. Created by Nobu Tary, this monochromatic model incorporates some interesting techniques into its design. The main helmet uses an armour piece, previously featured in the LEGO Reinhardt model. Engine cylinders form the lower section of the helmet, providing this build with a bullish appearance. In terms of the axe, the light grey at the blade’s edge contrasts nicely against dark grey which makes up the rest of the weapon. This creation demonstrates you don’t always need masses of vibrant colours to construct an impressive model. Instead, Nobu has conveyed the importance of parts usage in order to create a model with great shape and form.

The fiery third Pokémon form: Charizard

If you gotta catch ’em all, then you gotta get Charizard. The final stage of the fire-lizard Pokémon, this LEGO Charizard is seen flexing his muscles as depicted by builder nobu_tary.

Nobu_tary is well known for their craftsmanship of animals and birds in LEGO form, as well as objects and characters from Japanese culture. Charizard is another testament to their skill with bricks, using a minimalist method to capture defining features without having to cram in every detail. Yet here, every edge and corner is perfectly fitting of the mighty dragon Pokémon. The use of orange minifigure legs is an example of that: you don’t see claws exactly, but you know they’re there.

I’m also really digging the flaming tail that is characteristic of Charizard. By using a few random red sloped bricks, nobu_tary is able to quickly convey the sense of fire without having to use flame bricks. You get the same experience with Charizard’s head. No eyes, yet its still obvious who this Pokémon is.

If you’re struggling to build a highly detailed LEGO animal or robot, I have good news for you: don’t. Nobu_tary is proof that less is more. Also, if you haven’t seen nobu_tary’s parody of the Year of the Ox LEGO set, you should. It’s hilarious.