Cool

The smallest toy brick in the world comes to HYPER JAPAN

Ever since they first hit the shelves in Japan in October 2008, Nanoblock have gained a huge following through the toy and gift markets. Nanoblock can be found on the shelves of Japan’s funkiest stores, such as Loft and Tokyo Hands.

These tiny blocks – at their smallest 4x4x5mm – can be used to create highly detailed miniature 3D models. Three series are currently available in the UK, and will be on show at HYPER JAPAN: ‘Miniature Collection’, which contains popular animals and instruments, the ‘Sights to See’ which includes famous landmarks from around the globe and for the real enthusiast, the ‘Advanced Hobby’ series with models reaching 5,800 pieces (the amazing Castle Neuschwanstein) and boasting 20 hours of build time.

Nanoblock are a truly Japanese product. Japan has a history of miniaturising everything from trees to CD players to cars. Maybe it comes from the sense that space is limited in Japan: although it’s nearly twice the size in area of the UK, there are plenty of mountain ranges limiting inhabitable space for the 120 million people living there. But as well as economising with space, Japanese aesthetics  are all about detail, precision and refinement – that’s why their most famous poetic export, the haiku, only has 17 syllables. Small is good in Japan, which is why Nanoblock are so popular, too: with the basic unit size so small, the models can be built with a much greater degree of accuracy than if using larger blocks.

Visit the Nanoblock stand at HYPER JAPAN 2011 to get a close-up look at these awesome kits and find out more about the collection.

Nanoblock are distributed in the UK by Asholay Distribution. Founded by Chief Executive Ashley Yeates in 2010, Asholay Distribution aims to bring the most exciting products from around the globe to the UK market, which may have been overlooked or missed by others. With Nanoblock as their launch platform, they are always looking for the next big thing, as well as developing their own line of exciting products.

Click here to buy tickets for HYPER JAPAN 2011.