mitsuru nikaido uses LEGO to create mecha-style animal characters

 

japanese LEGO enthusiast mitsuru nikaido reimagines animals of land and sea as mechanical characters made out of the famous danish building blocks. the intricate works present a wide range of species, including a walrus, snail, shoebill, cicada, and even a triceratops. the sculptures are almost exclusively composed of gray and white blocks, forming semi-articulate, robot-like creatures. 

intricate LEGO sculptures by mitsuru nikaido reimagine animals as mecha-style robots
LEGO mecha snail

all images by mitsuru nikaido|@mitsuru_nikaido

 

 

grayscale palette and cyberpunk aesthetics 

 

mitsuru nikaido has been creating LEGO sculptures for many years, with his extensive collection including a vast variety of animals. all of his works adopt a signature style, with a grayscale color palette and cyberpunk aesthetics. the kurashiki-based builder uses gray and white bricks to form characters with spring-loaded limbs, swinging tails, and hinged legs. sometimes, the elaborate sculptures incorporate pops of color to accentuate specific features, like eyes or beaks. 

 

all of nikaido’s works are available for view on his personal social media, and some pieces can even be purchased through his website. meanwhile, a selection of nikaido’s mecha sculptures is also on display at the lego house in denmark. 

intricate LEGO sculptures by mitsuru nikaido reimagine animals as mecha-style robots
LEGO mecha shoebill

intricate LEGO sculptures by mitsuru nikaido reimagine animals as mecha-style robots
LEGO mecha nautilus

intricate LEGO sculptures by mitsuru nikaido reimagine animals as mecha-style robots
LEGO mecha gecko

intricate LEGO sculptures by mitsuru nikaido reimagine animals as mecha-style robots
LEGO mecha walrus

intricate LEGO sculptures by mitsuru nikaido reimagine animals as mecha-style robots
LEGO mecha triceratops

 

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LEGO mecha shoebill
LEGO mecha shoebill
LEGO mecha puffer fish
LEGO mecha puffer fish
LEGO mecha chameleon
LEGO mecha chameleon
LEGO mecha water bear
LEGO mecha water bear
LEGO mecha naked mole-rat
LEGO mecha naked mole-rat
LEGO mecha cicada
LEGO mecha cicada
LEGO mecha centipede
LEGO mecha centipede
LEGO mecha octopus
LEGO mecha octopus

project info: 

 

name: LEGO machine creatures
artist: mitsuru nikaido