What is the Nano Banana AI Figurine craze? Step-by-step guide to making own
The viral "Nano Banana" trend is taking over social media, with users creating hyper-realistic 3D figurine-style images using Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash Image AI. These toy-like collectibles are free to make and can be generated in seconds with just a photo and prompt.
The Nano Banana trend by Google has dominated the social media feeds; it has started a new generation of 3D figurines that are quirky and hyper-realistic and belong directly to a collectible shop. From TikTok to Instagram and X, users are uploading shinier, miniature personalities which are not hand-crafted toys but generated images using AI, specifically the Gunini 2.5 Flash Image model, made by Google. The output has been lovingly called Nano Banana by the internet because it has a small, shiny, toy-like feel.
The attraction is the fact that the trend is so easy to follow. It takes only a few clicks to make a figurine version of any person, pet or even a celebrity, without the need to have advanced skills or to spend money. The effect is glittering, smooth, and immediately shareable, so it is not a surprise that the trend has already registered more than 200 million creations across the globe.
What exactly is a Nano Banana?
Nano Bananas are 3D images in figurine form which are created by AI and resemble actual collectible toys. They are not the physical models but instead digitalised artworks that resemble miniatures mounted on shiny acrylic surfaces or even sealed in the toyish boxes. Their realistic characters, facial expressions and clothing feel are what make them go viral.
Why did the trend explode?
Its availability contributes to the boom of Nano Banana. The Gemini 2.5 Flash Image by Google has enabled users to just upload a photo, type text or a combination of both and get the results immediately. The fad has been taken on board by influencers, content makers, and even politicians to become what was once a niche project but is now a mainstream trend almost overnight.
How to create own figurine
- Open Google AI Studio – available in the Gemini app or site.
- Select an option – upload a photo and add a text prompt, or a text prompt alone.
- Use the official prompt; Google suggests:
- "Create a 1/7 scale intelligent figurine in the picture, in a realistic style, in a real environment. The figurine is plattered on a computer desk. The figurine has a round transparent acrylic base, with no text on the base. The content on the screen in the ZBrush modelling process of this figurine. Next to the computer screen is a BANDAI-style toy packaging box with printing. The packaging features a two-dimensional flat illusion.”
- Create and find better – click Generate, edit the picture, and adjust prompts as necessary until you have your preferred figurine.