how to spot fake anime figures

by D'angelo Rath 7 min read
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How Do You Tell The Difference Between Authentic And Fake/bootleg Anime Figures?

  1. Packaging/Box Art Fake figures manufacturers try hard to imitate the real thing as closely as possible. ...
  2. The Figure itself Most sellers or businesses would not let you open the box up to check the figure. ...
  3. Pricing

How can you tell if a figure is real or fake?

One of the most common ways to tell if a figure is real or fake is by the location to which the seller resides. Hong Kong and other parts of China are known to distribute the majority of non-authentic figures so be careful when buying from there. In addition to seller location there are five things you need to look for in a figure.

How can you tell if a Miku figure is real or fake?

Very much like seller location, the price of a figure can in fact indicate a fake. All of those $20 Miku figmas floating around eBay are bootlegs, most of which are from Hong Kong. So as always read the product description and even ask the seller about the authenticity of the figure if you are still unsure.

How do you spot a bootleg anime character?

A figure’s hair is usually a good place to check when worried about a bootleg. A lot of anime figures are carefully painted at the hair to create a sense of body and depth, with gradients or shadows/highlights used to make a more realistic appearance.

How can you tell if a Japanese manga is real?

Japanese companies are very meticulous about packaging, so if the box looks like 1) the art doesn't quite line up with the box edges, 2) the art is slightly blurry, and/or 3) the colors are too harsh, it probably is fake.

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How can you tell if an anime figure is real?

14:1632:51REAL vs. FAKE Anime Figures: Can You Spot the Difference?? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCompany logo a lot of fake anime figurines in boxes will not have these logos written on it.MoreCompany logo a lot of fake anime figurines in boxes will not have these logos written on it.

How do you tell if an anime figure is a bootleg?

Look for stripes or for small areas with a lot of detailed paintwork to see if you spot major defects. Because there are no checks in place for quality, paint bubbles are also really common with bootlegs. If the quality of the painting looks really poor, check to see if there is a known bootleg of the figure.

Are anime figures made in China?

As you might have already known, most anime figures are made in China. Newbies often misunderstood that 'Made in China' means fake. That is not correct. In fact most of the original ones are made in China mainly because it is cheaper for the Japanese company to own a factory and production line there.

Is bootleg figure good?

No. Bootlegs harm the actual figure manufacturers and buying one supports a terrible industry. I will never knowingly buy a bootleg, and I will do a lot of research beforehand to ensure that I don't.

What's a bootleg figure?

Online and in-store shopping are perhaps the easiest ways to notice bootlegs. For online shops, specifically eBay, if a figure is listed as being another country's version or being a 'replica' – it's a bootleg. Additionally, if it's a lot cheaper than what the legitimate one would cost, it's DEFINITELY a bootleg.

Are bootleg toys illegal?

Another thing — knockoffs are illegal. They cut into the profit of legitimate toy companies, cause licensing costs to rise, and potentially undermine the value of the brand.

Are anime figures 3D printed?

Many sites offer high-quality, authentic and creative anime characters you can 3D print at home. Many of these 3D printing anime figures accurately reflect the original character's look. There are many free anime 3D models to make. Other figurines are offered at reasonable pricing.

What are anime figures worth?

You can often see the same anime figures that cost anywhere from $50 to $100 US over in the United States inside Japanese claw machines. It's not just that some claw machines in Japan have nicer things, but it's because the cost of production is vastly lower when it is domestic. Worldwide shipping is extremely costly.

Does Solaris Japan sell fakes?

All of the items listed on our website are 100% genuine and authentic. We do not tolerate bootlegs of any kind.

Is crunchyroll store legit?

Crunchyroll has a consumer rating of 2.22 stars from 108 reviews indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Consumers complaining about Crunchyroll most frequently mention customer service, free trial and premium membership problems. Crunchyroll ranks 89th among Anime sites.

Is Solaris Japan trustworthy?

100% Recommend Solaris Japan Pretty great prices for hard to find figures and shipping is reasonable with everything going on in the world right now. 100% recommend for collectors.

How can you tell a fake revoltech?

3:568:48How to spot the bootleg / KO Amazing Yamaguchi Revoltech VenomYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut the obvious way to tell them apart is this the original has dots engraved on the joints. But theMoreBut the obvious way to tell them apart is this the original has dots engraved on the joints. But the bullet version has a smooth joint. Same goes for all of the tendrils.

How can you tell a fake revoltech?

3:568:48How to spot the bootleg / KO Amazing Yamaguchi Revoltech VenomYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut the obvious way to tell them apart is this the original has dots engraved on the joints. But theMoreBut the obvious way to tell them apart is this the original has dots engraved on the joints. But the bullet version has a smooth joint. Same goes for all of the tendrils.

How do you find bootleg figures on ebay?

0:436:14How to spot bootleg figures ON EBAY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo right off the bat you can tell from the photo that it's not not legit at all it's a bootleg.MoreSo right off the bat you can tell from the photo that it's not not legit at all it's a bootleg.

How can you tell a bootleg Figma?

ALL authentic figmas come with a genuine figma stand. ALL figma stands have the figma logo embossed on the base plate. If the base plate does not have an embossed figma logo on it, you absolutely have a bootleg!

Are Figmas made in China?

The Figma (フィグマ) series is a Japanese action figure line produced by Max Factory and distributed by Good Smile Company.

Why are anime figures fake?

Firstly, fake anime figures are the ones destroying the market prices. Secondly, these fakes discourage the authentic hard work put in by their makers. Third , this practice discredits the source of the character. It is humiliating to the creators because it rips off years of hard work.

Why do anime boxes have clear tape?

The box has a circular clear tape at the top and it helps to protect the anime figure from accidental exposure during shipping as it prevents the cover from coming off.

Can you open a box to check a figurine?

Most sellers or businesses would not let you open the box up to check the figure. Most boxes are transparent at the front and this makes it possible to inspect the figurine closely.

What to do if you are buying online and the listing photos are not of the item itself?

If you are buying online and the listing photos are not of the item itself, check with the seller if you can see some photos of the item! If the seller refuses and there are multiple warning signs of a bootleg seller, you might want to reconsider placing an order with them.

What is the best place to check if a character is a bootleg?

Hair. A figure’s hair is usually a good place to check when worried about a bootleg. A lot of anime figures are carefully painted at the hair to create a sense of body and depth, with gradients or shadows/highlights used to make a more realistic appearance.

What is a bootleg figure?

Simply put, a bootleg is a figure that does not have any proper licensing or approval. Generally, bootlegs are copycats (normally of lesser quality) of actual, licensed figures which are sold to collectors or vendors under the guise of the legitimate figure.

Why are bootleg boxes faded?

Something that is really common with bootleg boxes is faded colours due to poor ink quality. You’ll notice that the authentic figure’s box on the left is much more vibrant.

Why do you need a blister pack for a figure?

The blister pack for a figure is one of the most important parts in keeping the figure safe during movement. Manufacturers will normally make sure the blister will offer as much protection as possible so the plastic will be strong and the cutouts will hold the figure well.

Is it easy to spot a bootleg?

Spotting a bootleg is sometimes easier said than done. But sometimes it is easy - case in point: Saber versus Sader. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a figure you own or are interested in owning, check out our tips on how to spot a bootleg below!

Does blister plastic fit figure well?

The quality of the plastic is normally very flimsy and will bend and warp easily. Additionally, the spots in the blister will not fit the figure well; they will either be too large or will have a shape that does not seem to match that of the figure.

Monday, March 12, 2012

When buying anime figures it is very important to pay attention to detail and make sure that what you are buying is authentic. With many people making bootlegs of popular figures it can be a little tricky to know what your actually getting for your money.

Real or Fake? A guide to buying Figmas and other anime figurines

When buying anime figures it is very important to pay attention to detail and make sure that what you are buying is authentic. With many people making bootlegs of popular figures it can be a little tricky to know what your actually getting for your money.

What do bootleg figurines look like?

Bootleg figurines look like the original . It is no surprise that cheats are getting better at sculpting and detailing. They can make anime figurines that look pretty similar to the originals using cheaper materials and lower costs of productions (e.g lower staff wages, low-quality tools).

Can you put anime side by side?

You can put them side by side and even seasoned anime fans would not be able to tell the differences! If they cannot spot the differences, then it is still fine to show off my collection. There is nobody who can claim that the original MUST be better than the fakes. A fake can be equal or better than the originals.

Is fake paint better than original paint?

A fake can be equal or better than the originals. The paint may be of lower quality but you are not going to touch them all the time. Collectors usually display them on some shelves or cabinets. All they do is to collect dust. Then, it is fine to just get the cheaper ones.

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Why Fake Anime Figures Are A Problem?

What Are Some Ways to Know If Figures Are Real Or A Fake?

  • Looking at the figures
    The first thing to obviously do is look over the figures to inspect the quality. If the figure looks unimpressive in any way then it could be fake. Lack of accurate coloring or details are big giveaways. You can compare figures to where they originally sold on anime sites. I have noticed …
  • Investigate the boxes that the figures come in
    If looking over the figure isn’t enough to identify the fake, odds are they made a mistake in the packaging. Their is just too few bootlegs that can make both of these consistent to the original. Luckily if you can’t find the exact figure online to do a comparison then the boxes well be easier. …
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No More Buying Fake Figures!

  • Summary
    As long as you keep the advice and the links I shared in mind then the chances of getting scammed are near zero. The links I provided from The Good Smile Company here and comparitech here offer great tips and resources. Investigating details from both boxes and figur…
  • Bonus Tip
    One other thing that should be known about as well before I end this post is to consider the pricing. Often times the fake figures are sold at a price that seems way lower then it should. This is because making fake figures is cheap and that’s the price that reflects it. In the attempt of tryi…
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