how to tell if anime figure is fake

by Melyna Kovacek 6 min read
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As a result, fake anime figurines tend to have smudges on the face and some have unusual thick eyebrows or eye lines. Neutral facial expression is the default equipped face. Check out official photos from key distributors and compare the default faces of the anime figurines.

Part of a video titled REAL vs. FAKE Anime Figures: Can You Spot the Difference??
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Company 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.

Full Answer

How can you tell if a figure is fake?

Also, fake figures have poor paint jobs and the quality control is horrible. Typically counterfeit figures use the molds of genuine figures that have been used many times and hence the poor quality of the figures (whether they have poor posture or can barely stand up correctly).

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 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.

How do you check if an image is real or fake?

First, this will require you to have Google Chrome. Next, right-click the image you want to check. When a drop-down menu appears, select “Search Google for Image.” The search engine will then do the work for you, either bringing you to the source of the image, or bringing you to the land of six different sites that prove it to be fabricated.

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Is it okay to buy fake anime figures?

No. Bootlegs harm the actual figure manufacturers and buying one supports a terrible industry.

How do I know if a figure is a bootleg?

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 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.

How much should an anime figure cost?

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.

What are anime figures made of?

The molds are filled with the material the figure will be made of, usually PVC since it's a cheap and somewhat flexible plastic. If not PVC, the next most likely materials are vinyl, polystone, synthetic resin, or ABS. The cooled plastic (or resin) is removed from the molds.

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.

How do companies make anime figures?

The moulds are used by pouring the material from which the figure is made. For example, hot, molten PVC is poured on the moulds and then cooled so it can take the shape of the figure or the part. The figures are usually done with PVC (soft plastic) and ABS (hard plastic).

What are anime figures?

Anime scale figures are a type of fixed-pose figure that is sized based on the “actual” dimensions of the anime character. These proportional figurines will include a size reference, like 1/6th or 1/2th.

How do you pack an anime figure?

1:5313:45How do I Move with Figures?! | Tips for Moving with Anime FiguresYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFigure has a lot of pieces that stick out so i had to use a lot of bubble wrap between each layer toMoreFigure has a lot of pieces that stick out so i had to use a lot of bubble wrap between each layer to make sure it all didn't get bent.

Why are resin figures so expensive?

It's very heavy, giving collectibles a substantial, stone-like feel and balance. It allows of an intense amount of small surface and paint detail. As a general rule, resin collectibles are more pricey in their initial offering but also retain or even increase their value overtime.

Why are Nendroids so expensive?

So, why are nendoroids so expensive? The simple answer is that you pay for what you get for. Nendoroids that are authentic and not bootleg are made with high quality. Prices for each nendoroid can greatly change due to supply and demand for a certain character.

How to identify fake goods?

To identify for fake goods, sometimes you'll have to check the official website for how the goods actually looks like. This is not always available though as not all company provides pictures of the goods in their website. GOOD SMILE is one of the companies that do. You can check it here.

How to tell if a figurine is a bootleg?

Check the figurines Hair; Hair is typically the easiest way to determine the quality of a product. If it feels cheap or is easy to bend and morph, you've likely got a bootleg. For Nendoroids, shiny elements in the hair and faceplate are usually a giveaway.

Can you buy bootlegs in Japan?

Japanese companies are very unlikely to sell you a bootleg, so if you are concerned about shelling out your hard-earned cash on the real thing, you can have more peace-of-mind if you purchase from a Japanese store, its online website, or its Rakuten online shop. Even if you are buying a used figure from Mandarake, you will know the staff have already inspected and verified it as being, to the best of their knowledge, an authentic figure. Another option is to bid on Yahoo Japan Auctions, where most sellers are Japanese (some are real stores that also have an online auction presence, but many are individuals); since the Japanese generally have a strong ethic regarding honesty about their products, you can also have the piece of mind that virtually none of the sellers are trying to swindle you (I have purchased well over a hundred items from sellers there with no problems. If a seller has any concerns whatsoever about the condition of the product, they will explain this in the item description and/or advise to carefully inspect the uploaded photos; they lean towards cautioning potential bidders not to bid if you have any possible qualms about the item: in all such disclaimers cases for the dozens of items I have won, only 1 of them was actually in poor condition as the seller had mentioned. In all the thousands of auction listings I have perused, I have not come across any bootleg items. This is not to claim that none ever crop up, but there is not as much to worry about as when buying from eBay or at a convention outside of Japan). Most Japanese auction sellers do not personally ship to overseas customers, so if you do not have an address within Japan, you can use a proxy bidding service.

Do Japanese figure boxes have English?

Some official Japanese figure boxes have English on them, but it follows a pattern, so that is a reason to familiarize yourself with what words/phrases/font the manufacturer uses for its printing. Seeing the name of the series or character typed in another font than the company usually uses should be a red flag.

Is MyFigureCollection a good place to source figurines?

Whilst MyFigureCollection is a great place to source these figurines, it's worth noting it's not 100% guaranteed to stop fakes from filtering through, one common issue at Comic & Anime conventions is that stalls which sell official figurines will also sell fake figurines for a much lower price with the illusion that you're getting a discount.

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 don't anime figurines have a barcode?

These fake anime figures manufacturers usually do not put a barcode label on the figurine box because they have no need to manage a massive amount of stocks. They will usually dump the finished goods on some online platforms.

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.

How to tell if a paint job is bad?

Look at the most detailed parts of the figure because this is where you'll normally find indications of a bad paint job. Look for stripes or for small areas with a lot of detailed paintwork to see if you spot major defects.

Why is Kotobukiya misspelled?

Mentions of Kotobukiya are purposely misspelt (except for one oversight?) so that the text looks like it matches, but actually doesn’t.

What does a bootleg smell like?

Because of this, bootlegs can sometimes have quite a chemical-heavy odour. If right out of the box, you’re hit with the heavy stench of what can best be described as cancer-laden plastic, you might have a bootleg in your hands.

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.

Do figures have stickers of authenticity?

This one is an easy giveaway! If a figure includes a sticker of authenticity from the manufacturer, you should definitely expect it to be there.

Can you spot the bootleg?

Let’s walk through some of the signs of a bootleg with Makise Kurisu, a super popular figure! Check out the photos below of an authentic Kurisu and a bootleg Kurisu. What differences do you see?

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 is a fake anime fan?

Basically: a fake anime fan is someone who uses anime when it’s convenient, but isn’t really part or has interest in the culture. You have a lot of these who “outrage” these days on Twitter. The worst are more interested in pushing their narratives around anime than they are about the culture itself.

What does it mean when a person likes anime?

If a person likes anime, then they’re an anime fan.

Is anime a genre?

Anime is like any other form of entertainment, and similarly has its own genres, niches, and target audience. Someone who understands that won't look to quarrel with anyone about the definition of what a “fan" is. The anime community is the most diverse and far reaching of all the entertainment forms.

Is gatekeeping anime annoying?

It’s so annoying that people are gatekeeping anime.

Can you judge by his/her response?

You can judge by his/her response.

Who said I am obsessed with anime?

Anyone remember when Kim Kardashian tweeted “ I am obsessed with anime”.

Is Kim Kardashian an anime fan?

An anime fan who casually watches a single show with their kid to bond with them is an anime fan. A hardcore otaku is an anime fan. Kim Kardashian is a REAL anime fan. In case you didn’t know, Her husband adores the film Akira and has used it as creative inspiration.

How to check if an image is fake?

First, this will require you to have Google Chrome. Next, right-click the image you want to check. When a drop-down menu appears, select “Search Google for Image.” The search engine will then do the work for you, either bringing you to the source of the image, or bringing you to the land of six different sites that prove it to be fabricated.

Is it safe to take fake photos?

Sure, fake photos can be fun for entertainment purpose s, but when it comes to something claiming to be news, not spotting a false shot could dangerous. For example, no spider is this large —but this is harmless and easily debunked.

Is the above photo fake?

Also, the above photo is clearly fake because sadly unicorns aren’t real. (Sorry, kids.) If it makes you feel any better, a unicorn-like creature did once exist, and they found the fossils to prove it . [Source: LifeHacker]

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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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