How to Tell if Anime Figure is Fake?

The world of anime figure collecting is a vibrant and exciting hobby. Japanese anime figures are not just collectibles; they're highly valued pieces of art treasured by fans all over the world. Unfortunately, recent popularity has given rise to many new counterfeits in the market, which are called bootleg anime figures. The increasing prevalence of counterfeit figures can be disheartening for people looking to buy anime figures, especially for new collectors.

Making sure you purchase authentic anime figures is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your collection. With just a little education, you can be certain you’re not getting a bootleg anime figure. This guide will provide detailed information on how to distinguish genuine anime figures from fakes so that you can make informed purchases and avoid disappointment!

Why Authenticity Matters

Collecting authentic anime figures means ensuring high-quality craftsmanship, supporting original creators, and maintaining the value of your collection. Authentic figures stand out with superior materials and detailed designs, while bootleg figures will look and feel inferior no matter how good the online listing makes it seem.

Counterfeit anime figures also retain very little value, if any at all. They tend to be produced with lower quality and sometimes even toxic materials. According to US Customs and Border Protection, the counterfeit goods industry has even been linked to organized crime and forced labor. 

Common Signs of Bootleg Figures

(Image Source: Toga Himiko Spirit Tale Limited Edition on ZenMarket) 

Real figures will have vibrant colors and fine details like the one pictured above. Pay close attention to the hair, the chain, and how all the clothing has realistic wrinkles. Here are the common signs of a bootleg anime figure. 

Identifying bootleg anime figures involves paying close attention to several key indicators that distinguish genuine pieces from fakes:

• Packaging and Labels

Genuine figures often come in high-quality packaging with clear images and prominent, detailed logos. Look for official stickers and holograms. Counterfeits might miss these details or use low-quality printing, or omit the logo and hologram altogether.

(Image Source: OnlyFigure.com)

Notice the lack of a logo on the fake (right side) figure. It also has incorrect colors on the packaging and appears to be missing accessories, as well as the pose being slightly different. 

• Price Indicators

An unusually low price should be a huge red flag. Authentic figures are priced according to their quality and rarity, so if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. It’s always a good idea to compare the price to similar listings to get an idea of what’s normal. 

Prices so far below the typical value are a clear indicator of bootleg anime figures.

(Image Source: crb.com)

Also Read: MOST EXPENSIVE ANIME FIGURES

• Paint Consistency and Color Accuracy

Official figures use high-grade paint and feature meticulous paint jobs that align with the character's details as seen in their respective media. Counterfeits often exhibit sloppy paintwork with colors that may be off-hue, overly bright or dull, and paint that may bleed over lines and scratch easily. Misaligned paint, especially on detailed areas like the eyes or small accessories, is a common indicator of a fake. Another common tell is that real figures tend to have a matte finish while the majority of fake figures have an odd, shiny look to them. 

(Image Source: How to Spot a Fake Nendoroid by Nyotaku)

The figure on the left is fake, while the one on the right is real. Notice the fake figure’s incorrect face color and how rough the details on the clothes and tie look compared to the genuine figure. Fake figures also tend to be a bit shiny as you can see here, while the real one has a more matte look to it.

Bootlegs often reveal unpolished seams with uneven edges and the parts are sometimes crudely connected. Uneven painting of the figure or lack of gradient and shadows would be a clear sign of a fake. Can you guess which one is fake below?

• Details and Accuracy

Always compare the figure with official images from the manufacturer's website. Incorrect proportions or missing details are a clear indication of a fake. A lack of fine detail in places like the hair, hands, and small accessories can also be a dead giveaway. 

While the real figure (left side) has very precise paint job and super detailed, realistic hair; the fake figure (right side) has a strange red discoloration, less detailed hair, incorrect color tone, and a poorly done border on the dress. 

(Image Source: Solaris Japan)

The seams and joints on the original anime figures are usually carefully sanded and unnoticeable, and the connections between the parts are normally well-designed and are not noticeable.

Sometimes a quick glance is not enough to distinguish an original anime figure from a fake. Since the main production of sets is located in China, templates of the originals often leak to bootleggers. This is the reason why today some bootlegs are very difficult to distinguish from the original, and they cost a lot of money.

For example, this Lucy figure from Fairy Tail. Guess which is the bootleg and which is the original?

They look very similar, don't they? The bootleg has no visible flaws, poorly finished seams or peeling paint. But if you look closely, the fake (on the right) is given away by missing details, which is a slightly different position of the palm above the head (look at the position of the thumb) and the lack of gloss on the lips. Also, the slightly lower quality red paint on the bow and suit, and yellow hair shows that it is not real.

• Texture of the Material

Authentic figures are typically made from higher-quality materials that give them a solid, substantial feel. Fake figures often use cheaper, lighter plastics, resulting in a figure that feels lighter and less robust. The weight difference can be notable when you handle both types of figures, with authentic ones usually feeling weightier and sturdier. This one is harder to understand until you do a real life comparison, but fake figures tend to just feel cheap when you’re holding them. 

• Smell of the Material

While it might sound weird, this less conventional method can be surprisingly effective. New authentic figures typically have a neutral or non-offensive plastic smell if any. Counterfeits, however, often use cheaper materials and chemicals in production, resulting in a strong, unpleasant chemical smell. If the figure emits a harsh, persistent chemical odor, it could be an indication of substandard materials typical of counterfeit products.

• Alignment and Assembly of Parts

Genuine figures are meticulously crafted with parts that fit seamlessly together, ensuring that the figure stands correctly and all pieces align as designed without gaps in the seams or loose joints.

In contrast, bootleg figures often have poor assembly quality. Misaligned parts that result in uneven stances, gaps at the joints and seams between parts, or parts that don't fit together correctly are common issues with fakes due to a lack of quality control in the manufacturing process. Loose joints and inferior materials mean knockoff anime figures break much easier than authentic ones. 

(Image Source: cbr.com)

• Base and Stand Quality

The stand or base of an authentic figure is usually well-designed and stable, often featuring logos or other branding elements that align with the manufacturer. Fake figures often come with a generic base that is less stable, made of inferior material, or lacks the fine detail and branding that official products typically include. A flimsy or poorly constructed base is definitely a red flag.

This base prominently displays “MADE IN CHINA” where there should be a brand logo. 

(Image Source: How to Spot a Fake Nendoroid by Nyotaku)

Here is an in-depth video of distinguishing between real and fake anime figures.

How can you buy figures from Japan? 

Anime figures can be expensive and hard to obtain through your local stores. However, with ZenMarket proxy shopping, you can get your hands on all the anime figures directly from Japan!

Important key points before you buy anime figures online:

• Researching Before You Buy

Doing proper research can drastically reduce or completely eliminate your chances of getting counterfeit anime figures. In addition to the general tips outlined above, it’s important to get a general idea of how the market works so you can avoid risk and prevent disappointment when you order anime figures from Japan. To be sure, compare the product photos with the original (photos of originals and bootlegs can be found on the website myfigurecollection.com).  

• Official Websites and Retailers

Always verify that you are purchasing from an official retailer or directly from the manufacturer’s online store. Companies like Good Smile Company, Kotobukiya, and Bandai Namco often list authorized anime figure stores. Some manufacturers have their online retail stores. Please keep in mind that most of these retailers don’t ship internationally so you will need to use a proxy buying service like Zenmarket. You can see a list of some of the most reputable anime online stores here:

Also Read: BEST JAPANESE ONLINE SITES FOR ANIME AND MANGA MERCHANDISE

• User Reviews and Community Insights

Engage with online communities and forums like Reddit’s r/AnimeFigures to get insights and feedback from other collectors about where and what to buy. People often discuss new releases, reputable retailers, and other helpful tips on how to buy anime figures from Japan. 

• Price Comparison and Market Research

Investigate the usual market price for the specific figure you’re buying so you can spot any discrepancies. Prices fluctuating far below the standard rate, especially for new or popular items, can indicate counterfeit products. Be especially careful when shopping for rare, high value figures. 

• Second-Hand sellers

With ZenMarket, you can shop directly and bid on auction sites like Mercai, Rakuma and JDirectItems Auction. While buying from second-hand sellers on sites like JDirectItems Auction is perfectly safe, it can be a bit more risky than purchasing straight from manufacturers or officially authorized retailers. That being said, if you do your research and follow the guidelines above you can vastly reduce your risk of receiving a bootleg figure.

It’s a good idea to stick to established vendors with plenty of positive customer feedback. Be sure to always pay close attention to all seller policies. ZenMarket team will also help to check fraud and risky sellers, if you are unsure, contact their Customer Support for assistance.

Shop Anime Figures from Japan

What is ZenMarket?

ZenMarket is a proxy buying service that helps users buy and ship goods from Japanese online sites to anywhere in the world. You can make purchases from many different stores (Rakuten, JDirectItems Auction, Mercari, etc.) and consolidate them all into a single parcel to save international shipping costs. ZenMarket streamlines the process of purchasing authentic anime figures from legitimate anime figure stores, providing a secure platform for transactions and access to exclusive releases not available internationally. 

The basic process is as follows:

1. Search for the items you want and add them to your cart.
2. After ZenMarket confirms each product’s availability, you pay for your products, domestic shipping, and a flat fee of ¥500 per product. Zenmarket then orders your items.
3. Once received by Zenmarket, all packages are consolidated and weighed for the final international shipping cost. You pay for international shipping and Zenmarket ships out your consolidated packages.

Please keep in mind that Zenmarket is strictly a proxy service. It works as an intermediary between you and the actual anime figure stores in Japan. Zenmarket does not provide authentication service for products. For an extra layer of protection, it's recommended to use the optional "photo service" to confirm the condition and quality of your purchase. It includes three pictures taken upon its arrival at the Zenmarket warehouse.  

If you would like a more detailed explanation on how to buy anime figures from Japan using Zenmarket there's a complete guide here: https://zenmarket.jp/en/quickguide.aspx  

Also Read: HOW TO BUY ANIME FIGURES FROM AMIAMI

Final Thoughts

Navigating the world of anime figure collecting can seem daunting at first, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can ensure that your collection grows only with authentic, high-quality pieces. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, remember that diligence and research are your best tools when looking to order figures from Japan. 

Information References:
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/fakegoodsrealdangers
http://nyotaku.com/2012/11/25/how-to-spot-a-fake-nendoroid/
https://support.goodsmile.com/hc/en-us/articles/14951135720345-Bootleg-information
https://www.reddit.com/r/AnimeFigures/comments/2l7lvm/how_do_i_know_if_a_figure_is_a_bootleg/
https://onlyfigure.com/blogs/onlyfigure-blogs/how-to-spot-fake-versions-of-anime-figures
https://solarisjapan.com/blogs/news/ultimate-guide-bootlegs-fake-anime-figures
https://www.cbr.com/how-to-identify-bootleg-anime-figures/
https://animeculturesa.com/pages/authentic-vs-bootleg
https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/22297/how-can-i-tell-if-an-anime-figure-is-a-fake