I'll be there soon! I'll be there soon!
We know the price can be tempting, but please don't buy bootleg junk. That's neither sustainable nor will you be satisfied in the long term. To see what it's all about, we present:
The ultimate bootleg guide!
Bootleg here, bootleg there, if you are wondering what bootleg actually is, briefly summarized:
A bootleg is a pirated copy that does not have proper licensing or permission. In general, bootlegs are knockoffs (usually of inferior quality) of actual, licensed figures that are sold to collectors or dealers under the guise of the legitimate figure.
How do I recognize a bootleg figure?
Because pictures usually speak more than 1000 words
No, seriously, it's usually not that easy to identify a bootleg figure. Let's take the following example:
Definitely recognizable side by side, but would you recognize the bootleg figure as such after receiving it?
The tricky thing about bootlegs and authentic figures is that sometimes there are manufacturing defects in an original figure. There can be occasional production errors; also, as the figure ages, some elements of it can deteriorate significantly.
However, if you find that your figure has some of these flaws, it might be a good idea to search online for known pirated copies to see if your figure looks more like them than the real thing.
What is the best way to proceed with a figure you have just received?
Step 1: Packaging
Bootleg packaging tends to be very different, but there are a few things to look out for. The best thing to do is google your figure and compare it to your packaging. If the box is completely different, check to see if there were any previous releases with a different box (very rare). If not, there's a very good chance you have a bootleg. Bootlegs usually use photos of the figure from the manufacturer, so the image of the figure may appear pixelated. The coloring is also usually not ideal - look for black spots on the box and check if the shading and light reflections are detailed enough. Most bootlegs have poor image quality, and these pieces tend to look blocky and less detailed.
In addition, the cardboard is usually very thin and weak, so deformations or tears are particularly common.
Also pay attention to the logo on the packaging!
Although bootleg production is generally illegal, pirates often forgo a logo as this is a direct trademark violation. In some cases, pirates do include a logo but it is slightly misspelled to deceive the buyer.
Step 2: Open the packaging
The quality and materials of bootlegs are usually inferior at best. Because of this, bootlegs can sometimes have a pretty chemical smell.
If your eyes water right after unpacking, you may have bought a bootleg.
Next, pay attention to the plastic inlay. This is one of the most important parts of a figure to keep the figure safe during shipping. Manufacturers usually make sure the inlay provides as much protection as possible so that the cutouts hold the figure well.
With bootlegs, we often find that figures are somehow lying in the inlay or are taped up with a lot of tape. The quality of the plastic is also very poor and can be easily bent and deformed.
Step 3 (if you still dare): Take the figure out of the inlay
We noticed two things about the figure itself that bootleg producers often screw up.
The face is often the most obvious indicator of a bootleg. The differences can be insanely obvious, but they can also be a little more subtle.
Manufacturers usually release close-up photos of the figure, which you should use when checking your figure for any abnormalities. Pay attention to the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth to see if there are any significant differences!
The second indication of fake is the hair.
Figure manufacturers go to great lengths to make hair look as dynamic as possible, which is why this is usually where the highest level of detail can be found in the figure.
Many pirated versions are unable to copy this, and the hair painting is usually blocky and poorly shaded, if shaded at all.
Another important point is the shape of the hair! When reshaping, the hair ends, which are generally pointed, become rounder at the ends and can become completely misshapen. If the hair does not have the same shape as the original, this could be an indication of reshaping.
Conclusion
We hope that we were able to give you a rough overview of how to identify bootleg figures. If you need an even more detailed guide and are fluent in English, please take a look at our colleagues at Solaris Japan .
I'll be back soon
Mr Hentai
