Obvious Fakes & Bootlegs:
Some fakes are hard to spot - but others are very obvious. Here's a quick list of common issues with fakes:
- Not mentioning the series or character name anywhere
- The colours are wrong, or inconsistent
- It's rough feeling
- It's one texture all over
- The details don't match the screen version
- Joints are not flesh-toned
- It's chibi-styled
- No maker's mark, or it's in an odd place - they're usually on stands, bases, non-display sides, or on battery compartments.
|
Indentifying Genuine Items:
Step 1: Find Out Who Made It
Knowing where a wand comes from will tell you a lot.
For example, Pretty Cure and Sailor Moon are both licensed by Bandai. So most of their official items (but not all) will say Bandai or it's sub-companies somewhere on the wand/stand, and on the packaging. Knowing who made it can also help to track down what series it comes from if it is obscure or not one you're familiar with.
If there's no maker's mark - usually found underneath stands or on battery compartments in official merch - then it's almost certainly a fake.
For example, Pretty Cure and Sailor Moon are both licensed by Bandai. So most of their official items (but not all) will say Bandai or it's sub-companies somewhere on the wand/stand, and on the packaging. Knowing who made it can also help to track down what series it comes from if it is obscure or not one you're familiar with.
If there's no maker's mark - usually found underneath stands or on battery compartments in official merch - then it's almost certainly a fake.
Step 2: What Series / Film / Game
All items should mention the series on the packaging. However, a second hand item may not have any.
You can compare how the item looks in the real world to how it looks on screen. Most will be similar or identical.
Some wands will come with a stand, which should also mention the series. Some wands say the series on them somewhere, usually as part of the makers' mark. Early Precure wands often say 'Precure' or 'Pretty Cure' somewhere in the design. Most figures will say the series and/or the character on the stand.
You can compare how the item looks in the real world to how it looks on screen. Most will be similar or identical.
Some wands will come with a stand, which should also mention the series. Some wands say the series on them somewhere, usually as part of the makers' mark. Early Precure wands often say 'Precure' or 'Pretty Cure' somewhere in the design. Most figures will say the series and/or the character on the stand.
Step 2.5: Make It Go
Most wands and some other items will make sounds, noises, or play music.
Real items will have a relevant sound, like a theme tune or attack sound. Most will light up in the same places as on screen. Fake items will often have random stock songs, irrelevant effect sounds, or won't make any sound at all. Fake versions often have voice repeaters, and have lights in the wrong places.
It should be noted that Prop items - intended for cosplay or static display - may not have any gimmicks at all, but can still be official. The majority of these are made by Proplica.
Real items will have a relevant sound, like a theme tune or attack sound. Most will light up in the same places as on screen. Fake items will often have random stock songs, irrelevant effect sounds, or won't make any sound at all. Fake versions often have voice repeaters, and have lights in the wrong places.
It should be noted that Prop items - intended for cosplay or static display - may not have any gimmicks at all, but can still be official. The majority of these are made by Proplica.
Step 3: How Old?
Some series have multiple versions of the same wand or prop. The year - usually on the maker's mark - will tell you when it was manufactured. Often, this coincides with a particular production run or release.
If there was more than one version, they will often be quite different. Vintage items often have less gimmicks than their newer counterparts. Special release and promotion versions will be shaped or coloured slightly differently from regular versions, as will foregin releases.
If there was more than one version, they will often be quite different. Vintage items often have less gimmicks than their newer counterparts. Special release and promotion versions will be shaped or coloured slightly differently from regular versions, as will foregin releases.
Step 4: Check GENUINE Reviews
We reccomend the channels Shoujo Kitty, Pixielocks, MXPMR999 (Japanese, sometimes with English subs) and AliceNyanNya - thought there are plenty of others out there as well, there 4 tend to be more knowledgeable and go into depth with their reviews. They also have vintage versions, rather than just new releases as toy review channels tend to do.
These videos can be used to compare real versions with your own item(s).
Unfortunately, there's quite a lot of "reviews" that feature undisclosed fakes, perhaps because they do not know better. There are also reviews/demos that do not show any close ups, which won't be very useful when trying to identify genuine items.
These videos can be used to compare real versions with your own item(s).
Unfortunately, there's quite a lot of "reviews" that feature undisclosed fakes, perhaps because they do not know better. There are also reviews/demos that do not show any close ups, which won't be very useful when trying to identify genuine items.
Step 5: Just Ask!
If you can't figure out the series, aren't convinced it's genuine, or can't see any relevant reviews, just ask!
We have a handy list of forums, with plenty of knowledgeable people who can help you out.
We have a handy list of forums, with plenty of knowledgeable people who can help you out.