This is the first time that I’ve purchased a figma off eBay that seems dodgy.
I ordered this about two weeks ago and it arrived yesterday (from Hong Kong, eep.) – a Hatsune Miku cosplay Kagami Hiiragi a.k.a. Kagamiku figma. I was SO excited for this figma – but when it arrived and I took it out of it’s packaging, I got bad feeling. I’ve read some fake figma horror stories to try and determine if she is a bootleg, but haven’t yet found any about Kagamiku specifically. When I took her out of the packaging (which was paper by the way, no cardboard box) the box was crushed, which seems like a bad sign. And next… well, see for yourself:
(by the way, all photos are unedited)
In comparison to this photo from The Banzai Effect:
Lighting in my photo is obviously different – however I must stress that the printing on box is very dark to what you would expect. (You can see this particularly in the photo of winter Kagami figma with angry face)
The above screenshot is from one of Actar‘s videos – his Kagamiku figma Review.
Here is what I mentioned earlier. This image of Kagami is actually this dark on the real box. It is not the lighting from where I took the photo – this is exactly what it looks like.
Only thing is, Kagami’s hair in the above seems a little greener than the real thing.
Top of box.
Was thinking of keeping her inside the box so it would be easier to post it back to seller if I had to… but really wanted to taker a closer look at the figma itself.
Are her joints supposed to bend backwards like that?
Both joints going wack. Sorry to do this to you, potential-Kagafakeu.
Her hair is shiny and plastic-ey (if that makes sense). I actually wouldn’t know what the real texture is supposed to be like for Kagamiku figmas, but I was expecting it to be matte like my winter Kagami.
By the way I haven’t turned her hips around at all in this photo.
I’m getting the feeling she’s a fake. Especially when I compare to photos like this:
(photo from DC) The above is a prototype. I would love all the advice I can get on this. If anyone has a Kagamiku themselves, please do compare her to my photos and let me know what you think ^^.
If you request any more photos, let me know and I’ll add them to the end of the post~
Additional/Requested Photos (click for full-size)
In answer to Quaestor‘s question about the above photo – her legs are bent to the side, so you can’t see them. Didn’t realise how strange it looked when I took the photo xP
I really wish I had a Kagamiku so I can compare it to yours… Right now I’m 75% sure that it’s fake. Compare the box to other figma boxes that you may have as well. If the quality is cheaper than the real figma box then for sure it’s fake. The price as you’ve mentioned last night on Twitter does convince me that it’s fake. I’m surprised there’s even the Figma zip bag that came with it though.
It surprised me also that it came with all the accessories (like the zip bag). I’m very sure it’s a fake now too, but it’s a pretty good copy.
This calls for a photoshoot with my Kagamiku…
Wow! KagaFakeu can do chicken leg (ala Marcross Gerwalk mode, lol).
I could safely say the original’s texture is not as glossy or plasticky, they’re more matted, solid and has a nicer feel…. Wait.. What am I SAYING~?! O_O;;;
It’s like comparing gunpla kits from Bandai and Bendei (which I have one).
lol! the chicken leg.
Yeah, Kagafakeu doesn’t have a very nice texture at all >.> and the paint job is super-shonky, as you can see in the new photos I’ve added.
I’d love to help out, but I’m a fucking retard when it comes to spotting fakes…I think I bought like 2 fake nendoroids before even learning they made bootlegs of em >_<
That said however, since you bought her off ebay, did you check the seller's reviews? If some of them mention fakes, that would definitely sound warning bells.
The seller’s feedback was something like 99% positive. I checked all the negative feedback, and none of them said anything about fakes specifically.
Still… it’s from Hong Kong. I am usually a lot more careful when I purchase my figures on eBay, and try to get them from a place that’s less likely to be dodgy… I swear I was off my face or something when I purchased this, because now when I look at the listing, it just screams BOOTLEG.
Read the reviews, maybe some people know/don’t mind it’s fake, for these prices.
Also, maybe they mailed the seller, and he agreed to refund them if they don’t leave feedback, or whatever. If he refunds you, leave feedback after.
I just remember something regarding the fake figures; behold: a fake Nendroid Miku: http://mew5.com/b/2009/01/post_125.html
Quite hard for the untrained eye (like me, which needed to be pointed out).
Oh yeah, I’ve seen that!
If I had a real Kagamiku to compare myself I could probably spot the differences so easily.
Kagamiku’s Hair is Matt. And hell the joint will break if you bend it like that!
Saw a red sticker above the GSC logo. What does it say?
Yeah, that’s what I figured. Non of my other Lucky Star girls can do that with their joints >.>
Here’s the red sticker:
http://static.zooomr.com/images/8495695_b864ac21bc_o.png
I’m afraid yours is a bootleg. =/
I’ve compared to mine, which I bought in HSJ and I must say there’s definitely something wrong with this Kagamiku. The main problem is her knee joints, it is just impossible to do those movements with mine. I also have the feeling that the elbow joint of your Kagamiku is somewhat larger. I do not see the Lucky Star cat in her left arm as well, so this may be yet another sign. Finally, the printing of the box is, as you said, darker.
I’d ask for some detailed pics of her leg and elbow joints to be sure. Also to check some minor details some bootlegs usually lack, it would be nice to have some pics of the chain (?) in her skirt and also of the left side of her collar.
Just realized the “Warning” instructions are different in your box. Might be yet another sign but can also be a different loot of Figmas, do not know for sure.
I just put up some more photos at end of post for you to take a look at. Let me know what you think~
The last pics convinced me, it’s a bootleg. Took some pictures of my own Kagamiku to show the differences:
Knee joints:
http://img263.imageshack.us/i/pb120115.jpg/
http://img94.imageshack.us/i/pb120116.jpg/
http://img25.imageshack.us/i/pb120117.jpg/
Elbow joint and arm texture:
http://img5.imageshack.us/i/pb120118.jpg/
But what really impressed me is the amount of details of yours, quite an achievement for the bootleggers =P
Yours have the little square in the left side of her collar, same as mine
http://img443.imageshack.us/i/pb120112.jpg/
And also the chain (it’s a chain, right?) in her skirt has the details with a decent painting, not very different from the original:
http://img509.imageshack.us/i/pb120113.jpg/
Anyway, I’m glad you managed to get a refund.
Ah, almost forgot, the different instructions are nothing but a sticker of the retailer, not necessarily a sign of a fake. Now the lack of a Kadokawa authenticity sticker was a problem indeed (although my Summer Uniform Kagami does not have one and even so I’m pretty sure it is original).
Finally, one last question, what did you do with the figure’s legs in the third pic you added? ^^;
very easy to spot fake
1.when open the box is there a tape
2.is there sticker from the series licensed ussually in silver
http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig08/10085659p.jpg
I am not see the sticker so i am sure that yours is fake >_<
There was tape, however no silver sticker.
My other Lucky Star girls definitely did have the silver stickers.
Sounds bad. The tape is easy to made and the silver ticket is essential
I have a KagaMiku, and I bought her from Hong Kong as well, and mine came in paper packaging, but as son as I opened her, I knew she was real. The box colors looked fine, her texture felt almost identical to my other figmas, and she looked no different than the photos I’ve seen of her. The thing that I noticed with yours immediately was the skin texture, it doesn’t look like that of the other figmas, it looks more… plastic-y. I’m sorry, but it looks like a fake ;-; And the mere fact that the joints allow her to do exorcist type movements is enough for me to label that though XD
That’s okay, I’ve already contacted the eBay seller and I’m getting a refund… but have to pay to post it back dammit >.>
But yeah, the texture is also a real giveaway. The textures of my real figmas are so much nicer, and the paint job is a thousand times better as well.
Dude, contact eBay/paypal, file “Item not as described”, though they usually don’t write “By good smile company”, but that’s splitting hairs. Get paypal to get you your money back, and you probably won’t have to ship the item back.
now I am sure that your’s is fake no sticker of authenticity from kadokawa (shinny sticker usually golden or silver)also shown in actar review or picture in hobby search (above)
http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig08/10085659p.jpg
I found some store sell kagamiku for $15 that’s all of them are fakesmhow much you get that???
fake and original both of them “made in china” hard to spot from the plastic. fake figures usually use shinny painting.
at least you got good quality fake ^__^
Yeah, the paint is shiny and blotchy and poorly done close up.
LOL… ‘good quality fake’
wacky joints! i think this KagaMiku is possessed XD ebay is risky business with figures, been tempted to buy a few there but dont wanna risk it. glad to hear you will get a refund but paying the post back isnt fair at all!
Yeah, I wouldn’t buy from eBay unless the feedback is around 100% positive and they are not a new seller. They must also guarantee it is real.
I always check the feedback first. Like I said somewhere in the comments above, I think I was off my face when I purchased this figma…
Yeah it’s not fair, but postage is only $8.00, so not too bad.
Now I just have to find somewhere else to buy my REAL Kagamiku for a fair price ^^
still planning order nendoroid from ebay (like you said earlier) ??? ^__^
Hahaha wellll now that you mention it… not so sure now.
However, like I’ve said before, I’ve gotten real figmas off eBay! They were very good sellers and had a lot of positive feedback.
But I am probably going to stick to Otacute for a while now. ^^
I have to say, that’s one ugly box, even the original one. Garish yellow.
Dispensed advice above, go via ebay/paypal protection, don’t get a refund from the seller and ship it back to him, unless ebay/paypal tell you to, and even if he refunds you, leave a negative feedback saying “FAKE item. He did refund me.”
Okay, I’ll try that ^^
and I’ll definitely be giving negative feedback…
I stared at my own Kagamiku while staring at your photos… It seems like she is a bootleg. The shade of green on your Kagamiku is definitely paler than mine. o.o; The print on the box, like you said is also darker… and the arm joint is really suspicious.
I have to stress though, not all Nendos and Figmas have those shiny silver stickers on them, if that was one of the indicators that a nendo/figma is fake, them mine would all be fakes ><;
AFAIK, if they were intended to be sold inside Japan or sold by a Japanese store, then they would have the stickers. If, let's say they were to be sold in a store overseas, they don't have stickers. Well, that's what I've read anyway.
I have to say though… that is one, nicely made bootleg. Packaging is a near copy to the original. Everything was fixed and no parts are falling off… and there were the tiny sheets of plastic too… and they're placed exactly the way they were placed on my Kagamiku. Also, the joints are nice for a bootleg. The bootleg nendo Miku I have. LOL. Her twintails fell off as soon as I removed her from the box. That's how bad she was.
I'm sad that there are existing figma bootlegs now :< AFAIK, the only "bootlegs" existing were "smuggled" figmas /doesn't know how that came to be
As Guy has suggested, contacting eBay and paypal is your best option. Don't ship it back just yet, you might not need to.
I agree with what you said about the sticker.
My Drossel figma, which I ordered from Otacute in Japan, is 100% real, but no silver sticker. They don’t always need the sticker to be real.
It is a nicely made bootleg, as you said… They clearly went to a lot of trouble to copy it exactly – but it’s the joints that let them down.
And I’ll see what I can do about also contacting PayPal. Like I mentioned above, the seller has agreed to a refund however I must pay postage.
IDK, I think that the seller should send you a genuine Kagamiku to replace the fake one free of shipping. That’s how it *should* work, since the seller did send you a fake. He/she might just sell the fake to another person and make a profit out of that bootleg. ><;
I think you should wait for what Paypal/eBay will tell you
arent the joints defective?
I feel your pain, my sister and i just bought cheap nendroids at e-bay but then we realized it was a total counterfeit after the auction… The fake Miku nendroid was covered by sankaku complex, I regret that I was not informed earlier. I only realized it after I saw a post regarding fake figmas.
I’ll post the review if the package will arrive by today ;D
I’ve read that fake Miku story. However I’ve noticed that the differences between the real Miku nendo and the fake are a lot easier to spot, such as the hair texture/colour.
And I’ll definitely check out your review~!
No offense…but since it’s from Hong Kong it’s probably fake…it not really a good idea to but figma or any other figure in any asian country beside japan.
Contrary to what people think, local shops are OK and are reliable. Ebay and other online auctions on the other hand are quite dodgy unless you get to meet the seller face-to-face before the trade.
not entirely true. there are genuine sellers in hong kong and some asian parts. dont stereotype them. D:
*sigh* Another fake from ebay. This only brings more people to think that Hong Kong only brings fake stuff, and this hurts (me).
Since Hong Kong is part of China, the “unrightly” sellers could easily obtain fake goods from mainland China (smuggling or other methods to import them) and used Hong Kong as a place to sell them off, mainly because of the fact that “Hong Kong” sounds more reliable than “China”, and exporting from Hong Kong is also much easier as it is a city that heavily relies on trading.
But thanks to the scandalous ebay users they have simply ruin the image of Hong Kong as a reliable shopping place, and this hurts bad. Now many people here (especially those who frequent DC and figure.fm often) have this prejudice against Hong Kong compared to, say, Singapore.
All I can say is that – going to a proper shop in Hong Kong is much more reliable than using online auctions (unless like in Yahoo Auctions Hong Kong where you often meet the seller face-to-face in the trading). Besides, ***if the price is too good to be true, then it’s likely to be dodgy; trust your instincts***.
Frankly, I am getting fed up of people thinking that stuff from Hong Kong = fake stuff.
Guess I have to go into it a bit more and possibly blog about tips on avoiding such problems in the future, but this will take time.
That’s an impressive comment =D
Thanks so much for the advice, very helpful.
I’ll keep all that in mind.
Ouch…Thats sucks but Im glad that youll be able to get your money back.
One of the biggest problems is that most people dont seem to mind /or realize that they get a fake at such a cheap price and give the seller a good rating.
I once found on Ebay a Shop that sold BootLeg AnimeDVDs that screamed Bootleg alone from it looks but guess what?
100% positive Ratings <.<
Not many figma figure get to make to bootleg but this figure happen to be the popular one and from the photo, it look bootleg to me. You may want to feedback this to the seller.
Fucking hoes….damn ebay hoes….
i bougth a set of haruhi and mikuru cheerleader and when i see its fake and i dont know what i do with this fake figure, the are so ugly, this guy sell me the set in 4.99 and the shipping in 39.99, some guy called jackuballl or jackyball i dont remeber good, but be carefull if you going to buy a some lower price product
Don’t buy on eBay.
I buy on Otacute now. Prices and shipping are great ^^
I recently bought a fake Miku Nendoroid off Ebay, because they were out everywhere else. At the time, I didn’t even know there was a market for bootleg figures, so it never even crossed my mind. But her hair is all discolored, the painting job on her is crap, her joints are oddly yellow, and she had to be cleaned when we got her. Sadly, I can’t afford a legitimate one, now that they’ve been restocked. My lesson? Never trust Ebay for figures. Reading the other comments, I should have done some backup research first. But still, I don’t trust Ebay anymore.
My trust for buying figures off eBay has decreased by about 78%.
I try to avoid it for figure buying now if I can.
rest assured not all China goods are fake…even GoodSmile manufactures their goods from China anyway…we just need to be extra careful when purchasing…some seller wouldn’t know which is it counterfeit or not and some seller knew it but decided to go for it since they’ll get higher profit..
I think most of us collectors might bought some counterfeit or fake products. But it doesn’t mean that we’re screwed or something…on the positive side, it makes us becoming much more knowledgeable and detailed when choosing figurine at local or even online store. So, relax…cool down…i even accidentally bought “fake” naruto characters and still displays it together with the original figurines…but yeah…I decided to put labels on the counterfeit line-ups…”Special Edition”…(=_=;) for a reminder actually…LOL
Fake Kagamikus need love too!
Treat her kindly! It’s not her fault that she’s a counterfeit Kagamiku!
Umm… I’m not an expert but isn’t it always a text on the box as say AAA Anime distrubition?
Like this: http://pasu2k.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/bootleg2.jpg
I have a Kagamiku fake too, I bought her off ebay and from Hong Kong. She’s the only one out of the three I bought from ebay that is a fake.
Poor thing, I still love her anyways.
Actually, your figma isn’t a fake. It’s a discard.
Basically, it’s a legitimate figure from the factory that didn’t pass quality control, and was discarded, and then someone smuggled it out and repackaged it for sale to pass as legit.
You can tell because the casting quality is high. It’s not recasted like most bootlegs. Figmas have a high discard rate due to bad joints, which is probably why it’s a profitable underground business.
iisolarthunder’s affection is interesting. Looks like you’ve decided to welcome yours into your home anyway?
A discard, eh? thanks for sharing ^^
Either way, it’s sneaky they sell them on eBay.
Ohayo! I have a figma of kagammi just like that! Oh my goodness that’s 100 percent bootleg, I don’t think mine’s joints can bend like that. and just like you said, the box is darker than mine ( it also had the authenticity sticker of some sort.) The only thing that mine sucks is that the nails on the stand is rusted >.< ( well, original rusted stand is better than the fake one!) but I still love my kagami cause she was the first figma that I got. ( but certainly not the last!)
Ah! I bought a Miyuki lucky star figma for £30 from Hong Kong on eBay. Head Snapped when I tried to exchange the head >_< Wah! But I love her cuz she was my first one :3