Love them or hate them, knockoff toys are an eye-catching slice of the figure-collecting hobby. Let’s check out some of the most hilarious knockoffs the internet offers. It’s incredible what insomnia and a late night on the Internet can get you. We have something for fans of DC, Marvel, Power Rangers, Sailor Moon, Pokémon, and Star Wars. Click on the images below to take a better look.
Knockoff toys come in many forms, and I’m casting a wide net with my definition of “knockoff.” Custom toys, kitbashes, repaints, and restorations are creative ways of making or repairing toys. Toys that might not have existed otherwise. Some of the toys and figures shown here fall into one or more of those categories, and I love them for it. I’m not throwing any shade at their creators.
Bootleg figures are a different story. I own bootlegs of many Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lego figures produced by some Chinese manufacturer. This factory individually sold the brothers so I could assemble the team of my childhood at an attractive price. The trade-off was in the quality. You get what you pay for — so they say — and I got poorly fitting pieces that I had to superglue together. Nobody wants minifigs rattling around on their display shelf every time they walk past. Bootleg figures can get things hilariously wrong sometimes, and that’s why we love them.
Spotting Knockoff Toys
It’s okay to spend money on a creative custom toy, but finding out that your “authentic” figure isn’t authentic could leave you feeling cheated. Know what to look for, and you’ll save yourself the tears. And yes, I know I’m an adult, but I can still cry over fake Jawas.
My quick tip for spotting a bootleg action figure or toy is to look for the MAP:
- Mold Lines: Obvious mold lines prove that a figure is a recast from an official figure.
- Articulation: Missing or poor articulation is a foolproof sign of poor engineering and manufacturing.
- Paint Job: Too much paint, the wrong colors, or sloppy work hints that this toy is a cheaply produced money grab.
Do you have a favorite fake toy? Tell us in the comments below. You can also hang out with us on Discord or follow us on X/Twitter and Facebook.
J-List sells many official figures and toys produced by Good Smile Company. They’re a reputable business that offers a wide range of characters from your favorite anime and TV licenses. Take Lucy here, from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. She’s well made, expertly painted, and will catch eyes on any shelf. For in-stock items, remember to get your order in before December 15th for fast shipping or one month before Christmas for slow shipping.
