MegaHouse teams up with BANDAI to combat rise in fake anime figures
MegaHouse, a major Japanese toy and hobby manufacturer known for its detailed figures and collectible products, has announced a new measure to combat the issue of counterfeit goods.
The company will begin affixing new authenticity stickers to the packaging of some of their high-value hobby and figure products.
This initiative aims to differentiate genuine items from illegal imitations that infringe upon intellectual property rights.
The global market for collectible figures and hobby products has long been plagued by counterfeiters.
These illicit operations not only cause substantial financial losses to legitimate manufacturers but also harm consumer trust and can often result in inferior quality products being sold.
Counterfeit figures, in particular, frequently suffer from poor paint applications, inaccurate sculpts, and the use of cheaper, potentially unsafe materials.
The rise of online marketplaces has further exacerbated this issue, making it easier for counterfeit products to reach consumers globally.
Some independent retailers may also sell counterfeit figures due to sourcing from cheap, unofficial suppliers.
This is usually because they do not care about the goods they sell being official as long as they are cheap, or because they lack the knowledge to verify whether the goods they are selling are legitimate.
In Japan, there are stringent laws and ongoing efforts by customs and legal bodies to combat the import and sale of counterfeit goods, recognizing their detrimental impact on the economy and intellectual property holders.
MegaHouse’s decision comes in response to the detection of counterfeit versions of its own hobby and figure products, both within Japan and in international markets.
To proactively address this challenge, the company is collaborating closely with BANDAI, who distribute many MegaHouse products internationally.
This partnership aims to create a more robust environment where the production and sale of counterfeit goods are effectively suppressed.
Bandai Co., Ltd., as part of the larger Bandai Namco Group, has extensive experience in intellectual property protection and anti-counterfeiting measures for its vast range of toys and collectibles, including the highly popular Gunpla (Gundam plastic models).
By implementing the new authenticity stickers on product packaging sold both domestically and overseas, MegaHouse intends to provide a clear and easily verifiable indicator of genuineness.
The presence of these stickers will signify that the product is authentic and officially manufactured, allowing fans and collectors to make purchases with greater confidence.
This transparency is crucial for protecting consumers from unwittingly purchasing illicit goods and for safeguarding MegaHouse’s brand reputation and intellectual property.
The move by MegaHouse reflects a broader industry-wide effort to combat counterfeiting, which has become an increasing concern for Japanese companies with global reach.
Authenticity stickers, holograms, and unique serial numbers are common strategies employed by manufacturers to combat this issue.
Consumers are advised to look for these new authenticity stickers on MegaHouse products released from September 2025 onwards, and to purchase from authorized retailers, including official online stores like Amazon and Rakuten, to minimize the risk of acquiring counterfeit items.
© MegaHouse, Bandai
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