Bootlegged merchandise has always been a problem for both manufacturers and collectors. However, some unscrupulous people have gone too far — creating and selling items that are still on pre-order from the legitimate manufacturers!

The official Twitter account of Mochi Mochi Mascot manufacturer SKJ isn’t taking this sitting down though, and have issued an official guide on how to differentiate their genuine items from the worthless fakes.

All the main points have been described in the illustration above, but to summarize — you need to be careful about four main points: 1) the hairstyle; 2) the face embroidery; 3) the hood of the plush’s hoodie; and 4) the shape of its jaw.

Have you encountered fake items over the years you have been collecting anime merchandise? Can you tell fakes and genuine merchandise apart? Share your photos and tips in our comments section!