Play Arts Kai Solid Snake Bootleg?

Hi guys, thanks for dropping by. Play Arts Kai's most recent release, the legendary Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid series is greeted with much enthusiasm and doubt. There has been a debate about the authenticity of certain versions that arrived in the market. I have been on the forefront of this issue for quite some time already and though nothing has been proven yet, for the benefit of all I would like to record the differences i have encountered with both the "perceived authentic" Solid Snake figure and the "alleged bootleg" one.

Photo courtesy of sorubeido

It is alarming that authenticity of Play Arts Kai figures is now in question noting how expensive these figures are and how loyal the fanbase is of the line.This record however is still not a basis for authenticity and like i mentioned, unless Square-Enix themselves confirm the existence of bootlegs the debate will just go on. My advice to all of my fellow collectors: be wary, careful and smart with your purchases. Check out the differences i noted below:

	Play Arts Kai Solid Snake noted differences
	Perceived Authentic	Alleged Bootleg
	Packaging:
	1. With Serial Number DGTC-1203 on the bottom flap. Serials are deeply engraved, typewriter font size.	1. No Serial Number or if serials are present, not engraved deeply and font is different.
	2. Warning and Attention boxes on the upper right corner and top flap in a light to medium grey background	2. Warning and attention boxes in dark background
	3. Box art of character on side is sharp	3. Box art of character is a bit blurry
	4. The sides of the boxes emit a reddish black sheen under a light	4. Dull black sheen
	5. Matte 25th sticker	5. Glossy 25th sticker
	6. Tightly packaged box with circular tapes	6. Loosely packaged box with circular tapes and common scotch tape
	7. Hard inner tray	7. Soft inner tray that collapse at times due to weight of the figure
	Head / Face:
	1. Well defined facial structure with light brown/flesh pink shades around the eyes and cheeks.	1. Pale or grayish shades on the face and (commonly with) wayward gray paint smudges on the cheeks, chin, ears and neck.
	2. Ashen/light blue eyes with glossy finish	2. Same color but No glossy finish
	3. Flesh pink or light brown lips	3. Dark brown or gray lips
	Body/Joints
	1. Glossy paint finish on the upper torso	1. Dull black finish on the upper torso
	2. Darker shade overall for body	2. Grayish body shade
	3. Tight joints especially the groin and knee areas	3. Joints are a bit loose
	Weapons/Accessories
	1. SOCOM dark semi-metallic finish	1. SOCOM dark finish (looks like a GI Joe gun to me)
	2. FAMAS semi-metallic finish	2. Dull finish
	3. Bandanna is articulated with removable tail	3. Bandanna not articulated and not removable
	NOTE: some shades on his face area are only visible under certain lighting conditions. This is especially true on the shadings around his eyes and cheeks. His eyes also possess a different glow when subjected to a camera flash since they have a glossy coat.