Hikari Proto

[Xx4ST2R0NoTxX]

Hello Fellow Collectors, I have a question for the more seasoned veterans. I purchased 3 different Proto Hikari TMNTs and 3 Batman Hikari Protos. My question is, are these real, did I get ripped off and are these worthless or did I make a good move? I only collected Pops before, no Hikari whatsoever. These are more expensive for my budget, but I wanted to get some. I paid between $13 to $17 a piece with free shipping off of eBay. Sounds fishy, but like I said I am new to Hikari and to Protos. Please help me out with any information you have. Thank you everyone and happy collecting!

[funkystark]

They aren't protos, they are what we refer to as scrappers or reject pieces. Someone(s) in China got a boat load of them and has been listing them non stop for a couple months now. They look like protos and are very cool additions to a collection especially at the low price they have dropped too, I have a couple in my collection.

[Xx4ST2R0NoTxX]

That is disappointing that they aren't really Protos, but I still think they are neat. I think I'll stick to my Pops! Lol.

[dustman94]

IF THEY ARE COOL AND YOU LIKE THEM THEN THEY ARE WORTH IT. I WOULDNT PAY MORE THEN $20

[Xx4ST2R0NoTxX]

This is true, so if these are considered scrap, what's the story behind these? Are they hikari? Or knockoffs of real Hikari figures? I am interested to know more about this.

[Reverend]

Trash can toys aren't that bad most of us have some in our collection so don't feel bad, it could be worse you could of jumped the gun and contacted the seller when they first came out and bought a whole bunch of them for a pretty penny

[Poncho Pete]

Trash can toys aren't that bad most of us have some in our collection so don't feel bad, it could be worse you could of jumped the gun and contacted the seller when they first came out and bought a whole bunch of them for a pretty penny

For once in my life, I'm happy I came in second....

[Alleycat]

This is true, so if these are considered scrap, what's the story behind these? Are they hikari? Or knockoffs of real Hikari figures? I am interested to know more about this.

Although we have no direct confirmation of where and how these sellers from China are obtaining these, it is believed that they come direct from the factories that produce the products for Funko. Perhaps they are rejects or early run pieces that did not meet the line's quality control standards. Perhaps they are stolen from the line or were picked up from trash / recycle bins.

Then there are the Pop! and Mystery mini pieces that also show up on ebay. Perhaps they are acquired in the same ways as the Hikari "protos". There has even been some evidence that some of these may have been painted production pieces that have had their paint stripped before listing on ebay!!!

It is not widely believed that someone is making knock-offs of these Funko products. They most likely originate from one or more of Funko's factories in China.

Should these "Hikari" pieces be considered to be Hikari? Suppose that's up to whoever ends up with them (and yes, I have a few).

I do urge that anyone who has or will be getting any of these take a black sharpie and at minimum draw a letter "C" on one of the foot bottoms. Unfortunately, if this is not done to them ALL, all protos of these figures will be suspect of being from these sellers - unless there is a clear chain of evidence that they came from Brian.

Funko / Brian is aware of all of this.

Buyer beware.

[Squird]

They're scrap and nothing to be ashamed of as long as you know that's what you have. I have a set of the Bat-scraps behind me at work, protecting a photo of my daughter. They're pretty cool looking and it's been fun to collect them. I'm glad that they've been stopped and that we're not seeing tons of them for every Hikari figure. I think that would hurt the line overall. But I'm also happy to have the four that I have.

Also, if you're into customizing, buying these scraps is a cheap way to get raw material.

As long as you're digging what you bought, you're golden.

[funkystark]

Craig I'm curious why the letter C?

C for China? or C for Craig, so you can keep your's and Rich's seperate C for Crap?

[Squird]

This is true, so if these are considered scrap, what's the story behind these? Are they hikari? Or knockoffs of real Hikari figures? I am interested to know more about this.

They're factory rejects and have some kind of defect that prevented them from being released. There is a bit of luck when you purchase. I've had good luck and the defects were minor. Noticeable upon inspection, but minor.

I'm more leery of the Mystery Mini and Pop 'protos' the same sellers are listing. If you look closely, they appear to have been stripped of paint. I'd buy a mini 'protos' on the cheap if I loved the character. I would stay as far away from a stripped Pop 'proto' as is humanly possible.

[Squird]

Craig I'm curious why the letter C?

C for China? or C for Craig, so you can keep your's and Rich's seperate C for Crap?

I think C for 'Craig' so he can claim they're all his at a later date.

[BigM]

They've grown on me since they first came along. The general consensus is they're fake as stated above, but they can be a nice little addition to your collection. I wouldn't pay more than $20 for one though.

[ColdSummer]

Hmmmm. Actually these sound pretty great for a paint project. They're like non-generic DIYs.

[Xx4ST2R0NoTxX]

I appreciate all of the great advice for all of my questions. I think they're pretty neat, I think they will be a different touch to the collection, however I think I will stick to the packaged Hikari from here on out. As far as the raw material idea, I really like this. This could be a gateway to creating my own weird exclusive piece. Thanks everyone!

[HobieWanKenobi]

I think "C" is for cookie, which is good enough for Rev.

[Reverend]

I think "C" is for cookie, which is good enough for Rev.

cookie monster.jpg

I'm working on it.......

5-cookie-monster.jpg

....but I'm still not where I need to be at

Spoiler: show

Just say no to cookies boys and girls!

[xmaldigolax]

I just wish they had Skeletor