Counterfeit Figure Typology is a part of Art 100. The purpose of this subdivision is to catalog the various types and characteristics of counterfeit M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.
If you have any counterfeit figures that you would like added to this section, then please send them to the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. with a brief explanation of the characteristics and pictures of the figure. Thank you in advance for all submissions!
Here are some examples of loose counterfeit figures:
 Loose |
 Counterfeit Figures w/ M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Control Group |
Below are brief descriptions of the characteristics and available details for each of the lettered groupings of figures:
Close-Up - Type A thru H
A – This figure is a decent copy. There are some rough edges from a poor modeling process, but better than most counterfeit figures. The plastic is too glossy and the color is too dark for Flesh and too light for Salmon. The figure does has the Y/S*N*T trademark.
B – This pair of figures shares many of the characteristics of Figure A. However, these figures are much softer than Figure A and bordering on Kinkesi soft. There are no trademarks on these figures. Additionally, this is not a M.U.S.C.L.E. or Kinnikuman sculpt. It seems to be an original sculpt based on M.U.S.C.L.E #100.
C – This is a very small figure, likely a copy of a copy. The plastic is so hard that it approaches being brittle. The color is incredibly light, closer to white than the M.U.S.C.L.E. Flesh color. It has a Hong Kong trademark.
D – Figure C could have been copied from Figure D. The shape of legs and feet are very similar. The plastic of this figure is too firm to be a M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure D also has a Hong Kong trademark.
E – This figure is a pretty good copy. It has a very similar density to a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure. However, the edges are too sloppy for it ever to be mistaken for a legitimate figure. Additionally, the color is very dull – almost like a flat paint. It has a China trademark.
F – This is an incredibly bizarre figure when held. It is incredibly soft and the sheen of it almost makes it appear to be melting. The figure has a Hong Kong trademark.
G – This figure is even softer than Figure F and very bendable. In person, the color match is surprisingly similar to M.U.S.C.L.E. Flesh. The figure has a Hong Kong trademark.
Close-Up - Type I
H – Like Figure C, this figure is very small – likely a copy of a copy and possibly copied once more. It is the smallest counterfeit figure of the group, when compared to its legitimate counterpart. The color is very light, but that is due to fading. The original color (closer to M.U.S.C.L.E. Flesh) can be seen easier when looking at the back of the figure and between its legs. There is no trademark on this figure.
I – This is one of the most interesting groups of counterfeit figures. At first glance, or to a novice collector, these figure might pass as legitimate M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. The can appear as almost too perfect Flesh color or slightly faded Salmon color. They even have the Y/S/*N*T trademark to add to the confusion. Ultimately what proves to be these figures undoing is their density and shininess. Upon closer inspection the figures simply have too much sheen, and are far too dense to be legitimate figures. These figures could likely pass for high quality customs cast by any of the current customizers and artists.
Close-Up - Type J
J – These are an odd group. They are very soft and have a very dull color. The edges are probably the worst of this group of counterfeit figures. Some of the figures have a very difficult to see Y/S*N*T, while others do not have any trademark.
K – Like many of the previous figures this also appears to be a copy of a copy because of its small size. Interestingly, the figure still remains very detailed. The copying process has not reduced the detail. The color is too light compared to the Flesh color, but the density is very similar to a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure. There is a Hong Kong trademark.
L – This figure is incredibly flat and quite hard. It is also not a Kinnikuman or M.U.S.C.L.E. sculpt. In fact, this appears to be a Future Man figure. There is no trademark.
M – This figure is very similar to Figure L, but darker in color. It is not a Kinnikuman or M.U.S.C.L.E. sculpt, however it appears to be inspired by M.U.S.C.L.E. #154. There is no trademark.
N – This is the softest and most bendable counterfeit figure in the group. It is so soft and bendable that it almost feels delicate – ready to tear or rip with the slightest bit of pressure. It has a China trademark.
Close-Up - Type K thru Q
O – At first, this figure appears as if it should be group with the J group. The edges are very sloppy. However it has a distinct color and much different density and firmness. This could be a faded Alien Wrestler figure. There is no trademark.
P – This is a unique counterfeit figure. This is one of the rare cases where a Frankenstein figure has occurred. The creator has taken the body from M.U.S.C.L.E. #156 and the head from #216. Having gone through that effort, it is surprising that the edges would be so rough. The red color is also too dull and flat. There is no trademark.
Type R Example #1
Q – This counterfeit figure is missing his left arm. There should be another open hand. Similar to Figure P, this is a Frankenstein figure. The body of M.U.S.C.L.E. #139 has been used and the head from #92 – minus the mohawk-like piece. The figure is also too firm and too dark to be considered a legitimate figure. There is no trademark.
R – The Metallic Bootlegs have two core defining attributes: (1) a metallic coloring; and (2) incredibly poor quality. The coloring appears to be in several different shades – blue, purple, green, gray, yellow. The specific condition of these figures can vary greatly. However, many of these figures feature excessive flashing and visible cracks in the plastic. Perhaps most unique many of the figures feature feet, or other parts, that have sink marks (e.g., the bottom of the foot is concaved). The YSNT trademark may be present and it may have been removed (to varying degrees).
 Type R Example #2 |
 Type R Example #3 |
 Type R Example #4 |
If you have any counterfeit figures that you would like added to this section, then please send them to the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. with a brief explanation of the characteristics and pictures of the figure. Thank you in advance for all submissions!
