Fakies
'Fakie' or 'Phony' is a term coined by My Little Pony collectors for off-brand toys trying to get in on the popularity of My Little Ponies. The toys vary from exact casts of genuine ponies to toys that are barely recognizable as equine. Some collectors have even taken to collecting fakies.
Most fakies date to Generation 1, although several have appeared during Generation 3. With Generation 4 came more copies as well.
Contents
Authenticity
While most fakies at first sight may look like an exact replica, there are key features that will give away whether or not the pony is a genuine pony.
Stamps and Markings
Fakies generally do not have any markings, some may state their country of origin and some might state the production company. Generally genuine ponies will say Hasbro, country of origin and sometimes Pat. Pend., either on the bottom of their feet, inside the leg or on their bellies/rump. The exception to this rule are Nirvanas, they may for production reasons have had either or all of the above removed from their production mold where they were made.
Size and Shape
Sometimes the pony may look spot on, but upon closer inspection something looks off. Perhaps the face looks odd in shape, this may be a key that the pony is not genuine. There are a few exceptions to this rule however. South African ponies tend to have poses that are usually a blend of two ponies, which gives them a strange appearance.
Colors
Many cheap fakies usually have vibrant colors, the exception to this rule are Nirvana ponies - they may have ordinary poses and still have oddly vibrant colors.
Rooted Tails
Genuine ponies generally do not have rooted tails, they have their tails held by a washer - a metal piece securing it from the inside. However there are exceptions to this rule, South African ponies are known to have rooted tails instead of tails secured by washers.
Paint
Generally, genuine ponies have a nice even paint and symbols are vibrant and follow a uniform style and palette. Fakies on the other hand may have paint that is unstable and may bleed or not remain stable as a solid, they usually tend to have a single color as their symbol as well. There are however a few Nirvana ponies that are prone to doing this as well, especially Greeks.
Brand Names
Chap Mei
During Generation 2, Chap Mei entered the market with their own line of ponies. These ponies had an oblong body and short legs, their tails were rooted and had metallic accessories such ass winged saddles, crowns and necklaces prone to bleeding the dye into the plastic. There was also a smaller variant of solid PVC ponies with brushable tails that came with metallic saddles. The adult ponies are about 8.5" (11cm) tall while the small ones are roughly 2.5" (7cm).[1] As of Today Chap Mei focuses solely on manufacturing action figures and playsets. [2]
Remco
Remco was active in the early 80s when My Little Pony first started out, they made fakies with painted feet and were stamped Remco at the bottom of their feet. Their activity ceased once the company went bankrupt. [3][4] Their fakies generally had a rounded stubbly look as the ponies had big heads, round bodies and short thick legs.
[5]
Simba
A company based in Europe, also shortly known as Super Toys between 1993-1994.[6] The company have been active in making ponies since Generation 1. They are notorious for using Hasbro's own molds of ponies and generally never brand their products, at most 'Made in China'. They are still active today and still produce ponies. Their sets are very generic and have themes such as family and weddings.
Pony Land
- Dancing Pony - Ballerina pony fakie
- Beauty Friends - Lady Lovely Locks pet fakies
- Talky Pony - Battery driven,
- Just Married Pony - Battery driven, Buddy L fakie
- Pony with Baby
- Galoppy Pony - Battery driven, Buddy L fakie
- Pony with Baby (Drink 'n Wet)
- Ballerina Pony
- Dreamland Pony
- Cirkus Pony with Baby
- Teeny Pony - Sweetheart Sister fakie
- Magic Ponies
Lanard
The early versions of Lanard ponies looked more like a realistic horse, with small eyes on the sides and usually painted feet. They have gone through many different faces of shapeshifting and currently are very similar to G4 but with significantly larger ears. Lanard always brand their ponies either on the bellies or bums so they aren't too hard to differ from genuine ponies.
Buddy L
Princess Rinse 'n Spit
Collectors have dubbed this pony "Princess Rinse 'n Spit" because of her extremely pronounced open jaw full of big horsey teeth.
- She comes in various colors, and with both plastic and yarn hair.
- She (sometimes?) has two different sound mechanisms behind her two differently placed 3-d symbols, and a speaker in her mouth.
- Produced by Mei Ah Toys Factory Limited
Crumpet Fakies
Collectors have dubbed this pony "Crumpet" because of her pose.
- She comes in various colors, and with many colors of hair and symbols.
Big Brother
- Mexico exclusive
Unknown Fakies
These ponies only come in the colors yellow, pink and blue and they all have the same three colors on all of their manes with the same balloon symbol. Their left back hooves read "Made in China", and they come with one or two brushes.
Garland Fakies
These fakies were only sold in Europe. It's unclear by what company but they came in many different colors.
Rainbow Love Pets
These fakies have long necks, rooted manes and a small molded tail. They don't have a symbol and have painted feet. The body is thick with longer legs.
Generation 2
See also
- ↑ http://www.fakietopia.com/fchapmei
- ↑ http://www.hktdc.com/manufacturers-suppliers/Chap-Mei-Plastic-Toys-Mfy-Ltd/en/1X000H0L/
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remco#Bankruptcy
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Little_Pony#Generation_One
- ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/thefakiehideout/family-calendar/remco-ponies
- ↑ http://www.trademarkia.com/mobile/trademark_detail.aspx?sid=74354812
- ↑ http://s303.photobucket.com/user/Skimble_banger/media/The%20Great%20Fakie%20Research%20Project/magicponies.jpg.html