BE@RBRICK by Medicom Toy is one of the most copied collectible figures in the world. Fakes turn up on marketplaces, at fairs and in listings that look professional, often for popular 400% and 1000% figures and well-known collaborations. Medicom Toy uses several features to prove that a figure is genuine. Here is what they are, where to find them and what else to look out for.
1. The authenticity hologram on the box
Since 2010, Medicom Toy has put a hologram sticker on the packaging of most BE@RBRICK releases. When you tilt it, the image changes: you see the BE@RBRICK logo, the @ monkey and the outline of a bear's head. In the middle is a serial number that shows when the figure was made.
- Check: the image should change clearly as you tilt the sticker, and the small background text should stay sharp and readable. On fakes the hologram often looks flat or the fine text is blurred.
- Note: some small promotional figures and Happy Kuji lottery prizes come without a hologram. That alone does not make them fake.
2. The Hidden Tag
Since early 2022, many figures carry a Hidden Tag: a printed code on the sole of the right foot and on the box. Scan it with the Hidden Tag app and you are connected to Medicom Toy's database, which shows an electronic proof of authenticity.
- Which figures: 400% and larger, and some 200% figures. 100% figures do not have a Hidden Tag.
- Check: the code on the foot and the code on the box should both scan and show the same figure.
3. The NFC chip (du-al.io)
Since 2022, selected BE@RBRICK releases have an NFC chip built into the right leg. It works with du-al.io, the anti-counterfeit system Medicom Toy developed with Hakuhodo Product's, using NFC tags from Toppan. Hold an NFC-capable smartphone against the foot and you get a digital proof of authenticity with details such as the serial number. You can also register the figure to your own account.
- Which figures: only selected releases. If a figure has a chip, the box carries the du-al.io logo.
- Check: no du-al.io logo on the box means no chip is expected. A logo on the box but no response from the foot is a warning sign.
Which features should your BE@RBRICK have?
| Feature | Where | Since | Which figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hologram | Box | 2010 | Most releases |
| Hidden Tag | Right foot sole and box | Early 2022 | 400% and larger, some 200% |
| NFC chip (du-al.io) | Right leg, logo on box | 2022 | Selected releases |
An older release, or a 100%, will not have all three. Missing features are only a warning sign when the figure should have them, so always compare with the release year and size.
Other things to check
- The foot print: the sole carries BE@RBRICK and MEDICOM TOY markings. On genuine figures the letters are sharp, evenly spaced and well proportioned. Thick, smudged or oddly shaped letters are a red flag.
- Paint and print: lines should be crisp and patterns should line up across the joints. Bleeding colours or blurry graphics point to a copy.
- The box: check the print quality, the spelling and the barcode. Scanning the barcode should bring up the same figure, colour and size.
- Price and seller: a rare 400% or 1000% far below the market price, or a seller who cannot show photos of the actual figure, is the most common sign of a fake.
Genuine BE@RBRICK at M-District
We only sell official Medicom Toy products, brand new and complete in their original box. Want to see the hologram, the box or the foot of a specific figure before you buy? Email us and we will send extra photos. Browse the BE@RBRICK collection, or read BE@RBRICK sizes explained to choose the right size.
Examples from our BE@RBRICK range: the BE@RBRICK 7-Eleven 400% + 100% Set and the BE@RBRICK 7-Eleven 400%, both 2026 Japan exclusives.
Frequently asked questions
Does every BE@RBRICK have a Hidden Tag?
No. The Hidden Tag has been used since early 2022, on figures of 400% and larger and on some 200% figures. 100% figures and older releases do not have one.
My BE@RBRICK has no NFC chip. Is it fake?
Not necessarily. Only selected releases have an NFC chip, and those show the du-al.io logo on the box. No logo on the box means no chip is expected.
Is a BE@RBRICK without a hologram fake?
Most releases since 2010 have a hologram, but some small promotional figures and Happy Kuji prizes come without one. Check what is normal for that specific release.
Are the BE@RBRICK figures at M-District genuine?
Yes. We only sell official, original Medicom Toy products, new in the original box. In doubt? Email us and we will send extra photos.