The Rise of AI Figure Images: Harmless Fun or Misleading Trend?

In the last year anime communities have been flooded with a strange new type of image. At first glance they look exactly like official product photos of anime figures. The characters stand on acrylic bases, lit by soft desk lamps, and sometimes even packaged in fully illustrated boxes. Collectors share them widely, only to discover that these figures do not exist. They are AI-generated images designed to mimic commercial figure photography.

This trend has grown so quickly that it now has dedicated hashtags on platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Pixiv. Some fans enjoy the creativity of imagining figures that may never be produced. Others, especially dedicated collectors, are far less impressed. For them these images blur the line between reality and fantasy in ways that create false hype, confusion, and even scams.

AI generated figure image of a real idol

What These Images Are and How They Are Made

AI generated figure images are different from regular fanart or 3D renders. Instead of showing a drawing or a digital sculpt, they attempt to reproduce the entire product photography style of figure manufacturers.

The main tools driving the trend are Google Gemini’s “Nano Banana” prompt and Stable Diffusion with figure styled LoRAs. Midjourney and Veo have also been used, although their results are less consistent when it comes to packaging.

What makes these images convincing is not only the character itself but the staging. Most share the same formula:

• A figure placed on a wooden desk or glass shelf.
• A monitor in the background showing a 3D sculpting program like ZBrush or Blender.
• A round transparent acrylic base labeled as 1/7 scale in the prompt.
• A packaging box styled after Bandai or Good Smile, often with character art on the front.

Each of these details feels familiar to collectors. Combined, they create the illusion of a legitimate product photo.

AI image of Tanjiro figure

Why Collectors Push Back

For casual fans these images can be entertaining. They allow you to imagine what it would look like if your favorite character had a high-quality scale figure. Some even create AI figures of themselves or their pets as a playful experiment.

Collectors, however, see things differently:

• Not real collectibles: A photo of a fake figure might be pretty, but it cannot be displayed in a case or enjoyed in person. Owning the physical object is central to the hobby.
• False hype: Many fans have already been tricked into thinking a figure was officially announced. They share their excitement, only to learn it was AI. This leads to disappointment and erodes trust in figure news.
• Scam risk: Shady sellers are starting to use AI figure images in fake preorder listings. A buyer might believe the figure is real and pay for a preorder that never ships. In some cases, they receive a random bootleg, but often they simply lose their money.

The community reaction has been strong. Subreddits like r/AnimeFigures now post warnings urging fans to double-check new figure photos before getting excited.

How to Spot Fake AI Figures

Even the most polished AI generated figure images usually contain telltale errors. Collectors have become adept at spotting them:

• Hair and fine details: Real PVC figures cannot produce dozens of ultra-thin hair strands. If the hair looks more like a digital painting than molded plastic, be suspicious.
• Base and physics issues: Figures without bases, or balancing on one tiny peg, would never stand in reality. AI often ignores gravity.
• Packaging mistakes: Box art that does not match the figure’s pose, gibberish text, misspelled logos, or fake brand marks are clear giveaways.
• Background repetition: Many AI images use the same environment: a desk, an RGB keyboard, and a monitor with a 3D model. If it feels like déjà vu, it probably is.
• Faces and eyes: AI still struggles with anime faces. Eyes may look slightly off or expressions may feel uncanny.
• Duplicate characters: Sometimes the figure appears outside the box and also inside it at the same time. A real photo would never show this.

Spotting even one of these flaws usually means the image is generated.

Prevention and Awareness

To avoid disappointment or scams, collectors can follow a few simple rules:

1. Verify official sources. Always check manufacturer websites, reputable retailers, or databases like MyFigureCollection. If an image has no official confirmation, treat it as unverified.
2. Beat AI with AI using MyFigureList’s reverse image search. A reliable way to confirm authenticity is to upload the suspicious photo directly into our figure search tool. If the product is not in our database, it is very likely fake. This works even if you do not know the character’s name or series, making it the fastest way to check whether a figure is real, search here.

Guide how to use reverse image search

3. Be skeptical of random posts. Real figure announcements are always covered by known news outlets and shop accounts, not just by a single unknown user.
4. Shop carefully. Avoid listings that rely on only one suspicious photo or come from sellers with no reputation. Stick to trusted retailers.
5. Value the real thing. The joy of collecting comes from displaying actual figures and appreciating the sculptors’ and painters’ work. AI images are just digital illusions.

Conclusion: Fun but Misleading

AI generated figure photos are an interesting mix of technology and fandom. They allow fans to visualize ideas that may never exist as physical products. Seeing a beloved character in glossy PVC style can be fun and inspiring.

At the same time they also carry risks. They create false excitement, confuse collectors, and open the door for scams. They undermine the authenticity of a hobby that is built on tangible objects and craftsmanship.

The best approach is balance. Enjoy AI figure images as playful experiments, but always double check before believing they are real. When in doubt, upload the picture to the MyFigureList search engine to confirm if the product exists in the database. Keep the spotlight on genuine figures, because that is where the artistry and value of the hobby truly lie.