Is this a Knock Off? (post here for help)

[Shirokaze]

Ironically it's the reverse in Japan where most TFs are legit and finding fakes is such a rarity, there are some Japanese collectors who intentionally collect fakes because they see it as a novelty (because it's so uncommon).

THIS! I wasn't even able to find third party stuff in japan. I'm guessing illegitimate goods must be heavily looked down upon by collectors there, not to mention the legal repercussions of selling such things.

I found shopping for transformers in HK really difficult too, because there was probably as many fakes as there was genuine items.