Setting aside the fact that there's some obvious poor quality KO's - the kind of trash you see in $2 stores or Red Dot etc - where they may take artwork and general designs but are often a mishmash of different toys and not complete mould steals.

Some KO's like the recent ones for Masterpiece figures are nigh on identical right down to packaging. Is it that far of a stretch to imagine that instead of being KO's, they're legitimate figures produced by TakaraTomy, that for whatever reason are released by them under the guise of KO manufacturers?

I know it's common to think that some KO's are from the exact same factory as originals, but it's always assumed it's some no-gooder doing the deed after hours, not the legit manufacturer.

TT selling KO's might be a way to recoup more investment on a mould (perhaps in countries were high price items aren't as tolerated), or being able to sell the factory rejects that are otherwise write-offs?

If the same factories TT use are really behind all the KO's, how can they get away with it and continue a good relationship with the official creators? TT must surely know what's going on! We never really hear much about TT (as opposed to Hasbro) fighting against KO's, which makes the cynic in me wonder if they're in on the whole thing!

Assuming that were the case, and if they chose to honestly publicize that some toys we know as KO's were actually legit, but just rejects or not held to the same quality standards - would you have less of a problem with their existence?

If KO's were in some way keeping the legit company alive through their profits, wouldn't that be a mind blown kind of scenario for everyone!?