PokéShiny FindsAuldey vs Tomy: all the differences (both are official)
How to tell an Auldey apart from a Japanese Tomy, point by point — without mistaking it for bootleg.
Auldey and Tomy are both official. Auldey was the branch that manufactured and distributed Tomy figures for certain markets (outside Japan), under license, the same way Hasbro did in the US or Funskool did in India. It's not bootleg, it's not a copy: it's the same figure made by a different factory.
That said, an Auldey and a Japanese Tomy are not identical. These are the real differences, so you know exactly what you're holding.
1. The base engraving
The most direct difference: the Auldey has the name "Auldey" engraved, in addition to the ©. The typography, placement, and sometimes the licensing text itself differ from the Japanese one. The Japanese version usually has the Japanese engraving / ©Nintendo·CGTSJ without the word Auldey.
2. The finish and material
The finish quality varies compared to the Japanese version. It's not always worse, but it's different: the plastic tone, polish, and paint application can change from factory to factory.
3. Sculpt/color details per piece
There are specific cases that give away the origin. The most cited: the Auldey Gengar is not translucent, while certain Japanese versions are. That kind of piece-by-piece difference is exactly what confuses those who don't know — and makes them scream "bootleg!" when it's actually a legitimate Auldey with a different finish.
4. Region and distribution
Auldey circulated in markets different from Japan's. That means different packaging, inserts, and languages on the original blister/box.
5. Market value
Here there is indeed a gap, but it's a collector preference, not authenticity:
- On common pieces, an Auldey is usually worth 10–20% less than its Japanese equivalent.
- The difference grows on rare pieces: a premium is paid for the Japanese engraving / Nintendo mark.
It's not that the Auldey is "less real": it's that the market rewards the Japanese version.
Comparison table
| Aspect | Tomy (Japan) | Auldey |
|---|---|---|
| Base engraving | ©Nintendo/CGTSJ, Japanese | Includes "Auldey" |
| Finish | Reference standard | Variable |
| Example | Translucent Gengar | Gengar NOT translucent |
| Value | Base | ~10–20% less (more on rares) |
| Status | Official | Official |
The bottom line
Both are legitimate. If you have an Auldey, you have an official figure — don't dismiss it or toss it out thinking it's pirated. It's simply the regional version, with its own engraving and finish, and a market value a bit lower than the Japanese one.
Have a piece and don't know if it's Auldey, Japanese Tomy, or flat-out bootleg? The PokéFig detector tells them apart by their tells, without mistaking an official branch for a copy.