Dinotales Variants {?), Re-molded re-issues or Fakes

Recently I acquired a lot of Kaiyodo Dinotales figures, many of which are duplicates of I already have.  But on close examination, they are different.

I found out that Series One has 2 versions, but version one has re-molded or just slightly differently painted re-issues, which on close examination is determined by a dot after the number, Example: Suchomimus

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This model has 009 (no dot after the number).

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This model has 009.

See the difference in paint job?

Here are some Series 2 figures, but the dot appears after UHA:

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Left has KAIYODO 033. UHA.
Right has KAIYODO 033. UHA
pegs are different, color of stand on the right are all green etc.

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Left has KAIYODO 038. UHA. and has better details
Right has KAIYODO 038. UHA
Their heads and bodies were molded differently.

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Can't see clearly the difference on the markings but they are marked differently inside (arrangement of the words).
Differences in the molds and the one on the left has better details.

Hope someone could shed some light on these accidental discoveries.  TIA!

Hi Doc,

I don't have enough time to go into detailed specifics here but I do have a large body of reference and first hand source information on Kaiyodo dinosaurs.

The first three series of Dinotales/Chocolasaurs were produced in very large numbers (multiple thousands) over a longer period of time than later series which were effectively 'one offs' in production terms. Later runs were produced as one batch, shipped and sold. The first three series were produced until Kaiyodo  gave the cease production order. What this means is that molding issues were corrected during the runs so that, in some cases, individual model construction changed as molds were modified/renewed etc. As you would expect, although paint standards remained high during production, over time there were gradual changes in patterning and application styles. I'm informed that this may be down to supplier changeovers mid production as well.

Obviously, this doesn't apply to tandem issued, alternate paint sets or limited editions which is still a bit of a mystery area as it is not yet clear how many limited or promotional editions were issued or sanctioned. It seems that this is a far larger area than at first realised.

There are also notable quality differences when you have a selection of the same figures to examine. To understand this you need to know that you have your bog standard production run figures (a bit harsh as Kaiyodo production standards are second to none anyway), your collectors edition pre assembled figures (available as singles or packed as multiples in boxes) and you have special/deluxe edition promotional figures. The special/deluxe editions were not available as sale items but were company gifts to executives etc. Those figures were usually hand assembled and individually finished in Japan by company experts and packaged in deluxe sets. They are mighty impressive things and a set can command thousands. It's hard to explain until you see a production run figure next to a deluxe edition figure but there is really no comparison. The deluxe figures really are breathtakingly awesome.

I have checked with sources in Japan and, as yet, there are no known Kaiyodo dinotales/Chocolasaur bootlegs or pirate figures. This is pretty much a myth due to confusion with regards to what's already been explained. It's a different story with Kaiyodo anime and robot figures which have been pirated but then there is a far larger market for those.

I hope that helps.

Gosh ! I totally missed this topic

They are beautyful, Doc

Thankyou, John, for this useful information

Interresting topic Docronnie and very useful information Blackdanter, what a knowledge Thank you both

What a wealth of knowledge. Thanks a lot Blackdanter! :)

Thanks Susanne and Christophe for appreciating the topic. :)

Yes ! This kind of information is extremely valuable, - GREAT topic

That's scaring interersting! Thanks to you both for all information provided.

Thanks for appreciating, Roger! :-)