KAWS · Authentication
Companion Flayed: real vs fake
The Companion Flayed (Dissected) is the cut-open Companion — the skin is peeled back to expose the sculpted anatomy. The 2016 Open Edition (11 in) came in grey, black and brown, with Blush in 2017, and its paint is monochrome: the innards are rendered in shades of the body color. What separates real from crude copies is the crispness of the relief and the muscle sculpt, alongside the "©KAWS" foot emboss and the XX eyes. Upload photos to LegitCheck AI and the model reads the anatomy, paint and stamp.
What to check on the Companion Flayed
Model-specific zones — on top of the brand-level signs.
Dissected anatomy sculpt
The Flayed shows a cut-open body: muscles, ribs and organs are sculpted with sharp edges and depth. The genuine relief is detailed and legible; fakes smear the anatomy, let details merge, and leave transitions flat.
Tonal anatomy paint
The anatomy paint is tonal: on the Open Edition (2016 in grey, black, brown; 2017 in Blush) the innards are rendered in shades of one body color, not as multicolored organs. Judge the crispness of the relief and whether paint clogs the edges; separate “anatomical” colors only appear on special versions — match against your own release.
©KAWS foot stamp
The foot is embossed with "©KAWS" and the year; a maker mark (Medicom Toy / OriginalFake / AllRightsReserved) is not on every release, and its absence alone is not a fake tell. Match the set, font and emboss depth against your own drop; a crooked emboss, wrong spacing, or a completely missing emboss signals a copy.
XX eyes
Even on the dissected version the signature "XX" eyes remain, with symmetrical strokes. Check the thickness and placement of the crosses relative to the skull head — fakes render them lopsided or off-center.
Vinyl and seam alignment
The finish matches the release and the side seams meet with no flashing. Visible in photos: the emboss and maker mark, color boundaries, the anatomy relief, proportions and box print — on fakes the seam wanders and the surface ripples in places. Only verifiable in hand (not from photos): the weight and density of the vinyl, joint movement, the sound of the plastic; missing those checks does not lower the verdict.
Box and release branding
The box print carries correct branding (Medicom Toy / OriginalFake depending on the release), a barcode, and the right artwork. Resealed boxes or packaging that does not match the release are red flags.
Where to inspect
The key zones to photograph and check on this type of item — a schematic, not a product photo.
- 1Box printing
- 2Window and blister
- 3Paint and face
- 4Build and stand
- 5COA and sticker
The difference is in the details — drag the slider
Typical differences in workmanship: stitching consistency, edge finishing, detail quality. Left — factory quality, right — common replica flaws.
Replica
Authentic Photo angles for the check
- 1 Overall view
- 2 Logo / tag
- 3 Details & stitching
- 4 Material
Check your Companion Flayed right now
Snap photos of your item and get an AI verdict with a confidence score in about a minute.
FAQ
What matters most on the Flayed?
The dissected anatomy: ribs, muscles and organs sculpted crisply and with depth, and paint that does not clog the edges. On the Open Edition the paint is monochrome — shades of the body color rather than multicolored organs — so “few colors” is normal here. Smeared relief and paint spilling past edges give away a copy.
Is the stamp different from the standard Companion?
The method is the same: a "©KAWS" foot emboss with the year, plus a maker mark on some releases. Match the emboss against photos of the same Flayed release — there is no universal “correct” code, and a missing maker name on its own does not prove a fake.
Can I verify it from photos?
Yes. The anatomy, organ paint, XX eyes and stamp all show clearly in images. Shoot the body from the front, the sole and the box — LegitCheck AI returns a verdict with a confidence score.
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