Plush Name: Stuffed Collection Feat. P.O.P. Bepo
Plush Maker: Megahouse
Retail/List Price: ¥4,000
Available at: HobbyLink Japan

Okay, I can't keep this to myself: I absolutely adore this plush. Phew, I didn't think I could even keep it bottled up that long! Now, onto why this Bepo is so great. Let's start with the box.

There is a lot to see on this guy's box. For a plush collector who is used to the goods arriving in a plastic bag, this a nice change of pace. I did notice that the Bepo plush on the box versus the one you receive look a tad different. The one on the box looks a bit leaner and less huggable. I much prefer the actual product.

Even on the top and sides, pictures are shown. It isn't overly busy with images, but isn't empty either. The box has a sort of nice balance. Also, see that martial arts pose that Bepo is doing in one of the pictures? Freaking impossible. I did make an attempt though. More on that later.

This is quite possibly the most interesting and informative box I have seen in a long, long time. The big image of Bepo even has him saying "Aye, Aye Captain!" I melt. I also really like the scale image because it shows the height proportions are similar to those in the anime, in which Bepo is taller than the human crew (he is a bipedal bear, after all).

Now, before we free Bepo from his cardboard prison, let's have a look at the inside. After pulling the cardboard insert out, you can see that Megahouse even took some time to spruce up the inside of the box by decorating with the Heart Pirates insignia and Bepo's name. Taking Bepo out was a piece of cake. There were only two twist-ties holding him in. There was also some sort of clingy tape around his midsection that I had to had take off. I assume its purpose was to protect the painted insignias on the front and back of Bepo's jumpsuit.

Yay! Bepo in all his fuzzy glory! I am most impressed by his face, with the furrowed eyebrows and the beady safety eyes. The mouth is so thickly embroidered that it gives the impression of an extra piece of fabric (I imagine this is more secure). His muzzle sticks out every so slightly from his pudgy face (you could pinch his cheeks!). 

His paws have nice details to them as well. The palm-sides have rubbery paw prints on them. I'm not entirely sure how they are secured, but they definitely aren't going anywhere. The tops of his paws have black nails made from different-colored fabric, with embroidery defining each digit. 

Did I mention Bepo was poseable? Well, he is. Inside his plump, plush body is skeleton that has a bunch of joints in it that allow for a seemingly infinite amount of poses. Here he is displaying his Heart Pirate mark on the back of his jumpsuit while showing off his impressive arm span of about 15 inches.

Remember that simple-looking martial arts pose from the box? Yeah... This is as close as I got with that one. It looks more like Bepo is trying to maintain his balance after tripping on crack in the sidewalk. Okay, so that pose was a bust, but, what about Bepo's general poseability? I'd say it's actually pretty good. Check out some of the poses I was able to accomplish with ease.

Here is Bepo playing "I'm a little teapot, short and stout." I was humming that for the rest of the photo shoot. Thanks, Bepo.

"We have you completely surrounded! Come out with your hands up!" 

Now, Bepo, after a little song and dance, begs for your applause. 

Phew! I guess I wore the poor bear out. Time for a siesta. I suppose now would be a good time for me to wrap the review then.

Megahouse has another winner with its One Piece Stuffed Collection P.O.P Bepo. I couldn't find a single flaw quality-wise, and he was very easy to pose (martial arts kick thingy notwithstanding). I had a ton of fun with putting him in many silly poses which he was a very good sport about. If I had to complain about something, it would be the box art (which isn't event really the toy), it doesn't represent the final product and I couldn't replicate the pose on the side of the box to save my life. Otherwise, I highly recommend this plush. He would make a great companion to either a plush or figure collection. 

[A big thank-you to Hobbylink Japan for supplying us with this review sample!]