[P.O.P One Piece 20th Anniversary Year Finale Talk Show] Shanks MAXIMUM Teased! And more!

On March 8, 2025, a special talk event celebrating the 20th anniversary of MegaHouse’s Portrait.Of.Pirates (P.O.P) One Piece figure series took place at Akihabara UDX THEATER in Tokyo. Hosted by P.O.P 20th Anniversary Support Ambassadors Toshio Furukawa and Karin Takahashi, alongside Takashi Ifukube from Topio's Straw Hat Station, the event also welcomed special guests Shu Watanabe and Yuki Beppu—both passionate One Piece fans and P.O.P collectors.

The evening session, packed with excitement, featured a deep dive into the P.O.P series' 20-year journey, an audience Q&A, and exclusive figure reveals. Watanabe shared his lifelong love for One Piece, while Beppu described it as his childhood "textbook for life." The event kicked off with Furukawa and Beppu showcasing their personal P.O.P collections, setting the stage for an engaging celebration of the beloved figure line.

credit photo: hobby dengeki

Now’s the Time to Ask! P.O.P One Piece!

In the World P.O.P Newsroom segment, fans got exclusive insights into the P.O.P 20th anniversary. Lead developer Hiroki Kaneko answered burning questions from panelists and audience members, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and development secrets.

• Behind the MAXIMUM Series: What Makes the Cut?

At the event, lead developer Hiroki Kaneko shared insights into how characters are selected for the MAXIMUM line. He explained that figures requiring extreme detail, dynamic effects, or multiple weapons often exceed the limits of standard P.O.P releases, making MAXIMUM the ideal choice.

When asked by Yuki Beppu which MAXIMUM figure he'd love to see, Beppu instantly replied, "Shanks!" Kaneko then surprised fans by hinting at a new MAXIMUM Shanks in development, igniting excitement in the crowd.

• How to Get Your P.O.P Requests Heard?

Yuki Beppu asked how fans can directly influence future P.O.P releases. Kaneko explained that retailer feedback is valuable, but the most effective method is participating in event surveys, especially at MegaHobby EXPO, where the team closely reviews responses.

• The Toughest P.O.P Design Challenge!

When asked about the most difficult figure to design, Kaneko revealed that WA-MAXIMUM Roronoa Zoro Ver. Kyutoryu ‘Ashura’ was a major challenge. Adjusting his stance, body angle, and color balance required extensive back-and-forth between sculptors and painters, reflecting the intense dedication behind every P.O.P release.

• The Biggest P.O.P Ever?

Shu Watanabe asked which character would be the biggest if MegaHouse could make any P.O.P without limits. Kaneko revealed his dream project: the Giant Warrior Pirates—Dorry, Brogy, and Hajrudin.

Toshio Furukawa followed up, asking how big they would actually be. Kaneko laughed, admitting, "Pretty huge… and that’s the challenge." He explained that even standard-sized figures, like SA-MAXIMUM Charlotte Katakuri, can struggle with display space due to dynamic poses. His behind-the-scenes insights gave fans a fun glimpse into the complexities of figure sizing.

• Why Has P.O.P Thrived for 20 Years?

When asked about P.O.P’s longevity, Kaneko credited One Piece’s enduring global appeal and, most importantly, the unwavering support of fans. "You are the reason P.O.P has lasted 20 years," he concluded, leaving the audience inspired.

• Collaborations with Kotobukiya & Alter

Kaneko discussed MegaHouse’s partnerships with Kotobukiya and Alter, noting how each collaboration brought fresh insights and nostalgic ties to past projects. He hinted at future commemorative releases, sparking anticipation for what’s next.

• Exclusive Fan Q&A – Off-Record Details!

Fans eagerly asked about re-releases and potential new MAXIMUM figures. While Kaneko acknowledged these requests, details remained exclusive to attendees. The mystery only heightened excitement for future P.O.P announcements!

credit photo: hobby dengeki

Grand Reveal: P.O.P 20th Anniversary Figures!

The excitement peaked during the special Fire Fist Topio Topics segment, where Toshio Furukawa and Hiroki Kaneko unveiled upcoming P.O.P releases. With the lead planner himself on stage, fans were treated to exclusive insights and thrilling figure announcements!

• Boa Hancock "Pirate Empress" - A×MAXIMUM

The first major reveal was the stunning painted prototype of A×MAXIMUM – Pirate Empress Boa Hancock. Sculpted by Hiroshi Inagaki from Alter, this figure marks a bold departure from previous Hancock releases. Kaneko shared a behind-the-scenes moment: Over a decade ago, Inagaki had expressed interest in sculpting Hancock, and Kaneko remembered this when selecting the project. Upon reaching out, Inagaki eagerly accepted the challenge. Initially, his sculpt leaned towards a softer, cuter aesthetic, but careful refinements ensured a perfect balance with One Piece’s signature style.

Unlike her usual composed poses, this Hancock captures a powerful battle stance—fierce yet graceful. With sculpting by Alter’s Inagaki and expert paintwork by Pinpoint, the result is a seamless blend of strength and beauty. One of the toughest aspects? Hancock’s snake companion, Salome. This time, the team pushed for intricate, realistic scale textures, elevating the figure’s overall detail.

Kaneko reflected on working with top-tier teams like Alter and Kotobukiya:

"It was inspiring—but also a lot of pressure! We pushed our limits… and honestly, I’d love to do it again!" (laughs)

With unparalleled craftsmanship and an action-packed pose, this Hancock is shaping up to be one of P.O.P’s most breathtaking releases yet!

• Trafalgar Law "Surgeon of Death" - P.O.P WA-MAXIMUM

The next major reveal was WA×MAXIMUM – Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law [Awakening], making its painted prototype debut at the event.

Furukawa was immediately captivated by its striking design, exclaiming:

"It’s breathtaking! The blend of blue, yellow, and black is stunning, and the effect parts are simply overwhelming!" The swirling energy effects of Law’s Awakening ability added an intense dynamism, making this a standout in the WA×MAXIMUM lineup.

Actor Shu Watanabe, impressed by the intricate details, asked what the biggest challenge was. Kaneko explained that balancing the pose while maintaining an active, high-energy look was especially difficult. From the start, the team aimed to incorporate realistic light reflection effects, carefully painting Law’s coat, rocks, and even his palms to capture depth and motion.

Kaneko also highlighted Law’s expression:

"This is the most villainous face we’ve ever given Law in the P.O.P series (laughs). You can feel the intensity of battle in his grin!"

With its dynamic sculpt, meticulous paintwork, and menacing expression, this Trafalgar Law figure is a must-have for MAXIMUM collectors!

credit photo: hobby dengeki

Fan Favorites Return – P.O.P MAXIMUM Reprint Rankings & Surprise Announcements!

The P.O.P MAXIMUM Reprint Request Survey results were revealed, with Kaido of the Beasts and Jinbe, Knight of the Sea officially confirmed for reprints! While Boa Hancock placed third, she will return in a reimagined collaboration with Alter.

But the surprises didn’t stop there! The crowd erupted in applause when two legendary figures were announced for special revival releases:

• NEO-MAXIMUM – "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate (Pre-orders open March 14!)

• Portgas D. Ace – P.O.P 15th LIMITED Ver. (Pre-order details TBA)

Fans can now reunite Whitebeard, Ace, and Marco to complete the Whitebeard Pirates trio! As an extra surprise, P.O.P CB-EX Nico Robin Ver. Dereshi! is also making a long-awaited comeback! Even guests Watanabe and Beppu couldn’t hide their excitement, exclaiming, "We want this so bad!"

Stay tuned for pre-order updates!