Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2013

Japan is overrun with vapidly cute characters, but occasionally one stands out from the crowd. Meet Control Bear, which at first glance looks like a normal cuddly toy teddy. A closer look reveals he is actually taking off his own head. The slightly dark twist has scored countless fans and the headless wonder that first appeared on shirts at T-Graniph now has a new shop in Harajuku’s LaForet, T-shirts released by fashion brand Nozomi Ishiguro and a line of plush toys. Designer Nagatake Uehara explains that there is a concept behind the name: “You control everything. Be strong willed and don’t be controlled by others or just follow what others expect you to do.”
www.controlbear.com
One lucky Metropolis reader will win a limited edition Control Bear plush toy. Email giveaways@metropolis.co.jp with the name of the US president teddy bears are named after.