Is Black Bean necessary for unlocking Popon?

[BrandinoCake]

I'm actually playing the 3DS version, which is basically just an updated version of the PSP port (as far as I can tell, the only real differences between the PC and Portable versions is some outfits and the rhythm bar). I already beat Normal and Hard mode, and now I only need to finish Beginner and Happy. I'm now at the end of Happy and am pulling my hair out on Black Bean; the closest I got was getting him to a pixel of health. I'm worrying that I'll miss anything if I give up on Black Bean.

[Protocol27]

You need to beat black bean in all of the difficulties in order to unlock popon.

I'd recommend getting the vampire hat and/or warriors headband (the hat that gives you extra damage) to level 5. Go in with the headband and go in with offensive, once your health gets low switch to the vampire hat to restore you health/ use one of your healing items. That's how I did it, and I took him down in a couple of minutes.

[BrandinoCake]

Thanks for the answer. I guess I need to farm some more junk for a Lvl5 Headband. Keeping track of the real Black Bean is what really got me (especially at the point when all three do super attacks).

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

I think the autotarget only ever highlights the real one, or something like that.

[Cactoos]

Also the real BlackBean has a slightly dark blueish glow around its body.