In the anime Gankutsuou, Beppo is a young spy and thief who works for the Roman crime lord Luigi Vampa. The character represents a significant expansion from the original novel, where the analogous figure, Peppino, is a minor shepherd with a brief role. For the anime, Beppo was created by merging two distinct characters from the book, and the role was enlarged because the writers found the character compelling. While the novel’s version is a convicted criminal, the anime’s Beppo serves as a clever and resourceful operative in Vampa’s organization.

Beppo is initially presented as a charming and flirtatious young woman, but this is a disguise. In reality, Beppo is a boy who crossdresses to more easily carry out assignments involving seduction and infiltration. This gender ambiguity is a key part of the character and is confirmed in the anime’s manga adaptation. Despite the deceptive nature of the work, Beppo possesses a personality that is playful, mischievous, and often sarcastic, providing moments of comic relief in a story driven by heavy themes of betrayal and revenge. Beneath this cunning and sharp-tongued exterior, however, Beppo demonstrates a capacity for genuine care and selflessness toward a select few people.

The primary motivation for Beppo’s actions is loyalty to Luigi Vampa, carrying out orders to spy on and entrap targets. Beppo’s most significant role in the story begins by targeting the young protagonist, Albert de Morcerf. Posing as a woman, Beppo seduces Albert and sets him up to be kidnapped by Vampa, an event that brings Albert into contact with the Count of Monte Cristo. After this incident, Beppo’s role evolves. The character becomes an observer and informant, often providing commentary on the unfolding drama among the Parisian elite. This function allows Beppo to act as a source of exposition, revealing the secret thoughts, desires, and pasts of other characters through gossip and sharp observations.

Key relationships define Beppo’s development throughout the series. The most notable is the complicated dynamic with Albert. After initially deceiving and betraying him, Beppo develops a genuine fondness for Albert. This attachment is demonstrated when Beppo helps Albert crash Eugénie de Danglars’ wedding, motivated by a desire for Albert’s happiness. The relationship with the Count of Monte Cristo is also crucial; it is implied that the Count is aware of Beppo’s true nature and may use the spy for his own purposes. Beppo’s closest professional tie is to Luigi Vampa, but the strongest personal connection formed is with Albert, leading to acts of loyalty that defy the character’s initial role as a simple thief.

In terms of abilities, Beppo’s primary skills are espionage, theft, and deception. The character is adept at pickpocketing, sneaking, and working undercover, including employment as a maid in an aristocratic household to gather intelligence. Beppo’s greatest asset is the ability to convincingly perform femininity, using assumed charm and flirtation to manipulate targets like Albert. Beneath the playful exterior, Beppo is also insightful and perceptive, capable of understanding the true motives of the powerful and dangerous people surrounding the Count. The character’s development sees a shift from a minor agent carrying out a job to a more invested individual whose personal feelings lead to actions that support Albert against the Count’s machinations.