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Warning! This article may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk. |
- Not to be confused with the episode of the same name.
| Kuniko Kasahara | |
|---|---|
| Biographical info | |
| Name | Kuniko Kasahara |
| Japanese name | 笠原 邦子 |
| Nickname | Paper Fold-up Man |
| Alias | Origami |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Race | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Personal info | |
| Status | Incarcerated |
| Profession | Thief Art collector |
| Residence | Kasahara Residence (Paris, France) |
| Affiliation | Kasahara Exports |
| Opponents | Chan Clan |
| Magical ability | Paper-based shapeshifting |
| Details | |
| Debut/Closing | Season 2 Episode 14 |
| Voiced by | Tim Dang |
"The way I heard it told, he was just a small-timer; vending machines, picking pockets, little penny-ante heists. Until, one day, he found an enchanted square of paper with the power to transform. The paper, well, let's just say it remade him." |
Kuniko Kasahara is a private art collector and the owner of the Paris-based company Kasahara Exports. Secretly, Kasahara is the true identity of Origami, a legendary thief with the magical ability to transform himself into a shape-shifting origami figure.
Appearance[]
Kuniko Kasahara is depicted as a Japanese man with a sleek and sophisticated appearance. His facial features are sharp and refined, embodying the characteristics of a cunning thief who blends into high society while secretly engaging in criminal activities. His stylish choice of attire reflects his status as a wealthy art collector. As Origami, Kasahara is capable of transforming into a number of different figures made out of paper, showcasing his magical abilities.
History[]
Becoming Origami[]
The paper that transformed him.
According to legend, Kuniko Kasahara was originally a small-time thief before becoming Origami and engaged in petty crimes such as looting and pickpocketing. At an eventual point in his career, Kasahara came across an enchanted square of paper that magically bonded with him, transforming the thief into a shape-shifting origami figure with the ability to fold like paper into a number of different shapes. This transformation effectively enabled Kasahara to commit more ambitious thefts on a larger scale. As a calling card, he was known to leave a small origami figure in place of what he stole after every successful heist. Upon establishing himself as the legendary thief Origami, Kasahara was known only to steal the most valuable of Far Eastern art, and was even suspected of possessing more Far Eastern art than the Far East itself whilst maintaining the guise of being a private art collector.
Conflict with Jackie Chan[]
Origami's calling card.
When Jackie Chan was summoned to verify the authenticity of a potentially valuable 11th-century painting from the Northern Song Dynasty at the University Art Archive[2] in Paris, he caught Origami, who had assumed the form of a fold-up paper warrior, attempting to steal the evidently valuable artwork from the university's gallery. Jackie pursued the thief as he attempted to escape with the painting, ultimately cornering him on the rooftop of the building. At that point, Origami transformed into a fold-up paper bird and flew away with the painting.
With the authorities unwilling to believe Jackie's tale of events, Jade enlisted the help of Viper, affirming that they must think like a thief in order to catch one. Only tangentially familiar with the legend of Origami, Viper introduced Jackie and Jade to Fox, the proprietor of a tavern with ties to the criminal underworld of Paris, who revealed that Origami only targeted the most valuable of Far Eastern art. Aware of the thief's penchant for stealing only the finest of art from the Far East, the three set out to warn Kuniko Kasahara, suspecting that his vast collection of Far Eastern art may be Origami's next target. When Kasahara declined Jackie's offer of assistance, the three climbed onto the roof of a building overlooking his private gallery, hoping to get the jump on Origami. At that moment, Jade observed Kasahara transform his entire hand into a fold-up paper key, using it to open a hidden vault containing all of the stolen artworks, revealing Kasahara to be the true identity of Origami. When Jackie leaped down to confront Kasahara and retrieve the stolen painting, a fight ensued in which Origami employed his paper fold-up powers. Amidst the resulting battle, Viper resorted to using a pair of Kasahara's own 12th-century swords against him, providing Jackie with a pair of makeshift scissors, overpowering Origami by exposing a vulnerable weakness. Kasahara subsequently transformed back to his human form, coinciding with the timely arrival of the police, allowing him to trick them into thinking that Jackie, Jade and Viper were the aggressors.
Kasahara in prison.
After escaping from the authorities, the three deduced that in order to apprehend Origami, they had to catch him in the act. Jackie, Jade and Viper proceeded to sneak into the Louvre Museum, anticipating Origami to target the Ming Exhibit. Lying in wait, Origami attempted to trap the three in the exhibit room after triggering the alarm upon stealing a large urn. Whilst successfully managing to escape the museum, the urn proved too heavy for Origami to fly away with, forcing the thief to flee on foot. Kasahara then attempted to flee in a stolen car, but was eventually caught up with by Jackie, who managed to wrestle the urn from his grasp, prompting the former to chase after him. With Origami in pursuit, Jackie managed to lure Kasahara to the top of the Eiffel Tower, only to eventually find himself cornered. Rather than surrender the urn, Jackie threw it across the other side of the tower, prompting Kasahara to dive over and catch it, allowing Jackie to leap on top of him and fold the thief into a small hand-sized package before stuffing him into the very urn he intended to steal. A disenchanted Kasahara, no longer able to deploy his paper fold-up powers, is ultimately revealed to have been incarcerated for his crimes. He is last seen creating an origami figure of Jackie before crushing it in his hand.
Personality[]
In his public persona, Kuniko Kasahara maintains the image of a respectable art collector, but beneath this facade, he is revealed to be a legendary criminal mastermind. As a master thief, Kasahara demonstrates exceptional intelligence and cunning, with his ability to plan elaborate heists and evade capture showcasing his strategic thinking and resourcefulness. Kasahara's penchant for stealing the finest of Far Eastern art indicates a sophisticated appreciation for cultural beauty whilst enabling him to cultivate his reputation as a legendary thief.
Powers and Abilities[]
Origami's main form.
As Origami, Kuniko Kasahara possesses the magical shape-shifting ability to fold himself into various shapes made out of paper. His preferred form is that of a humanoid figure, but can also change into the form of a samurai, a falcon, a crane, a rhinoceros, a giant spider, a parachute and a pterodactyl. He is also capable of making small-scale transformations, such as turning just his finger into a key. This versatility enables him to adapt to different situations during his criminal activities. Kasahara can manipulate his form to fit through small spaces, making him an elusive target during heists. Additionally, he can extend his paper appendages over considerable distances and possesses the ability to cut through various materials with the sharp edges of his body, including solid walls, the hood of an ambulance and the steel components of towers.
Weaknesses[]
One of the most significant weaknesses of Kuniko Kasahara is his fear and vulnerability to bladed weapons. During confrontations, he has shown a strong aversion to being attacked with swords or other sharp objects. This fear was evident when Jackie Chan and Viper confronted him with a pair of swords, causing him to cower in fear and attempt to escape.
Another weakness is that others can manipulate him physically due to his paper-like nature. In one instance, Jackie Chan was able to fold him into a small hand-sized package after overpowering him during their confrontation. This indicates that once caught off guard or overpowered, Kasahara can be easily subdued.
Kasahara's paper form is particularly susceptible when exposed to water. This characteristic makes him vulnerable during rainy conditions or if he is splashed with water.
Notable Transformations[]
Appearances[]
TV Series[]
Season 2[]
- "Origami"
Comic Strips[]
The J-Team[]
Trivia[]
- Origami's background theme incorporates the use of a paixiao, a Chinese pan flute.