Pepakura is a loanword and comes from an English word papercraft. So it’s not about Japanese traditional paper art like the well-known origami, but more about hitting the “Japanese ray” into a traditional cut and paste that has been familiar since childhood.
Pepakura can be used to make really impressive figures, depending on the number of folds placed in the model - the more meticulously folded, the harder it is to make the craft a success. Success, on the other hand, is, of course, a relative concept, because every craftsman has his or her own approach and goals - there is no wrong way to tinker with pepakura, having fun is the main thing in the hobby.
The easiest way to get started is to simply download and print out your favorite templates and get started! Otaku are, of course, most interested in characters from their favorite series, and most of these can be found as files created with Tama Software's Pepakura Designer. The Designer includes both a Pepakura editor and viewer. The full program license for the editor is subject to a fee, but printing characters created with the editor is free of charge.
Pepakura Designer 6 can be downloaded free of charge from the Tama Software website:
https://tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura_designer/download/
In the meantime, it may be appropriate to put the word about access rights and user responsibility again - This article is intended to be informative and not to advertise or encourage readers to install any programs. Pepakura editor and viewer are programs developed and maintained by third parties, each of which is used at its sole discretion and responsibility. Always read and abide by the terms of use and agreements of the software providers. Finanime is in no way affiliated with Tama Software ltd and cannot influence or be liable for any damages that may result from the use of third party software.
The designer is quite user-friendly. After installation, open the downloaded character model file with the program and select "print." The viewer is not necessarily limited to printing; it is also a great help in crafting. You can click on any part of the 3D wireframe model of the character, and the program will highlight it on the print form – and vice versa, the part clicked on the form will be highlighted in the model. This allows you to quickly check which parts belong where.
A few words about copyright: characters and other registered products are, of course, still the property of their respective trademark owners, so fan-made Pepakura models and files are distributed among fans free of charge without exception. The purpose of fan art is not to make money from an unlicensed "product" but to show respect and simply to be a fan.
There are also many websites online, including Japanese hobbyist sites that inspire people to do crafts with pepakura. They are fairly easy to find with search engines, and searching for them is fun in itself!
That's really all you need to know about pepakura to get started - comfortable craft moments!