This Origami Charizard is one of the coolest models by designer Jo Nakashima.
Everyone knows this Fire-type Pokémon from its orange skin and burning tail. It looks powerful and ready for a big battle.
You start with a simple square base and slowly create massive wings and sharp horns. It takes patience, but this is a must-have model for folders who are also Pokémon fans.
Check out my Origami Pikachu tutorial. It is much easier and makes a great companion for your new dragon.
If you are new to origami, start here from our beginner guide to know the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.
- Folding time: 1 hour
- Paper: 15×15 cm
- Total steps: 57
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Designer: Jo Nakashima
Material
We use a piece of a 15 cm x 15 cm square sheet of paper to create a finished Charizard measuring 7.5 cm x 6 cm.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper in a diamond shape, and with the desired display side face up. Fold and unfold the paper in half both horizontally and vertically to create a cross-shaped crease pattern in the center. Flip the paper from left to right.
Step 2
Fold and unfold the paper in half edge-to-edge in both directions.
Step 3
Based on these existing creases, bring the top, left, and right points to the bottom point. Flatten the fold to form a smaller square.
Step 4
On the top layer, fold the bottom-left and bottom-right edges to meet the center vertical crease. Crease firmly and unfold (pics 1-2).
Fold the top corner down, and unfold (pics 3-5).
Step 5
Open the pocket based on the creases created by the previous step. Then lift the top layer, and use your hands to flatten the pocket.
Step 6
Turn over from left to right. On the top square, fold the top left and top right edges to meet the center vertical crease, and unfold them.
Step 7
Lift the left triangle layer, open and squash it (Pics 1-2). On this new diamond shape, fold the bottom-left and bottom-right edges inward to meet the center vertical line (Pic 3). Press firmly to create sharp creases, then unfold both (Pics 4–5).
Step 8
Lift the bottom edge of the triangle toward the top (Pic 1). Using your fingers, push the side corners inward along the pre-creases, similar to the motion used for a Frog Base (Pic 2). Flatten the layers to form a narrow diamond shape (Pic 3). Finally, fold this new pointed flap downward (Pics 4–5).
Step 9
Fold the right-side triangle layer to the left along the center vertical line (Pic 1).
Mirror Step 7 on the right side by squashing the triangle and pre-creasing the bottom edges (Pics 2-6).
Step 10
Repeat step 8 (Pics 1-4), finish by folding the top layer of the left side over to the right (Pics 5–6).
Step 11
Fold the lower pointed corner downward along the center horizontal crease (Pic 1). Next, fold the bottom corner of the top layer upward so it touches the intersection point of the creases in the center (Pic 2). Press firmly, then unfold it (Pics 3-4).
Step 12
Fold the bottom-left edge of the top layer upward so it aligns with the horizontal crease you made in Step 11. Crease well, and unfold (Pics 1–2). Repeat this on the bottom-right edge (Pics 3–5).
Step 13
Pinch the bottom corner upward using the creases you just made (Pic 1). This will create a small triangular flap that stands up from the surface (Pic 2). Fold this small flap over to the right side and press it flat (Pics 3–4).
Step 14
Rotate the model 90° so the bottom corner faces you, then lift the specific layer containing the small triangular flap (Pic 1). Fold the top corner of this layer down to reveal the small triangular flap, then lift it to a 90° vertical position (Pics 2–3).
Now, lower this layer while pushing that small triangular flap through the middle of the side flaps toward the back (Pic 4). Rotate the model 90° back to the original side view (Pics 5-6).
Step 15
Turn the model over 180° to the back (Pic 1). Flatten the protruding triangular flap to the right side, then turn the model over again to return to the front (Pics 2–3).
Fold the bottom corner of the top diamond upward along the horizontal line connecting the two red dots (Pic 4). Finally, fold the bottom-left and bottom-right edges toward the center (Pics 5–6).
Step 16
Fold the model in half vertically from left to right. Rotate the model 90° counterclockwise so it lies horizontally.
Step 17
Fold the top-right edge of the upper layer down to meet the center vertical crease (Pic 1). This movement will automatically pull a small section of paper open. Pinch this opening toward the center and squash it flat toward the right side (Pics 2–4).
Step 18
Flip the model over 180° to the other side (Pic 1). Mirror the process from Step 17 by folding the top-left edge down to the center vertical crease (Pic 2). Pinch the resulting opening toward the center and squash it flat toward the left side (Pics 3–5).
Step 19
Fold the bottom corner of the top triangle flap upward along the horizontal base, crease it firmly, and unfold (Pics 1–2).
On the right side of this same flap, lift only the top layer along the slanted crease indicated by the black dashed line. This motion will open a pocket automatically (Pics 3–4).
Continue pulling the layer upward until the pocket is fully extended, then flatten the entire section along the horizontal crease you just made (Pics 5–6).
Step 20
On the upper trapezoid layer, fold the bottom-right corner diagonally inward a small amount (Pic 1). Press this crease firmly, then unfold it to leave a clear guide (Pic 2).
Lift the top layer and perform an inside reverse fold by pushing that same corner inward along the crease, tucking it between the layers (Pics 3–6).
Step 21
Flip the model over 180° to the other side. Fold the bottom corner of the triangle layer upward along the horizontal base, crease it firmly, and unfold to create a guide.
Step 22
Complete the wing squash by lifting the top layer on the current side and flattening it upward (Pics 1–2), mirroring the technique used in Step 19.
Next, fold the bottom-left corner of this new trapezoid layer diagonally inward, crease it very firmly, and then unfold (Pics 3–4).
Step 23
Finish by performing an inside reverse fold to tuck that corner neatly between the layers, as you did in Step 20.
Step 24
Rotate the model 90° so the long tail section points downward (Pic 1), then rotate it another 90° from right to left (Pic 2).
Use your fingers to gently open the left and right layers of the tail (Pic 3). Fold the bottom tip upward along the horizontal center line, flattening it into a large triangle (Pics 4–5).
Step 25
Fold the top corner downward along the horizontal dashed line to complete a pleat fold (Pic 1). Lift and slightly press the top edge of this new triangle down (Pic 2). Slightly lift the upper-left and upper-right flaps. Then, tuck the top edge of the triangle under both flaps, making sure it also goes under the tiny corner beneath each flap (Pics 3–5).
Step 26
Press down the left and right sides along the center vertical axis to collapse the model (Pic 1). Rotate the model 90° from left to right to return to the side profile view (Pics 2–3).
Step 27
Rotate the model 90° counterclockwise so the head is on the left and the tail points to the right (Pic 1). Take the large top layer and fold it upward along the axis to create the first wing (Pic 2).
Flip the model over 180° to the other side (Pic 3), and repeat the process by folding the matching layer upward to create the second wing (Pic 4). Finally, flip the model over once more to return to the original side (Pics 5–6).
Step 28
On the front layer of the tail, fold the bottom edge upward along the dashed line that connects the tail tip to the hip (Pic 1). This will automatically create a small triangular pocket near the leg area; squash it flat (Pic 2).
Unfold these steps and perform an inside reverse fold to tuck that long edge backward to make it tuck between the layers (Pics 3–5).
Step 29
Turn the model over 180° to the opposite side.
Step 30
Repeat the narrowing process from Step 28 on the current side (Pics 1–2). Unfold, then perform an inside reverse fold to tuck the edge between the layers (Pics 3–5). This ensures the tail is symmetrical and sharp.
Step 31
Rotate the model 90° counterclockwise so the tail points straight down. Turn the figure another 90° from left to right to face the model directly from its back.
Step 32
Pull the top corner upward and spread the internal layers to open the pocket (Pics 1–2). Convert the red lines to mountain folds and the black line to valley fold; press the central vertical crease downward while keeping the pocket open (Pic 3).
Pinch the head section closed from both sides (Pic 4) and rotate the model 90° clockwise to profile view (Pics 5–6).
Step 33
On the top triangle of the head, fold the right edge over to align with the left vertical edge. Crease firmly and then unfold it. Rotate the model 90° from right to left to view the Charizard’s back.
Step 34
Open the head section and mountain fold along the diagonal edges of the colored side layers (Pics 1–2).
This causes the head to naturally dip inward, but keeps the central vertical crease as a mountain fold. Convert the previous guides into valley folds to collapse the head into a zigzag (pleat) shape (Pics 3–4).
Finally, rotate the model 90° clockwise to see the newly formed horns and snout profile (Pics 5–6).
Step 35
Fold the small triangular flap downward and squash the resulting pocket flat toward the right side (Pics 1–2). Flip the model 180° to the other side (Pic 3). Repeat these movements by folding the matching flap down and squashing it flat (Pics 4–6).
Step 36
Fold the triangular chest flap downward along the axis (Pic 1).
Move to the head section and fold the lower triangular flap upward (Pic 2). Next, fold the top-right corner of the head layer downward along the line connecting the two red dots, slightly shifting the top point (Pic 3).
Flip the model (Pic 4) and mirror these steps: fold the chest flap down, the lower head flap up, and the top-left corner over (Pics 5–7).
This naturally shifts the top horn from a vertical position to a sharp, forward-slanted angle.
Step 37
Fold the protruding corner on the chest backward along the red line (Pic 1). This narrows the torso for a sleeker profile.
Flip the model 180° (Pic 2) and repeat the same fold on the other side (Pic 3).
Both chest layers should now be tucked away, creating a clean, vertical line for the front of the body.
Step 38
Create a pleat fold by folding the tip of the snout inward along the first black line, then back out along the second. Crease well, and unfold both.
Step 39
Rotate the model 90° to view the bottom inner side, then spread the snout layers open (Pics 1–2). Perform a pleat fold by tucking the tip inward along the first crease and back out along the second (Pics 3–4). Collapse the layers to lock the shape, then rotate 90° back to the side profile (Pics 5–6).
With the tiny flap tucked under the snout, this mimics an open mouth, making the Charizard look like it’s ready to breathe fire.
Step 40
Turn the model over 180° to work on the opposite side (Pic 1). Create a pleat fold on the tail by folding the tip toward the body along the first white line, then back along the second (Pic 2). Crease very firmly and pull the tail back out to its original position (Pics 3–4).
Step 41
Apply another pleat fold closer to the tip of the tail using the same technique from the previous step. Crease firmly, and unfold both.
Step 42
Rotate the model 90° clockwise so the tail points straight down.
Turn the model another 90° from right to left to view the back.
Carefully spread the side layers outward to expand the model’s structure and prepare for 3D shaping of the tail.
Step 43
Convert the first crease of each tail pleat into a mountain fold and the second into a valley fold (Pics 1–2). This allows the tail to collapse into a 3D “staircase” or “zigzag” structure, naturally shortening its length while adding dynamic curves.
Compress the layers firmly (Pic 3), then rotate the model 90° clockwise to return to the side profile (Pics 4–5).
The tail now has a natural, segmented curve that lifts away from the body.
Step 44
Locate the triangular flap on the chest and fold the right edge to meet the left vertical axis; crease well and unfold (Pics 1–2). Repeat this process by folding the bottom edge up to the left axis, then unfolding (Pics 3–4).
Pinch the right corner and lift the edges along these creases toward the center, then perform a swivel fold by pushing the bottom edge upward and collapsing the flap to the left (Pics 5–7).
Step 45
Flip the model 180° to the other side (Pic 1). Repeat the swivel fold process on this triangular flap: crease the left and bottom edges to the right axis, then collapse the corner. Fold the resulting thin arm toward the right to match the first side (Pics 2–8).
Step 46
Rotate the model 90° from right to left to view the front of the model (Pic 1).
Use your fingers to spread the bottom of each leg and pinch the tips flat against each other (Pics 2–5).
Rotate the model 90° back to the profile view. These flattened ends are now sturdy, horizontal feet (Pics 6–7).
Step 47
Fold the bottom-left corner of the wing’s top layer upward along the white diagonal dashed line, crease firmly, and unfold (Pics 1-2).
Using this crease, fold that same corner backward, tucking it neatly between the wing layers to hide the extra edge (Pics 3-4).
Step 48
Flip the model 180°. Repeat the previous pre-crease and tucking process on this side to ensure symmetry.
Step 49
Fold the entire wing of this side upward, along the diagonal right edge of the layer to its left (Pic 1).
Fold the top tip straight down, creating a horizontal crease, and then unfold it back to the top side (Pics 2–3).
Finally, fold the top corner down and to the left, creating a small triangle on top (Pics 4-5).
Step 50
Fold the bottom edge of the top small triangle to align with its right edge (Pic 1).
Next, fold the tip down along the existing horizontal crease (Pic 2), then fold the bottom right edge of the resulting triangle up to align with its top edge (Pic 3).
Completely unfold this wing (Pic 4). The wing will naturally spring into a curved shape, giving it a more realistic, bat-like appearance.
Flip the model 180° and prepare to repeat the process on the other side (Pics 5–6).
Step 51
Mirror the process from Step 49 on this side. Fold the wing upward along the diagonal edge, and pre-crease the top tip downward.
Step 52
Mirror the remaining detailing process on this wing.
Fold the top corner down to the right to get a small triangle. Fold this triangle’s bottom edge to the top left, fold the tip down along the existing horizontal line, then fold it back to the edge.
Completely unfold the wing to finalize the shaping of the two wings.
Step 53
Fold the entire wing downward, then fold it back up along the white dashed line to create a zigzag (Pics 1–2). This establishes the wing’s base structure.
Next, shape the wing’s upper edge by folding the top margin backward along the red dash-dot line, tucking it behind the wing (Pics 4–6).
Step 54
Collapse the wing along the pre-made creases, pinch the tips firmly, and then gently spread the layers apart to create a natural fan shape (Pics 1–2). Flip the model 180° to prepare for the final mirror steps for the wing on the opposite side (Pics 3–4).
Step 55
Repeat the zigzag pleat and top-edge fold on this side to maintain symmetry: Fold the wing down and back up, then tuck the upper margin backward along the red guide to thin the profile.
Step 56
Repeat the collapse, pinch, and spread process on this side to match the first wing.
Step 57
Finally, let’s shaping the horns.
Pinch and refine the tips of the two triangular flaps on the top of the dragon’s head. Press them together to sharpen them into a distinct pair of pointed horns.
What’s Next
You mastered the Charizard! Now, try exploring more dragon designs. Click the links below to find your next folding adventure and keep leveling up your origami skills. Happy folding!
Other Origami Dragon Ideas
