Inazuma Inc. today announced the worldwide release of ePaperCraft SHIRYU on Steam, marking a significant expansion for the digital papercraft design software previously available only on the Microsoft Store. Developed by Takahiro Yonemura, Ph.D. (Engineering), SHIRYU allows users to design 3D models on a PC, automatically unfold them into printable templates, and construct physical objects using paper, scissors, and glue. The software includes more than 70 ready-to-build models, and users retain commercial rights to their original creations.
The original version of the software, known in Japan as 'Paper Dragon,' was selected as a Jury Recommended Work at the 10th Japan Media Arts Festival, hosted by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. This recognition, along with research published in the NICOGRAPH technical journal, underscores the software's innovative approach. The Steam release represents a refined version developed over two decades of continuous improvement. Yonemura emphasized that no generative AI was used to create the included models or program code, highlighting the handcrafted nature of every design.
Yonemura is not new to the American market; he is the author of the sci-fi manga 'Beast Code' (eigoMANGA, 2022) and 'Recycled Brain' (eigoMANGA, 2025-2026), both distributed in the United States and covered by Anime News Network. His English-language book 'The Metal Brain' reached 12 countries in 2019 through a Japanese government support program. With a Ph.D. in Engineering and a teaching position at a Japanese university, Yonemura brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative storytelling to his work.
The software's release on Steam (available at https://store.steampowered.com/app/4912480/ePaperCraft_SHIRYU/) and its official website (https://craft.inazuma7.co.jp/index_en.html) provide global access to a tool that bridges digital design and physical craftsmanship. SHIRYU is intended for a wide audience, from elementary school students to hobbyists, educators, makers, and artists, offering both simplicity for beginners and depth for intricate manual work.
The implications of this launch are multifaceted. For educators, SHIRYU offers a hands-on tool to teach spatial reasoning and design principles without requiring expensive equipment or advanced technical skills. For makers and hobbyists, it provides a platform to create custom papercraft models for personal or commercial use, fostering creativity and reducing reliance on pre-made templates. In an era dominated by digital fabrication and AI-generated content, SHIRYU emphasizes the tangible satisfaction of designing and building something by hand, potentially sparking renewed interest in traditional crafts integrated with modern technology.
Yonemura's background as both a scientist and a creator adds credibility to the software's educational and creative potential. His statement, 'A scientist's job is to turn imagination into something real. SHIRYU turns a screen into scissors, glue, and a creature on your desk,' encapsulates the software's mission. As papercraft continues to evolve, SHIRYU's availability on a major gaming platform like Steam could introduce this niche hobby to a broader audience, bridging the gap between digital design and physical art.
