Kami-e allows users to relax their body and make it take on the characteristics of a piece of paper; this grants the user extraordinary flexibility that allows them to avoid any attacks. The body being in this paper-like state also allows the user to float on the wind, as well as the ability to bend and contort their body.[2]
(Former)‡: the character is no longer part of this group. Hovering the symbol may give further details.
(Note)*: other relevant information. Hovering the symbol gives further details.
Variations[]
Seimei Kikan: Kami-e Bushin (生命帰還 紙絵武身,Seimei Kikan: Kami-e Bushin?, literally meaning "Life/Existence Return: Paper Drawing Martial Body"): Used by Rob Lucci in his Human-Beast Form. Using Life Return, he makes his Human-Beast Form smaller, lighter, and possibly faster. He is much more agile and harder to hit in this form, as opposed to his normal Human-Beast Form.[3] In the VIZ manga and the Funimation dub, this is called Life Return Paper Art Fighting Form.
Seimei Kikan: Kaijo (生命帰還 解除,Seimei Kikan: Kaijo?, literally meaning "Life/Existence Return: Cancellation"): Used by Rob Lucci while in his smaller Human-Beast Form. It cancels his Seimei Kikan: Kami-e Bushin technique, and returns to his larger, stronger Human-Beast Form.[4] This is called Life Return Release in the VIZ manga and Life Return Terminate in the Funimation dub.
Kami-e "Slime" (紙絵「軟泥」,Kami-e "Suraimu"?, literally meaning "Paper Drawing: 'Slime'"): Used by Fukurou. Instead of the body becoming limp like paper, it stretches and moves in ways slime or sludge would move in order to avoid attacks.[5] This is called Paper Slime in the VIZ manga and Paper Art Slime in the Funimation dub.
Kami-e "Zanshin" (紙絵「残身」,Kami-e "Zanshin"?, literally meaning "Paper Drawing: 'Remnant Body'): Used by Stussy. Instead of the body becoming limp like paper, the user appears to relax but actually moves with high speed around their opponent, leaving the opponent to attack an afterimage of the user.[6]Zanshin is a state of relaxed alertness in Japanese martial arts. This is called Paper Art Afterimage in the VIZ manga.
Trivia[]
Despite being Rokushiki masters, Kalifa, Kumadori, Jabra and Who's-Who were not seen using this technique.
Using his Hira Hira no Mi to make his body "float", Diamante can dodge attacks in a very similar fashion.
Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Boh is very similar in appearance to this technique, which works with him turning off his conscious mind and floating around like a leaf, therefore dodging strikes entirely on instinct. Kami-e differs by not requiring the mind to be "shut down" for it.