Prof. Kinopio

Prof. Kinopio is a character in Paper Mario: Color Splash. He is a yellow Toad, and he owns a pet Chain Chomp named Princess. When Mario and Huey go to his house in Château Chanterelle, they are told by a Toad that the professor is taking a walk with Princess in Mondo Woods. The professor can be found at the end of Mondo Woods, crying on top of a Big Block because he lost Princess. Huey tells the professor that Princess probably went back to Château Chanterelle, and the professor heads back there with raised spirits. However, when Mario and Huey arrive at Château Chanterelle, they find the professor crying on the ground due to Princess not being there. The professor gives Mario an Excavation Site Permit so that he can explore Marmalade Valley.

After Mario finds the Bone in Marmalade Valley, he can take it to Château Chanterelle, which causes Princess to return briefly. She jumps and rolls on Prof. Kinopio, and his assistant worries that he was crushed. The professor, however, is happy, and tells Mario to give Princess another Bone if he finds her again. He gives Mario a Sharp Spike as a reward for finding Princess.

Prof. Kinopio reappears during the "Prisma Prance Trance" dance sequence, laying on the floor before standing up. After getting the orange Big Paint Star and repainting Draggadon, Mario can visit Prof. Kinopio to learn about the species, giving a hint as to where the Draggadon went.