Best Multicolor Pens & Pencils in 2025 | Japanese Writing Tools Guide
Multicolor writing tools aren’t just pens anymore. Today, they include everything from classic click-style pens to interchangeable-color pencils designed for sketching, planning, and creative work.
Whether you’re a student keeping your notes tidy, a professional organizing thoughts, or a creative layering colors in sketches or bullet journals, the right multicolor tool can make writing—and thinking—more fluid and expressive.
In this updated 2025 guide, we’ll explore the benefits of multicolor pens and pencils, what to look for when choosing one, and our top recommendations, including a uniquely Japanese favorite: the PENTEL Art Multi 8 Set.
Why Use a Multicolor Writing Tools?
Multicolor writing tools are more than just convenient—they’re powerful tools for clarity, creativity, and organization. Key benefits include:
- Better organization: Color-coding helps you separate ideas, subjects, priorities, or timelines at a glance.
- Efficiency: Switching colors instantly means fewer pens to carry and less interruption while writing or sketching.
- Creative freedom: From diagrams and mind maps to journaling and planning, multiple colors help bring ideas to life.
- Versatility: Multicolor pens are useful for note-taking, bullet journaling, sketching, highlighting, and even light illustration.
Pens vs. Pencils: Which Multicolor Tool Is Right for You?
Multicolor writing tools come in two main forms—pens and pencils—each with its own strengths.
Multicolor Pens
- Use ink (gel, oil-based, or hybrid)
- Best for note-taking, documents, and planners
- Offer bold, consistent color output
- Usually click-based or retractable
Multicolor Pencils
- Use replaceable color leads
- Ideal for sketching, diagrams, and creative work
- Offer softer, more controlled color layering
- Typically refillable and long-lasting
Choosing between them depends on how you write, or whether you want one of each.
What to Look for in a Multicolor Writing Tool
*image source MITSUBISHI PENCIL Uni
To ensure you find the perfect multicolor writing tool that meets your needs, consider the following factors:
- Color Range: Some tools focus on essential colors, while others offer broader palettes for creative use.
- Smoothness & Control: Pens should glide easily without skipping; pencils should offer consistent pigment without crumbling.
- Comfort & Balance: A well-balanced body and comfortable grip matter, especially for long sessions.
- Durability: Click mechanisms, internal springs, and barrels should feel sturdy and reliable.
- Refillability: Refillable tools are more eco-friendly and cost-effective over time.
Top Multicolor Writing Tools for Different Needs
1. Best Multicolor Writing Tool for Students
Jetstream Multi Pen Lite Ink Touch
*All images and information are taken from MITSUBISHI PENCIL Uni official website
Perfect for students who want smooth writing and practical versatility.
The Jetstream Multi Pen Lite Ink Touch combines Jetstream’s famously smooth oil-based ink with a sleek body that’s light and comfortable for long note-taking sessions. The Lite series typically includes multiple colors in one click-style pen, allowing students to switch easily between ink colors without carrying a bunch of pens.
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Smooth, quick-drying oil-based ink
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Ergonomic, lightweight design for long writing sessions
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Multiple colors in one pen for organized notes
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Ideal for note-taking, exams, and daily school use
Best for: students balancing color organization with effortless writing.
You may also be interested in the Jetstream 0.7mm Marine Plastic Ballpoint Pen Light Blue (in our Marine Dream Stationery Box) or the Jetstream Pen refill.
2. Best Multicolor Writing Tool for Professionals
Pilot Acroball 2+1 Acro Drive (Two Colors + Mechanical Pencil)
*All images and information are taken from PILOT official website
A premium hybrid tool built for productivity and flexibility.
The Pilot Acroball Acro Drive combines two oil-based ballpoint colors and a mechanical pencil in one stylish instrument—perfect for professionals who need clarity and functionality in meetings, planning sessions, or offices.
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Smooth, low-viscosity ballpoint ink
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Dual colors for quick emphasis and visual hierarchy
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Integrated mechanical pencil for sketches, tables, or rough notes
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Premium feel with refined Japanese engineering
Best for: professionals, project planners, and anyone who appreciates hybrid tools.
3. Best Multicolor Writing Tool for Creatives
Pilot FriXion Synergy 3
*All images and information are taken from PILOT official website
Erasable multicolor writing meets smooth, expressive control.
For creatives who switch between hues while drafting ideas, planning layouts, or color-coding concepts, Pilot’s FriXion lineup is a standout choice. The FriXion series is known for its erasable ink technology, which allows you to write in vivid color and correct mistakes without leaving marks—a feature beloved by planners, designers, and visual thinkers worldwide.
In late 2025, Pilot released a new twist on their multicolor concept: the FriXion Synergy 3, a finely engineered, erasable 3-color ballpoint with Pilot’s new “Synergy Tip” for ultra-smooth, fine writing. The ink has been significantly improved, delivering a writing feel much closer to a standard ballpoint pen—smooth, stable, and confident, without the scratchiness often associated with erasable inks.
This update brings together:
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Erasable ink technology that lets you write in color and erase cleanly
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Multiple hues for organizing, sketching, or creative note layout
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A refined, comfortable body suitable for bullet journals or creative brainstorming
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Greatly improved ink performance that writes much like a regular ballpoint pen, offering smoother strokes and better control
Whether you choose a FriXion Multi Color tool or explore the latest FriXion Synergy 3 as part of your multicolor workflow, these erasable options give you expressive possibilities and freedom to revise without fear.
Best for: creative note-making, planners, sketching, and anyone who loves colorful but correctable writing.
You may also be interested in the PILOT Frixion Ball Slim 0.38mm.
4. Featured Pick: PENTEL Art Multi 8 (Multicolor Pencil)
*All images and information are taken from PENTEL official website
If you enjoy switching between colors while sketching, planning, or visual thinking, the PENTEL Art Multi 8 stands out.
Instead of ink, this Japanese-made tool uses interchangeable color leads, letting you rotate between eight colors in one elegant body. The pencil-style format offers more control than ink, making it perfect for diagrams, shading, and layered work.
Why we love it:
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One tool with 8 replaceable color leads
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Ideal for sketching, layouts, and creative planning
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Minimal, beautifully engineered Japanese design
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Refillable and long-lasting
You can find the PENTEL Art Multi 8 in our ZenPop store, alongside other thoughtfully curated Japanese writing tools.
FAQ: Multicolor Pens & Pencils
Are multicolor pencils better than pens?
Not necessarily—each excels in different tasks. Pens are better for bold, permanent writing, while pencils are ideal for shading, sketching, and flexible visual thinking.
Can multicolor tools be refilled?
Many Japanese multicolor pens and pencils are designed for refillability. Check manufacturer specs for refill cartridges or lead refills before purchasing.
Which colors are most useful?
Black and blue are staples for writing, while red, green, and orange help emphasize key points. Creative tools also offer complementary and pastel shades for expressive layouts.
One Tool, Many Possibilities
Multicolor writing tools blur the line between productivity and creativity. Whether you’re annotating notes, sketching ideas, or planning big projects, the right pen or pencil can dramatically enhance your workflow.
From the student-friendly Jetstream Multi Pen Lite Ink Touch to the professional-ready Pilot Acroball Acro Drive, the erasable FriXion Multi Color, and the creative powerhouse PENTEL Art Multi 8, there’s a multicolor tool tailored for every need.
If you’re eager to explore Japanese multicolor pens and pencils (including the PENTEL Art Multi 8 Set), check out the ZenPop store or discover more unique stationery delights in the ZenPop Stationery Box—delivered from Japan straight to your desk.
A versatile writing tool isn’t just functional, it inspires.
