8 Best New Japanese Pens from 2023 for 2024

It’s almost the end of the eventful year of 2023, so it's time to reflect on the remarkable innovations and products that were released this year. Yes, we had some great movies and phones, but did you know that the best new Japanese pens of 2023 are all awesome? The Japanese pen market has evolved to provide us with amazing pens like PILOT Dr. Grip, PILOT Metropolitan, Pentel EnerGel, Sakura Pigma, and Zebra Sarasa, which became popular in Japan and the international market. 

Join us on a journey as we unveil the best Japanese pens that have graced the writing world in 2023. Sit back and enjoy this article. 

• 1. TOMBOW & PILOT Collaboration FRIXION × MONO Grayscale Series
• 2. PILOT Vanishing Point 2023 Kanreki Red Edition
• 3. 2023 ZOOM C1 Open Air Knock Pen
• 4. 2023 PENTEL MATTEHOP
• 5. SAILOR 1911 Ringless Galaxy Fountain Pen
• 6. PILOT Namiki Emperor 2023 White Rabbit Limited Edition
• 7. 2023 UNIBALL EMOTT Japanese Pen - Winter Edition
• 8. 2023 ZEBRA SARASA CLIP Animal Pop-Up Edition

TOMBOW & PILOT Collaboration FRIXION × MONO Grayscale Series

Getting a new pen from one company is great, but what if two pen giant companies collaborate to create an iconic pen? The PILOT FRIXION and Tombow MONO series collaboration gave birth to the grayscale pens series. These are some of the best Japanese ballpoint pens that come in four colors: white, light gray, dark gray, and black. The color of the pen mirrors the casing, so it’s easy to choose your colors. 

The Tombow MONO graph grayscale edition has a long tip that is supposed to give the writer a wider vision range. The grip is textured to allow a firm hold, and the amount of ink released when you write on paper is reduced by 50%, so technically, this pen will last twice as long as other pens. What's interesting is that this is the first collab of the two brands. It may seem like upgrades of an already existing pen series, but having the pen colors is very rare. Plus, it is a limited edition release, so get yours before it is sold out!

PILOT Vanishing Point 2023 Kanreki Red Edition

PILOT was the first pen company to produce a retractable fountain pen in 1963 called the PILOT vanishing point fountain pen. Their invention created a buzz in the writing community because it was the first of its kind back to them. 2023 made it the 60-year anniversary of PILOT's vanishing point, so the company celebrated it by releasing a limited edition red-tone color. When we say limited, it really is limited because the company only produced 2023 pieces of this color. It has an 18k rhodium-plated gold retractable nib and a matte black trim. This pen has been a PILOT bestseller for years for a good reason; yes, the new color and design are not much of an upgrade, but it could end up becoming a collectible in years to come.

2023 ZOOM C1 Open Air Knock Pen

Zoom is a Tombow pen series that was first created in 1986. Since then, the brand has released yearly designs that have won awards like the Red Dot Design Award and the Design Plus Award. The latest 2023 Zoom C1 open-air knock pen is one of their more universally shaped design. However, the knock part appears to float, which is why it is called open-air knock. The body of the pen is made with a glossy matte duralumin used for building space equipment, and the knock pack is joined with a black clip. With the high-quality material it is made of, the pen is expected to last for years, so all you need to do is buy refills and keep using the case. It is available in sand silver (the color above), graphite blue, and full black.

2023 PENTEL MATTEHOP

Pentel is a Japanese pen brand known for producing pens that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. Are you an artist who has been looking for a super-pigmented, colorful pen? The Pentel Mattehop is the perfect one for you! These pen ink have a unique matte texture when dried, and they show up on colored paper, textured paper, photos, and decorative tape. It is perfect for artists and people with bullet journals or scrapbooks. You can immediately turn a decorative tape into a header by writing on it with the pentel mattehop. The pen is available in 6 vibrant colors, and you can get them from Pentel online and physical stores. 

SAILOR 1911 Ringless Galaxy Fountain Pen

The Sailor 1911 Japanese Fountain Pen is a timeless piece that's not just a pen but an experience. It was named 1911 for the year that the company was founded, and it’s got that classic, sleek design that feels like it sailed straight out of a movie. And oh, this pen is not a cheap one, but with a 21-karat gold nib, you get that touch of luxury to your writing game. The latest 2023 Ringless Galaxy edition captures the essence of the galaxy, and it is made with black ion plating. It comes in around 5 colors and has that glittery, sparkly look that is hardly used in fountain pens. The construction gives it that smooth finish, plus it arrives in a classy box that makes it a statement piece.

PILOT Namiki Emperor 2023 White Rabbit Limited Edition

Yes, it’s a really pretty pen, but it costs $12,000 dollars! Let’s explain why it is so expensive. So, PILOT released this pen to celebrate 105 years of the company’s existence. It pays homage to rabbits because 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Japanese calendar. This year is known to signify fortune, cleverness, and productivity. It also comes with a lot of good fortune. However, that is not the reason the pen is so expensive. It costs this much because PILOT only released 99 numbered pieces worldwide. The body of the pen is also a work of art and not printed paper wrapped around the barrel. You get to feel the texture of the rabbit drawing and other inscriptions. The nib is 18k gold, and it comes with a polishing cloth. This pen is a collector’s dream.

2023 UNIBALL EMOTT Japanese Pen - Winter Edition

UNIBALL is a Japanese pen company that has existed for more than 130 years. The company is behind many iconic mechanical pencils, markers, and pens. Their EMOTT line is a special marker pen that is designed to have consistent line width no matter the angle you’re writing from. It comes in around 40 bold colors and can be bought as a set or individually. The tip is just 0.4mm, so it is great for pen artists. The ink is also fade-proof, so artwork can remain vibrant for a very long time.

The winter limited edition is a set of 5 pastel colors to represent the winter season. These colors are not a part of the original 40 pens, so it is definitely a game-changer for artists who have been looking for a pastel color palette.

2023 ZEBRA SARASA CLIP Animal Pop-Up Edition

The ZEBRA SARASA Clip pen is a water-resistant, vibrant, no-smudge gel pen known for its exceptional writing performance and innovative design. Its quick-drying ink minimizes smudging, and the retractable design ensures hassle-free use, making it a practical choice for various writing tasks. What sets the Sarasa Clip apart is its vibrant color selection, offering a lot of colors that appeal to individuals who enjoy infusing their notes, artwork, or planners with a burst of color. The 2023 animal pop-up limited edition features cute animal-inspired cases instead of the plain usual white cases of the pen. While there are no other extra upgrades, these pens are still almost as cheap as the original, so you can get them for a cheap price. 

2023 has been a stellar year for Japanese pens, bringing us a mix of innovation and style. From the collaboration of Tombow & PILOT to PILOT marking 60 years of fountain pen excellence with the Kanreki Red Edition and the pastel colors of UNIBALL EMOTT pens. These Japanese pens have not just written; they've painted stories, leaving us eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the world of fine writing

Have you been looking to buy some high-quality Japanese stationery? You can check out our ZenPop stationery store for the best deals from Japan. 

This article was originally written by our freelance writer Umm-Kulthum Abdulkareem and edited by us.