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Top 15 Best Japanese Gel Pens in 2021 - Tried and True! (Muji, Pentel, and More)

Top 15 Best Japanese Gel Pens in 2021 - Tried and True! (Muji, Pentel, and More)

The smooth writing tip, the way it glides over the paper, and the beautiful, vibrant colors are just parts of what is attractive about gel pens. And nowadays, there are plenty of them on the market today. Even the smallest improvement in design and the faintest sparkling of genius can make a difference between them.

So this time around, we ordered the 15 most popular gel pens from Japan’s e-commerce giants (such as Amazon, Rakuten, and kakaku.com) and tested for the following:

How the Grip Felt
Balance
The Color, Feel, and Depth of the Ink
How the Nib Felt against Paper
How Smudgeproof it was
Design

This is how we tested and found the most exceptional Japanese gel pens. With tip contributions from lettering artist Mhelanie, we also prepared a buying guide.

Last updated: 02-17-2021
36,829 views

Table of Contents

Top 15 Best Japanese Gel Pens

First off, we'll introduce the 15 best Japanese gel pens available online. They were ranked by how well they did on our tests and given an overall score ranging from 1.0 to 5.0.

※Please note that these products were not picked by Mhelanie, but chosen through extensive research and by combing through customer reviews by our staff at mybest.

amazon.co.jp

MitsubishiUni-ball Signo RT1

$2.85

Ink, Design, and Comfort–This Has it All!

The grip of this pen went all the way to the nib, which was a comfort for those of us that like to hold our pens way down low. Plus, there were no sharp angles on the tip of this pen, so even when we wrote at an angle, there was no unpleasant scraping or grinding. This pen was made to be comfortable, no matter who the user is.

The ink is pigment-based and so water-resistant. The black was dark, crisp, and clear, and even small letters didn’t bleed or smear.

This pen ranked first for both the longevity of its ink and how it felt against paper. Mitsubishi Pencil’s Uni-ball Signo RT1 was a clear choice for our number one recommendation.

Japanese	三菱鉛筆ユニボールシグノ RT1
Grip	4.0
Ink color	4.0
Balance	4.0
Feel on paper	5.0
Design	5.0
Smudgeproof	5.0
Overall score	5.0

amazon.co.jp

PilotJuice Up Gel Pen 04

$3.60

Cutting-Edge Technology With a Fine Point and Smooth Writing

The Juice Up is equipped with a nib that is incredibly fine but can lay down a lot of ink; it’s almost surprising how easy this thing is to write with. It comes in both 0.3 millimeters and 0.4 millimeters–and though both are on the thinner side, writing with this pen is smooth sailing.

Furthermore, the clip is installed at the very top of the clicker, so even if you were to clip this pen to the pages of your diary or notebook, none of it would peep over the top. The pigment-based ink holds fast to paper, making this pen indispensable when writing in small print.

Japanese	パイロットコーポレーションゲルインキボールペンジュースアップ
Grip	3.0
Ink color	5.0
Balance	5.0
Feel on paper	4.0
Design	4.0
Smudgeproof	5.0
Overall score	5.0

amazon.co.jp

ZebraSARASA Grand

$11.50

A Solid Design Adds to Both Classiness and Practicality

The Grand made sure to keep all the strengths of its previous iterations while incorporating a design that wouldn’t look out of place at a high-profile meeting. The pen's weight offered us a sense of stability - just one of the reasons why the SARASA Grand ranked in at number three.

There were vertical grooves running up and down the grip, so even though it was coated with metal, it wasn’t slippery and rested easily between our fingers. Offered this level of quality and comfort at this price point, even we couldn’t find much to complain about.

Japanese	ゼブラサラサグランド
Grip	4.0
Ink color	4.0
Balance	5.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	4.0
Smudgeproof	5.0
Overall score	5.0

amazon.co.jp

KokuyoEraberno

$0.82

View product on ZenMarket

Customizable and Fits Any Hand

The grip is available in three sizes: thin, medium, and thick. You change the grip to fit your preferences and the size of your hand by rotating the grip and re-positioning the level surface. Furthermore, you can personalize how you use the pen and guide your fingers into their most natural positions.

You can also choose between oil-based and gel ink, and a 0.5-millimeter or 0.7-millimeter point. We tested the 0.5-millimeter dye-based Airy Gel Ink. Put a lot of thought into your decisions, and Eraberno will feel like just another limb on your body.

Japanese	コクヨエラベルノ
Grip	5.0
Ink color	2.0
Balance	4.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	5.0
Smudgeproof	4.0
Overall score	4.0

amazon.co.jp

ZebraSARASA Clip

$1.75

The Blend of Quality and Price Has Earned This Pen a Dedicated Following

This is overall a well-balanced pen, perfect if you’re just looking for a standard gel pen. In Japan, it’s available for under 100 yen (a buck), but its price in America is nothing to scoff at either. It’s easily accessible, and for many, this product was the beginning of their gel pen obsession.

The grip seemed slippery at first but actually had quite a strong hold; the body showed elements of both 20th- and 21st-century design. We’d venture so far as to say that the SARASA clip is a kind of milestone for gel pens! It’s available in varying thicknesses and colors, so you’re almost guaranteed to find something you like.

Japanese	ゼブラサラサクリップ
Grip	4.0
Ink color	3.0
Balance	5.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	3.0
Smudgeproof	5.0
Overall score	4.0

amazon.co.jp

Sakura CraypasBallsign Knock Gel Pen

$2.80

Ink Flow is Rich but the Nib Scratches Satisfyingly Against Paper

Did you know that Sakura Color Products Corp. was the first company in the world to manufacture gel pens? The Ballsign was the first pen they commissioned an outside designer for, and the end product was a pen that gradually balloons out near the bottom.

It’s a cute look that some may find kiddish. In any case, the pen was incredibly easy to hold, even between just the tips of our fingers.

We were surprised that though the ink flowed freely, the nib still scratched firmly across the page. It was also easy to control the intensity of the ink–write slowly, and your lines thicken. If you are enamored with this design, it’s worth collecting all the colors.

Japanese	サクラクレパスボールサインノック
Grip	3.0
Ink color	5.0
Balance	4.0
Feel on paper	4.0
Design	3.0
Smudgeproof	3.0
Overall score	4.0

muji.net

MujiSmooth Writing Gel Pen

$1.50

Japanese	無印良品さらさら描けるゲルボールペンノック式
Grip	3.0
Ink color	3.0
Balance	4.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	2.0
Smudgeproof	5.0
Overall score	4.0

amazon.co.jp

PilotJuice Gel Pen

$1.80

The Ink Flow is Pretty Much Perfect

There were two main opinions about the grip. The first was that it had a lot of hold, which kept it steady between the fingers and made it responsive to touch. The second was that it felt unpleasantly sticky.

On the other hand, reviews about how the nib felt on paper and how the ink performed were generally positive. The ink flow was pretty much perfect; it was heavy and constant, but it didn’t smear or bleed. As soon as we touched pen to paper, color flowed out, and because the ink was pigment-based, it also held up well to moisture.

Japanese	パイロットコーポレーションゲルインキボールペンジュース
Grip	3.0
Ink color	3.0
Balance	2.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	4.0
Smudgeproof	4.0
Overall score	3.0

amazon.co.jp

MitsubishiUni-ball Signo

UM15105.24

$2.85

A Good Choice if You Like Scratchy Pens

This pen has a short grip, likely because it’s capped. That gave us a very limited area on which to hold the pen. Since some of us prefer to write with our hands positioned higher or lower, we gave the original Signo only a 2.0 for grip.

When you write, the pen feels as if it’s biting into the paper–something that will appeal to you if you prefer pens with a little more scratch in them. The ink is pigment-based and therefore water-resistant, so this is a good pen to use when addressing packages and envelopes.

Japanese	三菱鉛筆 UNI ゲルボールペンユニボールシグノ 0.5mm
Grip	2.0
Ink color	4.0
Balance	1.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	3.0
Smudgeproof	5.0
Overall score	3.0

amazon.co.jp

ZebraSARASA Dry

$2.65

Not the Most Water-Resistant but Dries Fast Enough to Work Effectively on Any Paper

SARASA Dry, like its name, dried quickly. We tried it out on color copy and thermal paper and laminated labels, but the ink transferred smoothly and dried in a moment every single time. However, it is a dye-based ink, so we had to give it a 1.0 for longevity. It will actually smear if you try to go over it with a highlighter, which limits its use.

Both design and comfort received mixed reviews. On the other hand, compared to the original SARASA, the pen had not only faster-drying ink but also more ink flow. The ink quickly trickled down, completely coating the tip of the pen.

Japanese	ゼブラサラサドライ
Grip	3.0
Ink color	3.0
Balance	3.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	3.0
Smudgeproof	1.0
Overall score	3.0

amazon.co.jp

PentelEnergel X

$1.80

Writes in Clear, Crisp Letters

The ink is so clean and clear that this pen is a favorite among new graduates in Japan, who must write their resumes by hand. It dried so fast that even newly-laid letters didn’t smear–also why this pen is popular among lefties. However, it does utilize dye-based ink, so it’s not the best choice for when you’re addressing envelopes or otherwise need a water-resistant pen.

You could also say the ink was the sole redeeming feature of this pen. Even though the grip was grooved, our hands still managed to slip–and, honestly speaking, we didn’t like how it felt in sweaty hands.

Japanese	ぺんてるエナージェル・エックス
Grip	2.0
Ink color	5.0
Balance	2.0
Feel on paper	3.0
Design	3.0
Smudgeproof	1.0
Overall score	3.0

amazon.co.jp

MitsubishiUni-ball Signo 307

$2.10

Takes a Long Time to Dry, but Writes Smooth as Silk

The ink contained cellulose nanofibers, which meant that even if we wrote quickly with this pen, it didn’t catch on the page and it didn’t blot. The ink also earned a 5.0 when we tested for color, feel, and depth. The nib of the pen was well-designed and didn’t leave furrows behind on the page.

Because the ink flow was heavy, this pen glided easily. But this strength was also a weakness, as the pen dried slowly and tended to bleed and ghost. It almost felt as if we were writing with a fine-tipped marker. The design was also hit-or-miss, so this pen landed near the bottom of our ranking.

Japanese	三菱鉛筆ユニボールシグノ 307
Grip	2.0
Ink color	5.0
Balance	3.0
Feel on paper	2.0
Design	2.0
Smudgeproof	2.0
Overall score	2.0

amazon.co.jp

PilotHi-Tec-C

$3.70

The 0.25 mm Nib Could be a Deal-Breaker or Deal-Maker

There’s no grip on this thing, so our fingers slipped as soon as we picked up the pen. The nib also breaks pretty easily, and while we understand that Pilot is asking us to be gentle with our hands and pens, it still doesn’t change the fact that the Hi-Tec-C was pretty difficult to hold.

However, there are many who are in love with its super-fine 0.25-millimeter point and the way it scratches across the paper. Think of that crunch beneath your boots when you walk across newly fallen snow. Plenty of people say they can’t draw or write unless it’s with a Hi-Tec-C, so we wish we could at least give it points for uniqueness.

Japanese	パイロットコーポレーションハイテックC
Grip	1.0
Ink color	2.0
Balance	2.0
Feel on paper	1.0
Design	3.0
Smudgeproof	3.0
Overall score	2.0

amazon.co.jp

PentelHybrid

$3.51

Charming, Old-Timey Design With a Good Scratch on Paper

Pentel’s Hybrid is a pioneer; it was one of the first-ever gel pens to gain widespread popularity. It’s kept both its cap and its design from the old days–whether you find that behind the times or nostalgic will greatly sway your impression of this pen.

However, because not much thought was put into the grip or weight distribution, the Hybrid ranked in at just 14. Depending on how fast we wrote, the depth and feel of the ink also changed, which we didn’t like.

But even though it’s difficult to control ink flow, it’s a good pen to write with if you like the feel of nib scratching on paper.

Japanese	ぺんてるハイブリッド
Grip	2.0
Ink color	1.0
Balance	1.0
Feel on paper	2.0
Design	1.0
Smudgeproof	2.0
Overall score	1.0

Compare the Best Japanese Gel Pens

Image	1 Mitsubishi	2 Pilot	3 Zebra	4 Kokuyo	5 Zebra	6 Sakura Craypas	7 Muji	8 Pilot	9 Mitsubishi	10 Zebra	11 Pentel	12 Mitsubishi	13 Pilot	14 Pentel
Name	Uni-ball Signo RT1	Juice Up Gel Pen 04	SARASA Grand	Eraberno	SARASA Clip	Ballsign Knock Gel Pen	Smooth Writing Gel Pen	Juice Gel Pen	Uni-ball Signo	SARASA Dry	Energel X	Uni-ball Signo 307	Hi-Tec-C	Hybrid
Features	Ink, Design, and Comfort–This Has it All!	Cutting-Edge Technology With a Fine Point and Smooth Writing	A Solid Design Adds to Both Classiness and Practicality	Customizable and Fits Any Hand	The Blend of Quality and Price Has Earned This Pen a Dedicated Following	Ink Flow is Rich but the Nib Scratches Satisfyingly Against Paper	Makes for Smooth Writing, as the Name Promises	The Ink Flow is Pretty Much Perfect	A Good Choice if You Like Scratchy Pens	Not the Most Water-Resistant but Dries Fast Enough to Work Effectively on Any Paper	Writes in Clear, Crisp Letters	Takes a Long Time to Dry, but Writes Smooth as Silk	The 0.25 mm Nib Could be a Deal-Breaker or Deal-Maker	Charming, Old-Timey Design With a Good Scratch on Paper
Price	$2.85	$3.60	$11.50	$0.82	$1.75	$2.80	$1.50	$1.80	$2.85	$2.65	$1.80	$2.10	$3.70	$3.51
Japanese	三菱鉛筆ユニボールシグノ RT1	パイロットコーポレーションゲルインキボールペンジュースアップ	ゼブラサラサグランド	コクヨエラベルノ	ゼブラサラサクリップ	サクラクレパスボールサインノック	無印良品さらさら描けるゲルボールペンノック式	パイロットコーポレーションゲルインキボールペンジュース	三菱鉛筆 UNI ゲルボールペンユニボールシグノ 0.5mm	ゼブラサラサドライ	ぺんてるエナージェル・エックス	三菱鉛筆ユニボールシグノ 307	パイロットコーポレーションハイテックC	ぺんてるハイブリッド
Grip	4.0	3.0	4.0	5.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	3.0	2.0	2.0	1.0	2.0
Ink color	4.0	5.0	4.0	2.0	3.0	5.0	3.0	3.0	4.0	3.0	5.0	5.0	2.0	1.0
Balance	4.0	5.0	5.0	4.0	5.0	4.0	4.0	2.0	1.0	3.0	2.0	3.0	2.0	1.0
Feel on paper	5.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	1.0	2.0
Design	5.0	4.0	4.0	5.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	3.0	1.0
Smudgeproof	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.0	5.0	3.0	5.0	4.0	5.0	1.0	1.0	2.0	3.0	2.0
Overall score	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	2.0	1.0
Link	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View ZenMarket	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Muji View Amazon	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View ebay View ZenMarket View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay View JetPens	View Amazon View ebay

Products That Didn't Make The Cut

Muji Gel-Ink Ballpoint Pen received the absolute lowest score on all of our tests, excluding the one for fastness. Muji’s known for stripping all excess from its designs, but this time that worked against them. What we lost was the grip, leaving us with a pin-straight barrel. It seems like when it comes to gel pens, less is not more.

However, because Muji utilizes pigment-based ink, it didn’t blur at all. It also didn’t feel horrible when we put pen to paper, so if you don’t mind the design and having a barrel your fingers will keep slipping down on, then this is still a viable choice.

How We Tested the Gel Pens

Now to introduce the 15 most popular Japanese gel pens that we ordered and the process by which we tested them.

We then tested for each of the following things:

How the Grip Felt
Balance
The Color, Feel, and Depth of the Ink
How the Nib Felt Against Paper
How Smudgeproof it Was
Design

Test ① How the Grip Felt

First, we tested the most important factor of how a pen feels in your hand: grip. We looked to see if there was even a grip to begin with; then we looked at the shape, thickness, and material of the grip, and how much resistance to slide and sweat it offered. We ranked the pens on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0.

Kakuyo Eraberno Was the Unanimous Winner With its Customization Options

All of our testers were enamored with Kokuya’s Eraberno. The grip had a level surface with grooves carved into either side, guiding our fingers into very natural positions.

In Japanese, “eraberu” is to choose; the name of this pen is a play on words. The grip comes in three sizes–thin, medium–and thick–and you can choose one according to your preferences, the size of your hand, and how you hold your pen.

The freedom also acts as a double-edged sword, however. If you choose wrong with this pen–whether that be the size of the grip or the thickness of the nib–then it suddenly loses all its appeal. Make sure you understand your preferences before purchasing.

Test ② Balance

Next, we tested a great influencer of how easy a pen is to hold and control: balance. We took the pens up in our hand and looked not only at where the center of balance was but at overall weight. We then considered the pros and cons of overall weight distribution and graded each pen on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0.

Different Designs and Price Points for Work for Different Walks of Life

After a long string of pens that we could only call mediocre, we finally found three products that pulled ahead of the pack. They were Zebra’s SARASA Clip and SARASA Grand, as well as Pilot’s Juice Up.

Zebra’s SARASA Clip is available in Japan for just 100 yen (about a dollar), making it ideal for broke university students. The SARASA Grand is a bit classier, making it a viable option for business.

Finally, there’s Pilot’s Juice Up, which has the clip attached at the very tip of the clicker so you can clip the pen into a notebook and not have any of it peek over the top. All three were well-balanced; no matter which you choose, you’ll be lifting a lot of pressure off your writing hand.

Test ③ The Color, Feel, and Depth of the Ink

You can’t write well without good ink. Therefore, our next test focused on the color, feel, and depth of the ink. For the purposes of this test, we wrote solely with black ink. We then each graded each pen on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0.

Pentel’s Energel X, Nicknamed "The Job-Hunting Pen", was the Majority Favorite

This time around, Pentel’s Energel X came out on top. Even though it’s dye-based, the ink was a clear, dark black, and we could see why it’s used so often when job-hunting in Japan. (Our resumes are typically handwritten so that the company can judge your penmanship.) It could be used in professional settings.

The pen was easy to control, as the ink came out as smooth as water and yet wasn’t slippery enough to cause any unwanted swerves. It was light and had none of the slick, slimy texture of certain oil-based inks. There was also, of course, no unwanted friction.

By the way, Sakura’s Ballsign Retractable, Mitsubishi Pencil’s uni-ball Signo 307, and Pilot’s Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Juice Up also received a score of 5.0.

Test ④ How the Nib Felt Against Paper

Next, we looked at another great influencer of writing experience: how the nib feels against paper. We paid attention to how it felt when we wrote–whether the pen flowed on the paper or whether we could hear any scratching. We then ranked each pen on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0.

Mitsubishi Uni-ball Signo RT 1 Received Top Points From All of Our Testers

When it came to feel, Mitsubishi’s Uni-ball Signo RT1 was on a completely different level from all the other pens we tested, being the only product to receive a 5.0 rating.

The secret to that smoothness was its “edgeless tip.” By removing the corner at the very tip of the body of the pen (not the nib), Mitsubishi Pencil ensured there would be less friction between pen and paper; even if you were to hold the pen at a tilted angle, your writing would still flow smoothly.

The ballpoint, too, was well-engineered, designed to not scratch the surface of your paper. The pen itself was very easy to control. Even if you do have poor penmanship, there’s a chance you could tidy up your writing by simply trying out this pen.

Test ⑤ How Smudgeproof it Was

If you need your words to last, then you need to check how fast the ink holds. We purchased some paper that’s so resistant to water, you could take notes with it underwater. We then wrote on the paper with each of the pens, soaked the written sheet in water for five minutes, and waited for it to dry.

We then took everything into consideration–the ink’s resistance to water, as well as how long it took to dry and how much it bled the second it was set on to paper–and gave each pen a grade ranging from 1.0 to 5.0.

Two of Our Contenders Held Fast and are Thus Perfect for Addressing Packages and Envelopes

Muji’s Smooth Writing Gel Ballpoint Pen and Mitsubishi Pencil’s uni-ball Signo RT1, both of which utilize pigment-based ink, didn’t blur at all. They’d be good contenders for addressing envelopes or packages.

On the other hand, inky pens like Pentel’s Hybrid and the uni-ball Signo did have some bleed-through and ghosting, depending on the type of paper we used. They’re all pens with water-resistant pigment-based ink, but they may perform differently depending on the pen and paper used.

Also, while most Japanese gel pens are pigment-based, there are still many products that are dye-based, which is of course weak to water. It’s something to look out for when you’re shopping.

Test ⑥ Design

Finally, we looked at design. Of course, we took superficial things like how cool or classy the pen looked into consideration.

We also tested for things like how well thought out the design was and whether there was anything about the design that was impractical or unwieldy. We then graded the pens on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0.

Mitsubishi’s Classy Uni-ball Signo RT1 Was a Cut Above the Rest

The Mitsubishi Pencil’s uni-ball Signo RT1 has a black barrel black pen and we especially loved that it had no undue undulations, earning it a 5.0 in the design department.

The vast majority gave this pen full points actually, which is amazing, considering that it costs just over $1. The clip was attached to the clicker, as well, which is rarely seen among Japanese stationery–just another reason that this pen is a paragon of design.

In Collaboration With Lettering Artist Mhelanie

Mhelanie, also known as Lettering by Mhel in social media, is a left-handed lettering artist who loves lettering using everyday pens such as gel pens. She loves teaching people the art of lettering and suggesting the best tools to use based on her experience. You can catch up with her and her amazing projects on her Instagram.

How to Choose a Japanese Gel Pen – Buying Guide

Now that we've told you how we tested and compared all the gel pens, we want to introduce four things you should look out for when picking out a gel pen.

Lettering Artist

Mhelanie

Gel pens are wonderful pens for everyone, and especially so for lettering artists, bullet journal artists, pen enthusiasts, and many more. Since gel pens are inexpensive, it's a great starter pen for those practicing lettering. They write smoothly which makes it easier to write quickly but beautifully.

There are a few factors to look for when you're looking for the best gel pen for you, such as: how the gel pen feels on your hand, how quickly the ink dries, and the color and design. I'm excited to help you find the best gel pen for you.

Get a Pen That Feels Good to Hold

To find a gel pen you can write comfortably with for hours, it’s important you pay attention to the shape and material of the grip and the overall balance of the pen.

When the Grip Fits Your Hand, You Don’t Tire out as Easily

If the grip’s a good fit for your hand, you’ll be able to write for hours without feeling sore. When choosing a gel pen, you want to ask the following questions:

Are there guides for my thumb, pointer, and middle fingers? Are there grooves, bumps, and indents that make the pen easy to hold? Is the material resistant to sweat? Is the grip firm or soft enough?

Then there’s the thickness of the grip. If you put a lot of pressure on your pen when you write, think about getting a thick grip; if you write with a light stroke, then get a thin grip. Take both your preferences and the weight of your strokes into consideration when looking at grip, and you’ll shift a lot of burden off of your hand.

Lettering Artist

Mhelanie

When You Write for Hours on End, Well-Balanced Pens Feel the Best

A well-balanced pen is responsive to touch; it moves easily in the way you want. Not only will writing become smoother, but the pen will also become more stable. If you plan to write for hours, then get a well-balanced gel pen–that is, make sure that the center of balance is somewhere between the middle of the barrel and the nib.

But if you only use your pen for short periods of time–to jot down sporadic notes and sign checks–then there’s little need to worry about weight.

Lettering Artist

Mhelanie

Find One That Writes Well

This sounds simple, but there are actually a few factors to look out for. With gel pens, you want to look at the color, feel, and depth of the ink, as well as how fast it is (here, we refer not to speed, but to water-resistance and light-fastness.)

If You Try out the Pen, Look at the Color, Feel, and Depth of the Ink

We say a pen writes well when it can produce clean, crisp letters. The only thing is you can’t check for this without trying the pen out for yourself. So if you do care a lot about the look of the ink, then we recommend going to a stationery store that offers testers.

Try writing things you write every day, such as your name and numbers, block and cursive letters, and pay attention to the sheen of the ink, how the letters look against the page, and depth of color.

Lettering Artist

Mhelanie

Pigment-Based Ink Holds Fast; Dye-Based Inks Offer a Variety of Colors

Gel pens tend to be inky–so the faster they dry and the less they smear, the better and more versatile they become.

In general, ink in gel pens is either pigment- or dye-based. Pigment-based ink tends to fade less over time and be more water-resistant, so it’s best for writing documents. On the other hand, dye-based ink tends to offer a greater range of colors. Think about where your priorities lie, then choose the type of ink that appeals more to you.

Lettering Artist

Mhelanie

Choose a Pen That Excels in Design

Gel pens can be beautiful, and as superficial as it may seem, it’s important to choose something with a design that appeals to you. Get a pen so beautiful that you want to use it and carry it around at all times.

It’s true that more expensive pens tend to be better designed, but that doesn’t mean that cheap pens are all lacking in the looks department. Pay attention to the fine details, and soon, even the smallest gel pen will start revealing the intent and character of its designer.

Lettering Artist

Mhelanie

Look for a Nib Size That Fits Your Purposes

Have you ever considered the relationship between what you’re writing and the size of your nib?

For letters or anything else that uses narrow-ruled paper, look for a nib 0.4 millimeters or finer; for the address on envelopes or anything else that requires larger print, try a nib 0.7 millimeters or thicker; for general use, aim for a nib that is around 0.5 millimeters.

Lettering Artist

Mhelanie

Learn More About the World of Japanese Stationery

It is of our humble opinion that you can never own too much stationery. If you were looking to expand your collection or simply want to learn more about Japanese writing instruments, you may find the articles below helpful.

Top 8 Best Japanese Mechanical Pencils that Don't Break in 2021 - Tried and True!

Top 14 Best Japanese Highlighters in 2021 - Tried and True!

Top 15 Best Japanese Calligraphy and Brush Pens in 2021 - Tried and True!

Summary

To bring out the full potential of a pen, you can also try customizing the grip and other parts. One of our stationery experts attached another grip onto his Signo RT1, adjusting it until the feel of the pen matched up to his own preferences and expectations.

Next time you’re at a stationery store or surfing the web for some good manual writing tools, be sure to keep this buying guide in the back of your mind!

Author: Nao Kondo/Translation: Jasmine Li/Photos: Nao Kondo

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Top 15 Best Japanese Gel Pens in 2021 - Tried and True! (Muji, Pentel, and More)

Experts featured in this article

Top 15 Best Japanese Gel Pens

MitsubishiUni-ball Signo RT1

Ink, Design, and Comfort–This Has it All!

PilotJuice Up Gel Pen 04

Cutting-Edge Technology With a Fine Point and Smooth Writing

ZebraSARASA Grand

A Solid Design Adds to Both Classiness and Practicality

KokuyoEraberno

Customizable and Fits Any Hand

ZebraSARASA Clip

The Blend of Quality and Price Has Earned This Pen a Dedicated Following

Sakura CraypasBallsign Knock Gel Pen

Ink Flow is Rich but the Nib Scratches Satisfyingly Against Paper

MujiSmooth Writing Gel Pen

Makes for Smooth Writing, as the Name Promises

PilotJuice Gel Pen

The Ink Flow is Pretty Much Perfect

MitsubishiUni-ball Signo

A Good Choice if You Like Scratchy Pens

ZebraSARASA Dry

Not the Most Water-Resistant but Dries Fast Enough to Work Effectively on Any Paper

PentelEnergel X

Writes in Clear, Crisp Letters

MitsubishiUni-ball Signo 307

Takes a Long Time to Dry, but Writes Smooth as Silk

PilotHi-Tec-C

The 0.25 mm Nib Could be a Deal-Breaker or Deal-Maker

PentelHybrid

Charming, Old-Timey Design With a Good Scratch on Paper

Compare the Best Japanese Gel Pens

Products That Didn't Make The Cut

How We Tested the Gel Pens

Test ① How the Grip Felt

Kakuyo Eraberno Was the Unanimous Winner With its Customization Options

Test ② Balance

Different Designs and Price Points for Work for Different Walks of Life

Test ③ The Color, Feel, and Depth of the Ink

Pentel’s Energel X, Nicknamed "The Job-Hunting Pen", was the Majority Favorite

Test ④ How the Nib Felt Against Paper

Mitsubishi Uni-ball Signo RT 1 Received Top Points From All of Our Testers

Test ⑤ How Smudgeproof it Was

Two of Our Contenders Held Fast and are Thus Perfect for Addressing Packages and Envelopes

Test ⑥ Design

Mitsubishi’s Classy Uni-ball Signo RT1 Was a Cut Above the Rest

In Collaboration With Lettering Artist Mhelanie

How to Choose a Japanese Gel Pen – Buying Guide

Get a Pen That Feels Good to Hold

When the Grip Fits Your Hand, You Don’t Tire out as Easily

When You Write for Hours on End, Well-Balanced Pens Feel the Best

Find One That Writes Well

If You Try out the Pen, Look at the Color, Feel, and Depth of the Ink

Pigment-Based Ink Holds Fast; Dye-Based Inks Offer a Variety of Colors

Choose a Pen That Excels in Design

Look for a Nib Size That Fits Your Purposes

Learn More About the World of Japanese Stationery

Summary

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