--- title: "Best Markers & Pens for Manga: Copic, Multiliner, G Nibs" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-markers-for-manga/" description: "Best markers and pens for manga on published specs: Copic Sketch and Multiliner Plus, Kuretake ZIG Mangaka, Sakura Pigma Micron, Pentel Pocket Brush, Ohuhu." category: "Pens" type: "Manga markers and pens" published: 2026-10-23 updated: 2026-10-23 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 9 products: - name: "Copic Sketch alcohol marker" brand: "Copic" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic oval barrel and caps, replaceable nibs, alcohol-based dye ink (Copic)" released: "1993" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas" model: "Copic Sketch (Amazon model number for 100 Black: SM-100S)" url: "https://copic.jp/product/sketch/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-sketch/" - name: "Copic Multiliner Plus refillable fineliner" brand: "Copic" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic barrel and cap, replaceable fiber nib, replaceable ink cartridge (fiber reservoir), water-based pigment ink" released: "2026-07-17" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas" model: "Multiliner Plus" url: "https://copic.jp/product/multiliner-plus/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-multiliner-plus/" - name: "Copic Multiliner pigment fineliner" brand: "Copic" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic barrel and cap, fiber tip in a metal sleeve, water-based pigment ink" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas" model: "Multiliner (black 0.3 mm: MLB03)" mpn: "MLB03" url: "https://copic.jp/en/product/multiliner/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-multiliner/" - name: "Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka (Flexible Fine and fineliners)" brand: "Kuretake" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Body, cap and end plug: PP; clip: stainless steel; tip: POM; water-based pigment ink (Kuretake)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Kuretake Co., Ltd. (Japan)" model: "CNMF-010" gtin: "4901427228311" url: "https://order.kuretake.co.jp/products/detail/601" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kuretake-zig-cartoonist-mangaka/" - name: "Sakura Pigma Micron" brand: "Sakura" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "PP barrel, cap and end plug; steel clip; brass tip holder; POM tip (per Sakura Japan, Pigma 01); pigment ink" released: "1982" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America" model: "ESDK (black 01 in Japan: ESDK01, color code 49, item No. 812670)" mpn: "ESDK01#49" gtin: "4901881812675" url: "https://www.craypas.com/products/regular/pigma/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-pigma-micron/" - name: "Pentel Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3)" brand: "Pentel" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic barrel, nylon bristle brush, pigment ink cartridges" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand" model: "GFKP3" mpn: "GFKP3BPA" gtin: "072512235904" url: "https://www.pentel.com/products/pentel-pentel-arts-pocket-brush-pigment-ink-pen-with-2-ink-refills" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-pocket-brush-pen/" - name: "Copic Gasenfude brush pen" brand: "Copic" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Nylon brush tip; water-based pigment ink (Copic)" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas" model: "Gasenfude" gtin: "4511338049174" url: "https://copic.jp/product/gasenfude/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-gasenfude/" - name: "Ohuhu Honolulu alcohol markers" brand: "Ohuhu" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "China" material: "Round plastic barrel, color-coded caps that fit both ends, flexible brush and chisel tips, alcohol-based dye ink" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Ohuhu Inc. (Newark, California); sold in the EU by Thousandshores Deutschland GmbH, Hamburg" url: "https://ohuhu.com/collections/honolulu-series" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/ohuhu-honolulu/" --- # Best Markers & Pens for Manga: Copic, Multiliner, G Nibs > On published specs, the best markers and pens for manga are the Copic Sketch for alcohol coloring in 358 refillable colors, the Copic Multiliner Plus for a refillable marker-proof fineliner, the Kuretake ZIG Mangaka for a flexible-tip inking pen, and the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen for bristle brush lines. Ohuhu's Honolulu is the budget alcohol marker. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-markers-for-manga/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-23 - Updated: 2026-10-23 ![Eight manga pens and markers standing on one baseline: Copic Sketch, Multiliner Plus, Multiliner, ZIG Mangaka, Pigma Micron, Pentel Pocket Brush, Copic Gasenfude and Ohuhu Honolulu](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/best-markers-for-manga-16x9.png) *Drawn to scale where a length is published · 1 mm = 1.0 px · others in proportion* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Copic Sketch alcohol marker | Copic (by Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic oval barrel and caps, replaceable nibs, alcohol-based dye ink (Copic) | 1993 | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Copic Multiliner Plus refillable fineliner | Copic (by Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic barrel and cap, replaceable fiber nib, replaceable ink cartridge (fiber reservoir), water-based pigment ink | 2026-07-17 | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Copic Multiliner pigment fineliner | Copic (by Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas) | Japan | Japan | Plastic barrel and cap, fiber tip in a metal sleeve, water-based pigment ink | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka (Flexible Fine and fineliners) | Kuretake (by Kuretake Co., Ltd. (Japan)) | Japan | Japan | Body, cap and end plug: PP; clip: stainless steel; tip: POM; water-based pigment ink (Kuretake) | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Sakura Pigma Micron | Sakura (by Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America) | Japan | Japan | PP barrel, cap and end plug; steel clip; brass tip holder; POM tip (per Sakura Japan, Pigma 01); pigment ink | 1982 | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Pentel Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3) | Pentel (by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand) | Japan | Japan | Plastic barrel, nylon bristle brush, pigment ink cartridges | – | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Copic Gasenfude brush pen | Copic (by Too Marker Products Inc. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Too Corporation Americas) | Japan | Not stated | Nylon brush tip; water-based pigment ink (Copic) | – | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Ohuhu Honolulu alcohol markers | Ohuhu (by Ohuhu Inc. (Newark, California); sold in the EU by Thousandshores Deutschland GmbH, Hamburg) | United States | China | Round plastic barrel, color-coded caps that fit both ends, flexible brush and chisel tips, alcohol-based dye ink | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Copic Sketch alcohol marker): Not stated. Copic's own pages don't state a country for the Sketch. Search snippets of Muziker and Faire listings for single Sketch markers say made in Japan, while Digitec lists Japan and Vietnam for a 6-marker set; we couldn't open the Muziker or Faire pages, so check the pack. Source: https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/copic-sketch-6x-markers-13018409 - Made in (Copic Multiliner Plus refillable fineliner): Not stated. Copic's Japanese and English product pages, its July 2026 press release and the US store listings we read on October 23, 2026 don't state a country of manufacture. The older Multiliner is listed as made in Japan by a German retailer, but we don't carry that over to a new pen. - Made in (Copic Multiliner pigment fineliner): Japan. Modulor, a Berlin art-supply retailer, lists 'Made in Japan' for the Copic Multiliner 10-color set and says the multiliners are manufactured in Japan (read October 22, 2026). Copic's own pages don't state a country. Source: https://www.modulor.de/en/copic-multiliner-set-of-10.html - Made in (Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka (Flexible Fine and fineliners)): Japan. Kuretake's Japanese order site lists 原産国 (country of origin) 日本 (Japan) for the Mangaka Flexible Fine and Medium and for the Mangaka 01; Amazon US's listings also give Japan. Source: https://order.kuretake.co.jp/products/detail/601 - Made in (Sakura Pigma Micron): Japan. Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin (read October 20, 2026). Sakura's Japanese product page for the Pigma 01 doesn't state a country. Digitec and Galaxus (Switzerland), cited earlier for Japan, blocked our access on that date. Source: https://unsharpen.com/pen/sakura-pigma-micron/ - Made in (Pentel Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3)): Japan. Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide and 2022 catalog give the origin of the Pocket Brush Pen (GFKP3) and its FP10 refills as Japan. Officeworks also lists Japan for the GFKP3BPA. Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state it. Source: https://pentel.mywestamerica.com/2023ProductGuide/81/ - Made in (Copic Gasenfude brush pen): Not stated. Copic's Japanese and US Gasenfude pages and Amazon US's listing don't state a country of manufacture. A Swiss retailer's listing (Galaxus) gives China, which we couldn't confirm with Copic, so check the package. - Made in (Ohuhu Honolulu alcohol markers): China. Digitec (Switzerland) lists China as the country of origin for the Honolulu 48-color and 320-color sets. Ohuhu's own site doesn't state where the markers are made. Ohuhu's imprint page names Ohuhu Inc. in Newark, California, as its US company. Source: https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/ohuhu-honolulu-48-x-markers-53017653 ## Key takeaways - The Copic Sketch comes in 358 colors with a brush and chisel nib, 150 mm long; each refill takes about 1.8 ml and one bottle refills a marker about 7 times, per Copic Japan. - Copic stops shipping the disposable Multiliner in Japan at the end of October 2026; the Multiliner Plus, launched July 2026, is refillable with replaceable nibs in 10 black widths. - Kuretake's ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Flexible Fine is 140 mm and 10 g with a POM tip, ¥220 (about US$1.40) with tax; its fineliners run 003 to 08. - Sakura's Pigma Micron comes in ten sizes from 003 (0.15 mm) to 12 (0.70 mm); Copic, Kuretake and Sakura all say their pigment inks won't dissolve under alcohol markers. - The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen has nylon bristles and FP10 cartridges, 136 mm; Copic's Gasenfude brush pen uses the same pigment ink as the Multiliner. ## What are the best markers and pens for manga? **On published specs, the best markers and pens for manga are the Copic Sketch for alcohol coloring, the Copic Multiliner Plus for a refillable marker-proof fineliner, the Kuretake ZIG Mangaka for inking with a flexible tip, and the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen for bristle lines.** Manga needs two kits: black pigment ink for lines that won't move, and alcohol markers for color that lays flat over them. The Copic Sketch leads because its 358 colors refill and its nibs replace, so the set lasts. - **Best alcohol marker:** [Copic Sketch](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-sketch/). *Why it's here:* 358 refillable colors with replaceable brush and chisel nibs, so it outlasts a budget set. - **Best fineliner:** [Copic Multiliner Plus](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-multiliner-plus/). *Why it's here:* refillable, in 10 black widths from 0.03 mm to brush, with nib wear 70% lower than the old Multiliner and ink that resists alcohol, per Copic. - **Still sold outside Japan:** [Copic Multiliner](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-multiliner/). *Why it's here:* the pen the Plus replaces, in 7 black widths, with ink Copic says resists water and alcohol. - **Best inking pen:** [Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kuretake-zig-cartoonist-mangaka/). *Why it's here:* the only pick with a Flexible Fine POM tip for line weight, plus 003 to 08 fineliners, in pigment ink under $5. - **Best archival fineliner:** [Sakura Pigma Micron](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-pigma-micron/). *Why it's here:* archival pigment ink in ten sizes from 0.15 to 0.70 mm, under $5, if you don't need refills. - **Best brush pen:** [Pentel Pocket Brush Pen](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-pocket-brush-pen/). *Why it's here:* real nylon bristles for brush lines that respond to pressure, refilled with FP10 cartridges. - **Marker-proof brush:** [Copic Gasenfude](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/copic-gasenfude/). *Why it's here:* nylon bristles like the Pocket Brush Pen, but with the Multiliner's alcohol-resistant pigment ink. - **Budget alcohol marker:** [Ohuhu Honolulu](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/ohuhu-honolulu/). *Why it's here:* 344 colors with brush and chisel tips and refill bottles, close to Copic's range for a set that's affordable today. ## How did we choose these picks? **We compiled these picks from published sources, not hands-on testing: makers' specs and ink claims (Copic Japan, Kuretake, Sakura, Pentel), retailer listings, US availability and price band.** We chose pigment inks that makers say resist water or alcohol for lines, then alcohol markers for color. ## How do the manga pens compare? **Fineliners and the Mangaka cost under $5; the Copic Sketch, Multiliner Plus and brush pens sit in the $$ band.** Figures are the makers' or their retailers'. | Pen | Job | Tip | Sizes or colors | Length | Refillable | Band | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Copic Sketch | Color | Brush and chisel | 358 colors | 150 mm | Ink and nibs | $$ ($5–20) | | Copic Multiliner Plus | Lines | Pigment fineliner | 0.03–4.0 mm and brush | Not published | Cartridges and nibs | $$ | | Copic Multiliner | Lines | Pigment fineliner | 0.03–1.0 mm | 139 mm | No | $ (under $5) | | Kuretake ZIG Mangaka | Lines | POM flexible tip; fineliners | Flexible Fine; 003–08 | 140 mm, 10 g | No | $ | | Sakura Pigma Micron | Lines | Pigment fineliner | 003–12 (0.15–0.70 mm) | 135 mm, 9 g | No | $ | | Pentel Pocket Brush Pen | Brush lines, fills | Nylon bristles | Black | 136 mm | FP10 cartridges | $$ | | Copic Gasenfude | Brush lines | Nylon bristles, 9 mm | Black | Not published | No | $$ | | Ohuhu Honolulu | Color | Brush and 1–6 mm chisel | 344 colors | Not published | Ink and tips | $ a marker | ## Why pigment ink for inking? **Because alcohol markers dissolve dye ink and lift it into the color, while dried pigment ink stays where it was drawn.** Copic says the Multiliner's ink resists both water and alcohol, Kuretake says dried Mangaka ink won't bleed when alcohol markers go over it, and Sakura's Pigma line, launched in 1982, is archival pigment. Let lines dry fully before coloring, longer on coated paper. The same rule covers brush pens: the Gasenfude shares the Multiliner's ink, and the Pocket Brush's black cartridges are pigment. Dye-based brush pens such as the Tombow Fudenosuke are fine for lettering but will bleed under markers. ## Copic Sketch or Ohuhu for color? **Copic for a tool that lasts, Ohuhu for a set that's affordable today.** The Sketch's oval body holds a brush and a chisel, Copic Japan says a refill takes about 1.8 ml and one bottle refills a marker about seven times, and both nibs replace. With 358 colors it's the widest alcohol range and the manga industry's default since 1993. Ohuhu's Honolulu copies the format, with 344 colors, sets up to 320 markers, 16 ml refill bottles and spare brush tips, and its 48-color set was Amazon's top-ranked drawing marker set when we checked. For the water-based side of coloring, see our [pens for coloring](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-pens-for-coloring/) roundup. ## Which fineliner sizes do you need? **A 0.3 or 0.5 mm for outlines, a 0.1 or 0.05 mm for hatching, and a brush or Flexible Fine for weight.** Copic's black Multiliner comes in 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 mm; the Plus adds 2.0 and 4.0 mm and a brush. Sakura's Micron sizes run 003 to 12, and the Mangaka 003 to 08. For the dip-nib route that most published manga still uses, start with our [dip pens for beginners](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-dip-pens-for-beginners/) guide. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which markers do professional manga artists use? Copic Sketch is the standard alcohol marker for manga coloring, with 358 refillable colors and a brush nib that Copic added in 1993 for comics. For black-and-white work, most inking is done with dip nibs, fineliners and brush pens rather than markers. ### What pens are used for inking manga? Dip pens with G and Maru nibs for the classic look, pigment fineliners like the Copic Multiliner, Pigma Micron and ZIG Mangaka for clean lines, and brush pens like the Pentel Pocket Brush for thick-and-thin. Our dip pens for beginners guide covers the nibs. ### Will Copic markers smear my ink lines? Not if the lines are pigment ink that has dried. Copic says the Multiliner's ink resists water and alcohol, Kuretake says dried Mangaka ink won't bleed under alcohol markers, and Sakura's Pigma ink is archival pigment. Dye-based pens and fresh ink will bleed. ### Copic Sketch or Ohuhu Honolulu for manga coloring? Copic for refills, 358 colors and nib replacements that keep one marker going for years; Ohuhu for a 48-color set at a fraction of the price, with 344 colors, 16 ml refill bottles and spare tips. Both are alcohol markers with a brush end. ### What is replacing the Copic Multiliner? The Copic Multiliner Plus, launched in July 2026. Copic Japan stops shipping the disposable Multiliner in Japan at the end of October 2026; the Plus takes ink cartridges and replacement nibs, and Copic says its nib wears 70% less. ### Which fineliner size is best for manga? A 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm for main lines and a 0.1 mm or 0.05 mm for hatching and detail. Copic's Multiliner runs 0.03 to 1.0 mm, the Pigma Micron 0.15 to 0.70 mm, and the ZIG Mangaka 003 to 08, about 0.18 to 0.65 mm. ### Is a brush pen good for manga? Yes, for varied line weight and black fills. The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen has real nylon bristles and swaps FP10 cartridges; the Copic Gasenfude uses the Multiliner's marker-proof pigment ink. A felt-tip brush like the Mangaka Flexible Fine is easier to control. ## Sources - [Copic Japan: Copic Sketch (358 colors, 11 × 16 × 150 mm, ¥495; refill about 1.8 ml, 7 refills per bottle)](https://copic.jp/product/sketch/) - [Copic Japan: Multiliner Plus (¥297; 10 black widths; nib wear 70% better, writing distance 50% longer; cartridges and nibs)](https://copic.jp/product/multiliner-plus/) - [Copic Japan: Multiliner shipping ends in Japan at the end of October 2026 (October 15, 2026 notice)](https://copic.jp/news/information/20261015/) - [Copic Japan: Multiliner (10.5 × 14.5 × 139 mm, ¥242, 7 black widths, water- and alcohol-resistant pigment ink)](https://copic.jp/product/multiliner/) - [Kuretake: ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Flexible Fine CNMF-010 (140 × 13 mm, 10 g, POM tip, pigment ink, ¥220)](https://order.kuretake.co.jp/products/detail/601) - [Sakura Japan: Pigma Micron (ten black sizes 003–12; ESDK01 135 × 11 × 13 mm, 9 g, ¥220)](https://www.craypas.com/products/lineup/detail/167.php) - [Pentel Japan: ポケットブラッシュ XGFKP-A (136 mm; FP10-A cartridges, 4 for ¥385)](https://www.pentel.co.jp/products/brush/pentelfude_pocket_brush/) - [Copic Japan: Gasenfude (¥506; 205 × 47 × 12 mm package; same pigment ink as Multiliner)](https://copic.jp/product/gasenfude/) - [Ohuhu: Honolulu alcohol markers (344 colors, sets up to 320, refill bottles, spare tips)](https://ohuhu.com/collections/honolulu-series)