--- title: "Best New Japanese Pens of 2026: FriXion Synergy 3 & More" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-new-japanese-pens-2026/" description: "The best new Japanese pens and pencils of 2026: FriXion Synergy 3 and Ball Switch, uni-ball One 3, AIRSTEP, LACONIC Solid Write, Sailor Casual L and ANY LINER." category: "Pens" published: 2026-10-22 updated: 2026-10-22 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 10 products: - name: "Pilot FriXion Synergy 3, 0.4 mm erasable 3-color pen (LTFS3-14)" brand: "Pilot" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Resin body, metal clip, elastomer eraser; metal Synergy Tip; FriXion thermo-sensitive gel ink" released: "2025-12-19" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Pilot Corporation (Japan)" model: "LTFS3-14" mpn: "LTFS3-14-B" gtin: "4902505688683" url: "https://webcatalog.pilot.co.jp/products/DispDetail.do?volumeName=00004&itemID=t000100005756" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-frixion-synergy-3/" - name: "Pilot FriXion Ball Switch, 0.5 mm FriXion + 0.7 mm oil-based (LB31FBS-2)" brand: "Pilot" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Resin body with rubber grip; FriXion thermo-sensitive gel ink and oil-based pigment ink" released: "2026-03-05" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Pilot Corporation (Japan)" model: "LB31FBS" mpn: "LB31FBS-2-B" gtin: "4902505697197" url: "https://webcatalog.pilot.co.jp/products/DispDetail.do?volumeName=00004&itemID=t000100005839" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-frixion-ball-switch/" - name: "uni-ball One 3, 3-color gel pen (UME3-SR)" brand: "uni-ball" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic body, metal wire clip; water-based pigment gel ink" released: "2026-03-18" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd." model: "UME3-SR" mpn: "UME3SR05.20" gtin: "4902778352908" url: "https://www.mpuni.co.jp/products/ballpoint_pens/gel/uniball_one/one_3/ume3sr.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-ball-one-3/" - name: "Pilot AIRSTEP 0.5 mm mechanical pencil (HAS-15)" brand: "Pilot" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "ABS barrel, inner barrel, knob and eraser cap; elastomer grip; polycarbonate clip; tin-cobalt-plated brass nose (Pilot catalog)" released: "2025-11-28" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Pilot Corporation (Japan)" model: "HAS-15" mpn: "HAS-15-PKB" gtin: "4902505685576" url: "https://webcatalog.pilot.co.jp/products/DispDetail.do?volumeName=00004&itemID=t000100005679" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-airstep/" - name: "LACONIC Solid Write 0.5 mm mechanical pencil (SW-01)" brand: "LACONIC" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Metal body with rubber coating; metal hexagonal ring" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "LACONIC Co., Ltd. (株式会社LACONIC), Japan" model: "SW-01" url: "https://laconic-generalstore.jp/?pid=186096415" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/laconic-solid-write/" - name: "Sailor Profit Casual L Gold Trim fountain pen (11-0820); 1911 Casual L in the US" brand: "Sailor" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "PMMA resin cap, barrel and section; stainless-steel nib and metal parts with gold-colored IP finish" released: "2025-10-04" price_band: "$$$$ (over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "The Sailor Pen Co., Ltd., Kure, Hiroshima, Japan; majority-owned by PLUS Corporation since May 2022" model: "11-0820" mpn: "11-0820-420" gtin: "4901680607847" url: "https://sailor.co.jp/product/11-0820/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sailor-profit-casual-l/" - name: "KOKUYO Campus ANY LINER twin highlighter (WPM1)" brand: "KOKUYO" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic body and caps; felt tips; water-based ink with hollow micro-particles" released: "2026-09-16" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "KOKUYO Co., Ltd." model: "WPM1" mpn: "WPM1-SM-5C" url: "https://kokuyo.jp/pr/campus/anyliner/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-campus-any-liner/" --- # Best New Japanese Pens of 2026: FriXion Synergy 3 & More > The best new Japanese pen of 2026 is the Pilot FriXion Synergy 3, an erasable 3-color pen with a 0.4 mm Synergy Tip that won a Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026 award. Also new: the FriXion Ball Switch, uni-ball One 3, Pilot AIRSTEP pencil, LACONIC Solid Write, Sailor Profit Casual L fountain pen and KOKUYO's ANY LINER highlighter. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-new-japanese-pens-2026/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-22 - Updated: 2026-10-22 ![Seven new Japanese pens and pencils of 2026 standing tip down on one line, each labelled with its pick: FriXion Synergy 3, FriXion Ball Switch, uni-ball One 3, AIRSTEP, Solid Write, Profit Casual L and ANY LINER](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/best-new-japanese-pens-2026-16x9.png) *Seven 2025–26 launches, lengths drawn to scale from the makers' and JetPens' figures.* 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) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pilot FriXion Synergy 3, 0.4 mm erasable 3-color pen (LTFS3-14) | Pilot (by Pilot Corporation (Japan)) | Japan | Not stated | Resin body, metal clip, elastomer eraser; metal Synergy Tip; FriXion thermo-sensitive gel ink | 2025-12-19 | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Pilot FriXion Ball Switch, 0.5 mm FriXion + 0.7 mm oil-based (LB31FBS-2) | Pilot (by Pilot Corporation (Japan)) | Japan | Not stated | Resin body with rubber grip; FriXion thermo-sensitive gel ink and oil-based pigment ink | 2026-03-05 | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | uni-ball One 3, 3-color gel pen (UME3-SR) | uni-ball (by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic body, metal wire clip; water-based pigment gel ink | 2026-03-18 | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Pilot AIRSTEP 0.5 mm mechanical pencil (HAS-15) | Pilot (by Pilot Corporation (Japan)) | Japan | Not stated | ABS barrel, inner barrel, knob and eraser cap; elastomer grip; polycarbonate clip; tin-cobalt-plated brass nose (Pilot catalog) | 2025-11-28 | $$: $5–20 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | LACONIC Solid Write 0.5 mm mechanical pencil (SW-01) | LACONIC (by LACONIC Co., Ltd. (株式会社LACONIC), Japan) | Japan | Japan | Metal body with rubber coating; metal hexagonal ring | – | $$$: $20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Sailor Profit Casual L Gold Trim fountain pen (11-0820); 1911 Casual L in the US | Sailor (by The Sailor Pen Co., Ltd., Kure, Hiroshima, Japan; majority-owned by PLUS Corporation since May 2022) | Japan | Not stated | PMMA resin cap, barrel and section; stainless-steel nib and metal parts with gold-colored IP finish | 2025-10-04 | $$$$: over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | KOKUYO Campus ANY LINER twin highlighter (WPM1) | KOKUYO (by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic body and caps; felt tips; water-based ink with hollow micro-particles | 2026-09-16 | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Pilot FriXion Synergy 3, 0.4 mm erasable 3-color pen (LTFS3-14)): Not stated. Pilot's Japanese press release and web catalog, JetPens and the Amazon.com import listing we read on October 22, 2026 don't state a country of manufacture. - Made in (Pilot FriXion Ball Switch, 0.5 mm FriXion + 0.7 mm oil-based (LB31FBS-2)): Not stated. Pilot's Japanese press release and web catalog, JetPens and the Amazon.com listing we read on October 22, 2026 don't state a country of manufacture. - Made in (uni-ball One 3, 3-color gel pen (UME3-SR)): Not stated. Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese product page and press release, JetPens and the Amazon.com listing we read on October 22, 2026 don't state a country of manufacture. - Made in (Pilot AIRSTEP 0.5 mm mechanical pencil (HAS-15)): Not stated. Pilot's Japanese press release and web catalog and the JetPens listing we read on October 22, 2026 don't state a country of manufacture. - Made in (LACONIC Solid Write 0.5 mm mechanical pencil (SW-01)): Japan. LACONIC's own store lists 生産国 日本 (country of production: Japan), and its award notices say 製造：日本. Source: https://laconic-generalstore.jp/?pid=186096415 - Made in (Sailor Profit Casual L Gold Trim fountain pen (11-0820); 1911 Casual L in the US): Not stated. Sailor's Japanese product page and Goulet Pens' listing (read October 22, 2026) don't state a country; an Amazon.com import listing calls it made in Japan, which we don't treat as a reliable source. - Made in (KOKUYO Campus ANY LINER twin highlighter (WPM1)): Not stated. KOKUYO's press release, JetPens and the Amazon.com listing we read on October 22, 2026 don't state a country of manufacture. ## Key takeaways - Six of the seven picks went on sale in Japan between October 4, 2025 and September 16, 2026; LACONIC gives no launch date for the Solid Write, which won a Good Design Award on October 16, 2025. - Pilot launched the FriXion Synergy 3 at ¥1,100 (about US$7) and the FriXion Ball Switch at ¥880 (about US$5.60); the Ball Switch adds a permanent oil-based black to three erasable inks. - The uni-ball One 3 is 129 mm long and 15 g, 10 mm shorter than the single-color uni-ball One, per JetPens. - The LACONIC Solid Write won the Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026 grand prize; it is a 149 mm, 23 g clipless metal pencil at ¥3,960 (about US$25). - Price bands run from $ for the ANY LINER to $$$$ for the Sailor Profit Casual L, sold in the US as the 1911 Casual L. ## What are the best new Japanese pens of 2026? **The Pilot FriXion Synergy 3 leads a strong year: an erasable 3-color pen with a 0.4 mm metal tip, launched December 19, 2025.** Every pick below launched or won its first award in Japan between October 2025 and September 2026, and most are already at US importers. It's #1 because it's the first FriXion multi pen with Pilot's fine 0.4 mm Synergy Tip, and it won the function award at the Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026. - **Best overall:** [Pilot FriXion Synergy 3](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-frixion-synergy-3/). *Why it's here:* the first FriXion multi pen with Pilot's 0.4 mm Synergy Tip, for finer erasable notes than the Ball Switch, and a 2026 Bungu-ya-san Taishō winner; 145 mm, 13 g. - **Erasable plus permanent:** [Pilot FriXion Ball Switch](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-frixion-ball-switch/). *Why it's here:* the only new pen with both erasable and permanent ink: three FriXion colors on slide levers and an oil-based black under the clip. - **Three-color gel:** [uni-ball One 3](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-ball-one-3/). *Why it's here:* the year's pigment-gel multi pen, the uni-ball One's dark ink in black, red and blue in a short twist body, for notes that shouldn't erase. - **Everyday pencil:** [Pilot AIRSTEP](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-airstep/). *Why it's here:* a new feeding idea for everyday use: press the worn tip on the paper and it feeds fresh lead, per Pilot. - **Premium pencil:** [LACONIC Solid Write](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/laconic-solid-write/). *Why it's here:* the Taishō 2026 grand prize winner, a clipless rubber-coated metal pencil with a hexagonal anti-roll ring, for a gift. - **Fountain pen:** [Sailor Profit Casual L](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sailor-profit-casual-l/). *Why it's here:* the only new fountain pen here, a full-size Sailor with a hand-finished steel nib in gold-colored IP, sold in the US as the 1911 Casual L. - **Highlighter:** [KOKUYO Campus ANY LINER](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-campus-any-liner/). *Why it's here:* the cheapest pick, a twin highlighter whose ink KOKUYO says shows through less on thin paper. ## How did we choose these picks? **We compiled these picks from published sources, not hands-on testing: makers' Japanese releases and specs, 2026 award results, JetPens and Goulet listings for US availability, and price band.** Each pick had to launch or win its first award in Japan between October 2025 and September 2026; we kept the most notable new pen of each type. ## How do the new pens compare? **Four are everyday $$ pens and pencils; the Solid Write and Casual L are gift-level, and the ANY LINER is the cheapest.** | Pick | Type | On sale in Japan | Japan price | Size, weight | Band | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | FriXion Synergy 3 | Erasable 3-color gel, 0.4 mm | Dec 19, 2025 | ¥1,100 (about US$7) | 145 mm (5.7 in), 13 g | $$ | | FriXion Ball Switch | 3 erasable + 1 permanent | Mar 5, 2026 | ¥880 (about US$5.60) | 145 mm (5.7 in), 15.2 g | $$ | | uni-ball One 3 | 3-color gel, 0.38 / 0.5 mm | Mar 18, 2026 | ¥1,430 (about US$9.10) | 129 mm (5.1 in), 15 g | $$ | | Pilot AIRSTEP | 0.5 mm mechanical pencil | Nov 28, 2025 | ¥495 (about US$3.10) | 137.7 mm (5.4 in), 11.6 g | $$ | | LACONIC Solid Write | 0.5 mm metal pencil | Not published (Good Design Award, Oct 16, 2025) | ¥3,960 (about US$25) | 149 mm (5.9 in), 23 g | $$$ | | Sailor Profit Casual L | Fountain pen, steel nib | Oct 4, 2025 | ¥13,200 (about US$84) | 141 mm (5.6 in) capped, 19.8 g | $$$$ | | KOKUYO ANY LINER | Twin highlighter | Sep 16, 2026 | ¥100 (about US$0.60) before tax | 135 mm (5.3 in) capped, 8 g | $ | Dates and prices are from the makers' Japanese releases and pages (with tax unless noted); sizes from the makers and JetPens. ![Japanese launch dates of seven new pens: Sailor Profit Casual L October 4, 2025; Pilot AIRSTEP November 28, 2025; FriXion Synergy 3 December 19, 2025; FriXion Ball Switch March 5, 2026; uni-ball One 3 March 18, 2026; KOKUYO ANY LINER September 16, 2026; LACONIC Solid Write, launch date not published, Good Design Award October 16, 2025](https://stationerytimes.com/images/best-new-japanese-pens-2026-timeline.svg) *A year of launches, from Sailor's October 2025 Casual L to KOKUYO's September 2026 ANY LINER.* ## FriXion Synergy 3 or FriXion Ball Switch? **Pick the Synergy 3 for fine erasable notes; pick the Ball Switch if you also need ink that won't erase.** The Synergy 3's 0.4 mm metal tip writes a finer, more precise line, and it is the first FriXion multi-pen with that tip. The Ball Switch is cheaper and adds a permanent oil-based black, selected by pushing the clip, for signing forms. FriXion ink fades with heat, so neither erasable ink belongs on a check. ## Which new pencil should you buy? **The AIRSTEP for school and work, the Solid Write as a gift.** Pilot says the AIRSTEP lets you write a whole click's worth of lead, then press the tip on the paper to expose more, and a resin cushion spring limits how far the lead sinks. The LACONIC Solid Write has no clip; a hexagonal metal ring near the grip stops it rolling. It weighs 23 g, twice the AIRSTEP, and LACONIC says it is made in Japan. ## Which new pen suits fountain pen users? **The Sailor Profit Casual L.** Sailor hand-finishes its stainless-steel nib like its gold nibs and coats it in gold-colored IP, and says it writes like a gold nib; that is the maker's claim. It is the same size as the Sailor 1911L, per Goulet Pens, and takes Sailor cartridges or the included converter. For fountain pens in general, see our [best Japanese pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-japanese-pens/). ## What else launched this year? **Two more Japanese pens are worth a look.** Pilot's [Juice+](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-juice-plus/) puts the Juice Up's 0.4 mm Synergy Tip in a plainer body at ¥165 (about US$1.00) and won the ballpoint award at the Taishō 2026. Mitsubishi Pencil's [uni-ball &knot](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-ball-andknot/) is a capped Jetstream pen on a ring carabiner, launched on June 17, 2026 at ¥3,630 (about US$23). ## Where can you buy them in the US? **JetPens stocks most of them, Goulet sells the 1911 Casual L, and the Solid Write is an import.** On October 22, 2026, JetPens listed the Synergy 3 in all five body colors and ten Ball Switch versions, and the uni-ball One 3 had 126 ratings on its Amazon.com gift listing. The Solid Write's Amazon.com import listing had 56 ratings that day. LACONIC also ships abroad through the ZenMarket proxy. ## Frequently asked questions ### What won the Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026? The LACONIC Solid Write mechanical pencil took the grand prize. Shop staff also gave the FriXion Synergy 3 the function award and named the Sailor Profit Casual L the fountain-pen winner. ### Can you buy these new Japanese pens in the US? Mostly, yes. JetPens sells the FriXion Synergy 3, FriXion Ball Switch, uni-ball One 3, AIRSTEP and ANY LINER, Goulet sells the 1911 Casual L, and the LACONIC Solid Write is available through Japan-import sellers on Amazon.com. ### Is there an erasable pen with permanent ink too? Yes, the Pilot FriXion Ball Switch: three erasable FriXion colors on slide levers, plus an oil-based black that Pilot says resists rubbing, water and alcohol, selected by pushing the clip down. ### What is the newest uni-ball pen? Among the pens here, the uni-ball One 3, launched in Japan on March 18, 2026. Mitsubishi Pencil also released the &knot carabiner Jetstream pen on June 17, 2026. ### Which new Japanese pencil is best for students? The Pilot AIRSTEP: a 0.5 mm pencil at ¥495 (about US$3.10) in Japan that keeps feeding lead when you press the worn tip on the paper, so you click less. ### Does the ANY LINER really bleed less? KOKUYO says its hollow micro-particle ink shows through less on thin notebook paper and doesn't spread at the end of a stroke. That's the maker's claim; we haven't tested it yet. ### Are these pens made in Japan? LACONIC says the Solid Write is made in Japan. Pilot, Mitsubishi Pencil, Sailor and KOKUYO don't state a country on the product pages we read for the others. ## Sources - [Pilot Japan press release: FriXion Synergy 3 (on sale December 19, 2025, ¥1,100)](https://www.pilot.co.jp/press_release/2025/11/28/3_2.html) - [Pilot Japan press release: FriXion Ball Switch (on sale March 5, 2026, ¥880)](https://www.pilot.co.jp/press_release/2026/02/10/content_19.html) - [Pilot Japan press release: AIRSTEP (on sale November 28, 2025, ¥495)](https://www.pilot.co.jp/press_release/2025/11/11/post_145.html) - [Mitsubishi Pencil press release: uni-ball One 3 (on sale March 18, 2026)](https://www.mpuni.co.jp/company/press/20260306-54237.html) - [LACONIC GENERAL STORE: Solid Write SW-01 (¥3,960; 149 × 9 mm, 23 g, made in Japan)](https://laconic-generalstore.jp/?pid=186096415) - [LACONIC news: Solid Write wins the Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026 grand prize (February 20, 2026)](https://www.laconic.co.jp/cn4/news_2026_0220.html) - [Sailor (Japanese): Profit Casual L Gold Trim 11-0820 (¥13,200, October 4, 2025)](https://sailor.co.jp/product/11-0820/) - [KOKUYO via PR TIMES: Campus ANY LINER (on sale September 16, 2026)](https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001403.000048998.html) - [JetPens: Uni-ball One 3 Color Gel Multi Pen, 0.5 mm, Brick Red (12.9 cm, 15 g)](https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-One-3-Color-Gel-Multi-Pen-0.5-mm-Brick-Red/pd/51999) - [Goulet Pens: Sailor 1911 Casual L Fountain Pen, Demonstrator](https://www.gouletpens.com/products/sailor-1911-casual-l-fountain-pen-demonstrator)