KAYOU+ AIMVISION and PRO: iF-Winning Drafting Pencils
The KAYOU+ AIMVISION (KAMP-AISBK in Stone Black) is a 0.5 mm drafting mechanical pencil with a machined brass front section, a light resin rear and a 24 mm clip: 142 mm, 12.9 g, ¥5,500 (about US$35). Its all-brass sibling, the AIMVISION PRO, weighs 26 g. Both won iF Design Awards in 2026 and are made in Japan.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- KAYOU+ AIMVISION 0.5 mm drafting mechanical pencil (KAMP-AISBK)
- Brand
- KAYOU+
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Machined brass front section, lightweight resin body, rubber grip
- Released
- July 2025*
- Price range
- $$$$20–75 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by KAYOU Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), the Japanese subsidiary of China's KAYOU group. Made in Japan: KAYOU's launch release of July 4, 2025 calls the AIMVISION, AIMVISION PRO and the brand's two pens all made in Japan (オールメイドジャパン). Its product page doesn't repeat it. Source. Released: KAYOU's launch release (July 4, 2025) gives July 24, 2025 for the first four KAYOU+ products.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- KAYOU+ lists the AIMVISION at 142 mm long, 9 mm across and 12.9 g, and the AIMVISION PRO at 143.7 mm and 26 g.
- The AIMVISION costs ¥5,500 (about US$35) and the PRO ¥7,920 (about US$50) in Japan, each in three colors.
- Both won an iF Design Award 2026 (product design, office and stationery), announced by KAYOU on February 27, 2026.
- The PRO also won the Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026 mechanical pencil award, with the AIMVISION 4th in the same category.
- KAYOU launched both on July 24, 2025 as made-in-Japan pencils; we found no US retailer on October 23, 2026.
What is the KAYOU+ AIMVISION?
It is a 0.5 mm drafting mechanical pencil from KAYOU+, a stationery brand launched in Tokyo in July 2025, built around a machined brass front section on a light resin body. KAYOU+ says the front-weighted design gives a steady line without fatigue.
KAYOU Co., Ltd. is the Japanese subsidiary of KAYOU, which its release calls China’s largest trading-card game maker. The AIMVISION and the all-brass AIMVISION PRO were two of the brand’s first four products, all described as made in Japan.
AIMVISION and AIMVISION PRO specs
The PRO is slightly longer and twice as heavy; otherwise the two share a design.
| AIMVISION | AIMVISION PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Length × diameter | 142 × 9 mm (5.6 × 0.35 in) | 143.7 × 9 mm (5.7 × 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 12.9 g | 26 g |
| Body | Brass front, octagonal resin rear | Machined brass, iron parts |
| Grip | Line-pattern rubber inside brass | Knurling plus rubber |
| Colors | Stone Black, Mineral Silver, Native Gold | Meteor Black, Titanium Gold, Snow White |
| Japan price | ¥5,500 (about US$35) | ¥7,920 (about US$50) |
Figures are from KAYOU+’s product page and KAYOU’s February 27, 2026 release. Codes: AIMVISION KAMP-AISBK, -AISSV, -AISGD; PRO KAMP-AIPBK, -AIPGD, -AIPWH.
What makes it a drafting pencil?
A lead-grade dial, a stiff brass front and a short clip that stays out of the way. The rotating dial shows the lead hardness you loaded, and KAYOU says its gear design stops it turning by accident.
The 24 mm clip sits near the back, so it doesn’t press into your hand. Inside the brass front, a one-piece rubber sleeve shows through windows as the grip.
Should you get the AIMVISION or the PRO?
Get the AIMVISION if you write or sketch for hours; get the PRO if you like a heavy, all-metal pencil. At 12.9 g the AIMVISION is close to a plastic drafting pencil, with the weight concentrated at the brass front; at 26 g the PRO is heavier than the all-metal rOtring 600 (22 g, per our guide).
The PRO costs ¥2,420 (about US$15) more in Japan. Its knurled-plus-rubber grip is the bigger difference in the hand, and it is the one shop staff ranked first. We’ll compare both in our own test before recommending one.
Which awards did it win?
Both pencils won an iF Design Award 2026, and the PRO won the Bungu-ya-san Taishō 2026 mechanical pencil category. iF lists both under product design, office and stationery, with LONT Inc. of Tokyo as designer and North America among the target regions.
In the shop-staff Bungu-ya-san ranking, the PRO placed 1st and the AIMVISION 4th among mechanical pencils. In August 2026 the PRO was also runner-up for the grand prize of GetNavi’s reader-voted Stationery General Election 2026. See every 2026 stationery award winner.
How does it compare with other drafting pencils?
The AIMVISION is a light drafting pencil like the Graph 1000; the PRO is a heavy brass one like the Solid Write.
| Length | Weight | Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIMVISION | 142 mm | 12.9 g | Brass front, resin rear |
| AIMVISION PRO | 143.7 mm | 26 g | Brass |
| LACONIC Solid Write | 149 mm | 23 g | Rubber-coated metal |
| Pentel Graph 1000 for Pro | 145 mm | 11 g | Plastic, metal tip |
Other figures from our Solid Write and Graph 1000 guides. Our best mechanical pencils covers easier-to-buy options.
Can you buy it in the US?
Not from a US store yet: on October 23, 2026, Amazon.com and JetPens returned no results for KAYOU AIMVISION. KAYOU+ sells through Japanese stationery stores, so a proxy service is the practical way. At Japan’s price both models sit in our $$$ band ($20–75).
Where is it made?
In Japan, according to KAYOU’s July 2025 launch release, which calls all four first KAYOU+ pens and pencils made in Japan. The product page itself doesn’t state the country.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the AIMVISION and the AIMVISION PRO?
The PRO is machined from brass throughout and weighs 26 g; the AIMVISION has the same brass front section on a resin rear barrel and weighs 12.9 g. The PRO adds knurling to its rubber grip and costs ¥7,920 (about US$50) against ¥5,500 (about US$35).
Who makes KAYOU+ pencils?
KAYOU Co., Ltd., a Tokyo company that is the Japanese arm of KAYOU, China's largest trading-card game maker. KAYOU+ is its stationery brand, launched in July 2025.
What lead does the AIMVISION take?
0.5 mm lead. KAYOU+'s instructions say to load no more than about two leads at a time.
Is the AIMVISION a good drafting pencil for beginners?
It has the drafting features, a lead-grade dial and a thin metal sleeve, at a mid price, and the light resin body makes it easier to hold for long sessions than the brass PRO. We haven't tested it against a Graph 1000 yet.
Who designed the AIMVISION?
iF's winner page credits LONT Inc. of Tokyo, with Taku Yahara, as the designer, and KAYOU Co., Ltd. as the manufacturer.
Can I buy the KAYOU+ AIMVISION in the US?
Not from a US retailer as of October 23, 2026: Amazon.com and JetPens returned no results. KAYOU+ lists Japanese stores, so a proxy service is the route.
Is the KAYOU+ AIMVISION made in Japan?
Yes, according to KAYOU's July 2025 launch release, which describes all four first KAYOU+ products as made in Japan.
Sources
- KAYOU+ (Japanese): AIMVISION エイムビジョン (φ9 × 142 mm, 12.9 g, ¥5,500, codes and JANs; read October 23, 2026)
- KAYOU+ (Japanese): AIMVISION brand page (brass front, octagonal resin rear, 24 mm clip, dial patent pending)
- KAYOU+ (Japanese): AIMVISION PRO brand page (all machined brass, knurled and rubber grip, colors)
- KAYOU via PR TIMES (Koubo): 本物志向のステーショナリーブランド「KAYOU＋」デビュー (July 4, 2025; made in Japan, July 24 launch, prices)
- KAYOU via PR TIMES (Koubo): KAYOU＋第一弾発売商品が『文房具屋さん大賞2026』で全製品受賞 (February 27, 2026; PRO 143.7 mm, 26 g)
- KAYOU via PR TIMES (Koubo): AIMVISION PRO・AIMVISION iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 受賞 (February 27, 2026)
- iF Design: AIMVISION drafting mechanical pencil (winner page; designer LONT Inc.; read October 23, 2026)
- iF Design: AIMVISION PRO drafting mechanical pencil (winner page)
- KAYOU+ news: 【文房具総選挙2026】「AIMVISION PRO」が準大賞を受賞 (August 6, 2026)
- Fusosha: 文房具屋さん大賞 公式サイト (2026 mechanical pencil award)