Est. 2026 · Price: FreeEditor-at-large: The Hedgehog

Stationery Times

Brand: Kokuyo

Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone Marker: Two Shades in One Pen

Compiled from 6 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

The Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone Color Marker is a highlighter whose single tip carries two shades of one hue, so you mark by importance without swapping pens. It uses water-based pigment ink and a square core. Kokuyo lists the five-pen set PM-MT100-5S at ¥1,000 (about US$6.30) and single pens at ¥200 (about US$1.30).

On this page13 sections
Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone Marker five-pen pack, 105 × 193 mm, with an enlarged pen whose tip is split into two tones
The five-pen pack at 1 mm = 1 px; the enlarged pen is simplified and not to scale. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Product facts

Product
Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone Color Marker, water-based pigment ink, square core, 5-pen set (PM-MT100-5S)
Brand
Kokuyo
Brand origin
Japan
Made in
Japan*
Material
Plastic body; water-based pigment ink; square core tip
Price range
$under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
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Notes on these facts
  • Made by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.. Made in Japan: Kokuyo's US online store lists the country of origin as Japan. Kokuyo's Japanese product page doesn't state one. Source. Price: example listing.
  • How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
  • 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

  • Each pen holds two related tones of one color family; Kokuyo says the similar inks keep two-color marking looking tidy.
  • Kokuyo's Japanese list prices are ¥1,000 (about US$6.30) for the five-pen set PM-MT100-5S and ¥200 (about US$1.30) per single pen.
  • The set's outer bag is 105 × 193 mm; Kokuyo's US store lists the five hues as blue, green, pink, purple and yellow.
  • The ink is water-based pigment; Kokuyo's US store says to close the cap tightly so the tip doesn't dry out.
  • Kokuyo's two sites disagree on the recycled share of the inner tail plug: 10% or more in Japan, 100% on its US store.

What is the Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone Marker?

It is a highlighter with two shades of one color on a single tip, made so you can mark by importance with one pen. KOKUYO, the Japanese stationery maker, sells it in its Mark+ series as the “2-Tone Color Marker” with water-based pigment ink and a square core.

Kokuyo’s Japanese catalog sells the pens one at a time and as a five-pen set, PM-MT100-5S. Kokuyo’s US online store carries the set too.

Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone specs

Spec Value
Brand KOKUYO
Model PM-MT100-5S (set); singles PM-MT100 plus B, G, P, V or Y
Ink Water-based pigment
Tip Square core, two tones
Set 5 pens: blue, green, pink, purple, yellow
Outer bag 105 × 193 mm (4.1 × 7.6 in)
Japan list price Set ¥1,000 (about US$6.30); single ¥200 (about US$1.30); before tax
JAN code 4901480353975 (set)
Made in Japan (Kokuyo US store)

We could not find a published barrel length, weight or line width on Kokuyo’s pages, so we list none.

How do the two tones work?

You turn the pen in your fingers to pick the stronger or the softer tone. Kokuyo says the two inks are close in color, so even when you use both the marking looks tidy, and that you can lay the eye-catching tone over important text and the subdued tone over the rest.

Kokuyo also says it chose an ink color that doesn’t strain the eyes, and that one pen replaces two, so a pencil case stays slim.

Five Mark+ 2-Tone pens, each with a tip and band split into two tones of blue, green, pink, purple or yellow
The five hues in the set, two tones each (tints representative). Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Which colors come in the set?

Five hues: blue, green, pink, purple and yellow. That is Kokuyo’s US store list. Yoseka sells the pens singly as ten variants, each pairing a hue with either a lighter tone of itself or gray: blue, green, pink, purple and yellow, each with “light” and “gray” partners.

Which partner sits in the five-pen set we couldn’t confirm, so check the pack before buying a specific pairing.

How much does it cost?

In Japan Kokuyo lists ¥1,000 (about US$6.30) for the set and ¥200 (about US$1.30) per pen, before tax. Those are Kokuyo’s own prices from its English product page, read November 1, 2026.

Yoseka listed single pens at US$2.50 and the five-pen set at US$11.00 on the same day, and Kokuyo’s US store listed the set at US$14.50. Per pen that is US$2.20 to US$2.90, in our $ band.

Why do Kokuyo’s recycled-plastic figures differ?

Kokuyo’s Japanese page says the inner tail plug is at least 10% recycled polypropylene, while its US store says 100%. Both pages are Kokuyo’s; neither explains the gap, which may be a different batch or a different reading of the same line.

If recycled content matters to you, ask Kokuyo before relying on either number.

How does it compare with a single-tone highlighter?

It trades a wider palette for a built-in ranking. A one-tone highlighter such as the Zebra Mildliner gives you one color per end; here each pen gives two related tones of one hue.

Pen Tones per pen Ink
Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone Two, one hue family Water-based pigment
Zebra Mildliner Two ends: 4.0 mm chisel and 1.0–1.4 mm bullet Water-based pigment

The Mildliner figures come from Zebra Japan, as quoted in our Mildliner guide. Kokuyo publishes no tip sizes for the Mark+ pens.

Who is the Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone Marker for?

It suits students and note-takers who like to rank what they mark. Kokuyo describes marking eye-catching and subdued tones by importance, which fits study notes and textbooks. Compare it with the single-tone Zebra Mildliner if you prefer pastel pairs, or see our best Japanese highlighters.

What are the downsides?

The pens’ size and line width aren’t published, and the pairs are limited to related shades. You can’t mix, say, yellow with pink in one pen. Water-based ink also means you should check for bleed on thin paper; our list of highlighters that don’t bleed shows which we’ve verified.

Kokuyo’s US store also warns that the cap must be closed tightly or the tip dries.

Where is it made?

Kokuyo’s US online store lists Japan as the country of origin. Kokuyo’s Japanese page doesn’t state one. For the company’s background, see KOKUYO’s history.

Frequently asked questions

What is a two-tone highlighter?

It is a highlighter whose tip carries two shades, here two tones of one hue. Kokuyo says you mark with the stronger tone for important text and the softer one for the rest.

What ink does the Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone use?

Kokuyo lists water-based pigment ink and a square core. Its US store adds that the cap should be closed tightly so the tip doesn't dry out.

How many pens are in the Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone set?

Five, one each in blue, green, pink, purple and yellow, per Kokuyo's US store. Kokuyo's Japanese catalog sells the same pens singly under PM-MT100 plus a color letter.

How much is the Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone marker?

Kokuyo lists ¥1,000 (about US$6.30) for the set and ¥200 (about US$1.30) per pen, before tax, in Japan. In the US it falls in our $ band, under $5 per pen.

Does Kokuyo make other Mark+ markers?

Yes. Kokuyo's US store also lists a Mark+ 2 Way marker, set PM-MT200-5S. We haven't read its specifications, so this guide covers only the 2-Tone pens.

Where is the Kokuyo Mark+ 2-Tone made?

Kokuyo's US store lists Japan as the country of origin. Kokuyo's Japanese product page doesn't give one.

Will the Mark+ 2-Tone bleed through paper?

We haven't tested it. The Journal Shop says the water-based pigment ink won't bleed through most papers, which is a seller's claim; thin paper such as Tomoe River is the likeliest place to check.

Sources (6)

  1. KOKUYO (English): Mark+ 2-Tone Color Marker, Water-Based Pigment Ink, Square core 5-piece set (PM-MT100-5S, order code 65522813, JAN 4901480353975, bag 105 × 193 mm, ¥1,000 and singles ¥200 before tax, inner tail plug recycled PP 10% or more; read November 1, 2026)
  2. KOKUYO STORE (US): Mark+ 2 Tone Marker set of 5, Playful Colors, PM-MT100-5S (five colors, bag 105 × 193 mm, recycled PP 100% in the inner tail plug, country of origin Japan; read November 1, 2026)
  3. Yoseka Stationery: Kokuyo Mark+ Two Tone Highlighter (ten pen variants; read November 1, 2026)
  4. Yoseka Stationery: Kokuyo Mark+ Two Tone Highlighter, 5 Color Set (read November 1, 2026)
  5. The Journal Shop: Kokuyo Mark+ Two Tone Colour Marker, set of 5 (seller description of the dual tip and ink; read November 1, 2026)
  6. KOKUYO STORE (US): Mark+ 2 Way Marker set of 5, PM-MT200-5S

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