KOKUYO Shellbro Pen Case: Shell-Shaped, 35 Pens
The KOKUYO Shellbro is a Japanese pen case shaped like a clam shell: compact when zipped, but when you open it the base spreads wide so every pen shows. KOKUYO lists it at W200 × D100 × H55 mm, holding about 35 pens, with a mesh pocket, at ¥2,000 (about US$13) before tax.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- KOKUYO Shellbro Pen Case, Navy × Blue (F-VBF190-2)
- Brand
- KOKUYO
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Not stated*
- Material
- Polyester outer and lining, polyethylene core
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per case
- Colors
Black × Orangeブラック×オレンジ; F-VBF190-1
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.. Country of manufacture not stated: KOKUYO's Japanese product pages for the F-VBF190 don't state a country of production. The Amazon US listing gives Country of Origin: Japan in its seller data, but we don't treat a single marketplace field as confirmed; check the label. Price: example listing.
- Colors: names per KOKUYO Japan, checked October 27, 2026. The four colors on KOKUYO's Japanese Shellbro page (Japanese names in each note; English names as used in this guide). KOKUYO's Japanese site marks Gray × Pink and Purple × Emerald Green as ending when stock runs out. Each tint is the pouch's main fabric, hand-picked from KOKUYO's product photo of that item; the second color in each name isn't tinted separately. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- KOKUYO lists the Shellbro (F-VBF190) at W200 × D100 × H55 mm (7.9 × 3.9 × 2.2 in), holding about 35 pens.
- Its shell structure spreads at the base when opened, so KOKUYO says the contents show at a glance.
- KOKUYO's Japanese list price is ¥2,000 (about US$13) before tax; Amazon US lists it in our $$ band ($5–20).
- It comes in 4 two-tone colors: Black × Orange, Navy × Blue, Gray × Pink and Purple × Emerald Green.
- The outer and lining are polyester over a polyethylene core, per KOKUYO.
What is the KOKUYO Shellbro?
It is a zippered pen case from KOKUYO built like a clam shell: closed it is compact and easy to hold, but opened its base spreads wide so every pen is visible. KOKUYO calls it a large-capacity case in which pens are still easy to find.
Each color pairs two tones, and Amazon’s listing says the contrast-color design helps you find the pen you want. KOKUYO also says the shape fits comfortably in the hand.
KOKUYO Shellbro specs
| Spec | Shellbro pen case (F-VBF190) |
|---|---|
| Outer size | W200 × D100 × H55 mm (7.9 × 3.9 × 2.2 in) |
| Capacity | About 35 pens |
| Mesh pocket for a ruler or sticky notes | |
| Materials | Polyester outer and lining, polyethylene core |
| Colors | Black × Orange, Navy × Blue, Gray × Pink, Purple × Emerald Green |
| List price, Japan | ¥2,000 (about US$13) before tax; Purple × Emerald Green ¥1,800 (about US$11) |
| Barcode (Navy × Blue) | 4901480330693 |
Everything above comes from KOKUYO’s Japanese product pages, read on October 22, 2026. KOKUYO notes that, as a sewn product, the dimensions can vary and that pen capacity depends on the pens.
How does the shell shape work?
Unzip it and the base flexes outward, so the case opens like a shell instead of a narrow slot. KOKUYO says this lets you see the contents at a glance even when the case is full.
Under the polyester there is a polyethylene core, per KOKUYO. Amazon’s listing adds that the case also works for tools, cosmetics or a small first-aid kit.
How many pens does it hold?
KOKUYO says about 35 pens, a large number for a 200 mm case. That is because it is 100 mm deep, twice the depth of a slim case such as the KOKUYO C2.
The mesh pocket keeps a short ruler or sticky notes away from the pens, so they don’t get ink marks.
How does it compare with other KOKUYO and LIHIT LAB cases?
It holds the most of these four, at the cost of being the bulkiest.
| KOKUYO Shellbro | KOKUYO C2 (L) | KOKUYO Neo Critz | LIHIT LAB Teffa Book Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 200 × 100 × 55 mm (7.9 × 3.9 × 2.2 in) | 200 × 50 × 50 mm (7.9 × 2.0 × 2.0 in) | 85 × 50 × 195 mm (3.3 × 2.0 × 7.7 in) | 200 × 120 × 50 mm (7.9 × 4.7 × 2.0 in) |
| Capacity | About 35 pens | About 20 pens | About 14 pens | 12 to 14 pens |
| Opens as | Shell | Tray | Pen stand | Book |
| Price band | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$ |
C2, Neo Critz and Teffa figures come from their guides. See our best pencil cases roundup for more styles.
What colors are there, and which are ending?
Four two-tone colors: Black × Orange, Navy × Blue, Gray × Pink and Purple × Emerald Green. The last digit of the item code is the color, so F-VBF190-2 is Navy × Blue.
KOKUYO’s Japanese site marks Gray × Pink and Purple × Emerald Green as ending when stock runs out, so Black × Orange and Navy × Blue are the safest picks if you may want a replacement.
How much does it cost?
Amazon US lists it in our $$ band ($5–20). KOKUYO’s Japanese list price is ¥2,000 (about US$13) before tax for most colors. JetPens also carries the Shellbro.
Where is the KOKUYO Shellbro made?
KOKUYO doesn’t say on its product pages. The Amazon US listing gives Japan as the country of origin, but a single marketplace field isn’t confirmation, so check the label on the case.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the KOKUYO Shellbro?
KOKUYO lists the outer size as W200 × D100 × H55 mm, about 7.9 × 3.9 × 2.2 in. It notes that sewn products can vary slightly.
How many pens fit in the Shellbro?
About 35, per KOKUYO, which adds that the number depends on the type of pen.
What does Shellbro mean?
The name refers to its shell-shaped structure: KOKUYO says the case closes compactly but its base spreads open like a shell, so the contents show at a glance.
Does the Shellbro have pockets?
Yes, a mesh pocket inside that KOKUYO says holds a ruler or sticky notes, keeping them apart from the pens.
What colors does the Shellbro come in?
Black × Orange (F-VBF190-1), Navy × Blue (-2), Gray × Pink (-3) and Purple × Emerald Green (-4). KOKUYO marks Gray × Pink and Purple × Emerald Green as ending when stock runs out.
How is the Shellbro different from the KOKUYO C2?
The C2 is a slim tube that opens into a tray, 200 × 50 × 50 mm for the L; the Shellbro is twice as deep at 100 mm and spreads open from the base, holding about 35 pens.
Is the KOKUYO Shellbro made in Japan?
KOKUYO's product page doesn't say. The Amazon US listing gives Japan as the country of origin, but check the label.
Sources
- シェルブロ ペンケース 外寸法/W200×D100×H55 ネイビー×ブルー (KOKUYO Japan, read October 22, 2026: F-VBF190-2, ¥2,000 before tax, shell structure, about 35 pens, mesh pocket, polyester outer and lining, polyethylene core, JAN 4901480330693, four colors)
- シェルブロ ペンケース ブラック×オレンジ (KOKUYO Japan: F-VBF190-1, JAN 4901480330686)
- シェルブロ ペンケース グレー×ピンク (KOKUYO Japan: F-VBF190-3, JAN 4901480330709, ending when stock runs out)
- シェルブロ ペンケース パープル×エメラルドグリーン (KOKUYO Japan: F-VBF190-4, JAN 4901480330716, ¥1,800 before tax, ending when stock runs out)
- 大容量なのにペンが探しやすいペンケース＜シェルブロ＞ (KOKUYO series page)
- Amazon US: Kokuyo Shellbro Pen Case, Purple × Emerald Green (F-VBF190-4) (read October 22, 2026: 7.9 × 3.9 × 2.2 in, about 35 pens, mesh pocket, country of origin Japan)
- JetPens: KOKUYO Shellbro Pen Cases (category)