--- title: "Pentel Energel Kohare: Soft-Color Gel Pens, Limited Run" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-energel-kohare/" description: "Pentel's limited Energel Kohare series brings the first soft-color Energel inks in a 0.5 mm knock pen. Six colors, 3-pen sets, size, prices and what sold out." category: "Pens" type: "Gel ink ballpoint pen" published: 2026-10-31 updated: 2026-10-31 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 3 products: - name: "Pentel Energel Kohare limited edition 0.5 mm gel pen (BLN75KH)" brand: "Pentel" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Matte-finish body in the ink's soft color; quick-drying gel ink (Pentel)" price_band: "$ (under $5 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: "Energel Kohare BLN75KH, 0.5 mm" gtin: "4902506432520" url: "https://yosekastationery.com/products/pentel-energel-kohare-0-5mm-limited-edition" --- # Pentel Energel Kohare: Soft-Color Gel Pens, Limited Run > Pentel's Energel Kohare is a limited-edition series of 0.5 mm retractable gel pens with the first soft-color inks in the Energel line, made to pair with black. Pentel launched it on March 6, 2026 in six colors, each pen with a matte body matching its ink, plus three-pen sets that include a black. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-energel-kohare/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-31 - Updated: 2026-10-31 ![A Pentel Energel Kohare drawn to scale at 147 mm in a soft matte color, with the seven listed colors as dots](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/pentel-energel-kohare-illustration-16x9.png?v=4b2edc27) *The Kohare at about 147 mm (1 mm = 5.95 px) in one of its soft colors; the dots show all seven (tints representative).* Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times. 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) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pentel Energel Kohare limited edition 0.5 mm gel pen (BLN75KH) | Pentel (by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand) | Japan | Not stated | Matte-finish body in the ink's soft color; quick-drying gel ink (Pentel) | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Pentel Energel Kohare limited edition 0.5 mm gel pen (BLN75KH)): Not stated. Pentel's February 19, 2026 release and Yoseka's listing don't state a country of manufacture. ### Pentel Energel Kohare limited edition 0.5 mm gel pen (BLN75KH) colors - Ink colors (6 standard, 0 special edition): Peach Droplet Red; Gentle Breeze Blue; Wind Poem Green; Sunny Orange; Flower Pink; Hydrangea Purple. - Per Yoseka Stationery (https://yosekastationery.com/products/pentel-energel-kohare-0-5mm-limited-edition), checked 2026-10-31. Ink color names as Yoseka translates them from Pentel's names; swatches are representative body tints sampled from Yoseka's product photos of the pens (matte pastel barrels that match the inks). Shops stock different colors; check the listing. ## Key takeaways - Pentel announced the Kohare series on February 19, 2026 for release on March 6, 2026 at ¥363 (about US$2.30) per pen and ¥1,089 (about US$6.90) for a three-pen set. - It is the first soft-color ink in Energel, aimed at annotations, planner headings and accents beside black. - Yoseka lists a body of about 16 × 147 × 11 mm, knock type, in six soft colors plus a black used in the sets. - Pentel says Energel ink has three times the lubricant of its earlier gel ink at 0.5 and 0.7 mm, for a smooth, fast-drying line. - Yoseka listed it on March 25, 2026 in our $ band; all colors were sold out on October 31, 2026. ## What is the Pentel Energel Kohare? **It is a limited run of Energel pens in soft, calm colors, made to be used with black rather than instead of it.** Pentel's February 19, 2026 release calls the inks the first soft colors in the Energel line, in a series that celebrates the brand's 25th year. The name plays on "hare", a festive day, and "ke", an ordinary day. Pentel says the aim is to make the usual days feel a little special. It joins our [Pentel Energel guide](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-energel/), which covers the standard line. ## Energel Kohare specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Maker | Pentel (ASTRUM Corporation) | | Point | 0.5 mm | | Mechanism | Retractable, knock type | | Size | About 16 × 147 × 11 mm (Yoseka) | | Body | Matte, in the ink's soft color (Pentel) | | Colors | 6 singles; 3-pen sets with a black | | Japan price | ¥363 (about US$2.30) each; ¥1,089 (about US$6.90) per set | | Release | March 6, 2026 (Pentel) | ![The seven ink names in English as Yoseka lists them: peach droplet red, gentle breeze blue, wind poem green, sunny orange, flower pink, hydrangea purple and a black used in the sets](https://stationerytimes.com/images/pentel-energel-kohare-names.svg?v=5ee48f92) *The English names Yoseka gives Pentel's inks; no colors are shown. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.* ## What are the colors and the sets? **Six soft colors: peach droplet red, gentle breeze blue, wind poem green, sunny orange, flower pink and hydrangea purple.** These are Yoseka's English names for Pentel's Japanese ink names, which evoke natural beauty and warmth. Each pen's matte body matches its ink. Pentel also sold three three-pen sets, each with two soft colors and a black. Pentel gives the set black its own body design; Yoseka's black option, Star Shadow Black, is probably that pen, though we couldn't confirm it. Yoseka names the sets Bright, Refreshing and Blooming, but we couldn't confirm which colors go in which. ## How does the ink write? **Pentel's text says it keeps standard Energel performance: smooth, quick-drying, with a vivid line.** Energel ink uses three times the lubricant of Pentel's older gel ink, in 0.5 and 0.7 mm, which lowers viscosity so writing feels lighter. Pentel says the ink also soaks quickly into the paper fibers, so it dries fast and resists smearing. The soft colors are meant to stay legible despite being gentle. We haven't tested any of it. ## How does it differ from the regular Energel colors? **The regular line is brighter and darker; the Kohare is the first to go soft.** Impress Watch reported on October 10, 2023 that Pentel added nine colors to the permanent Energel line, among them burgundy, forest green, sepia and three black-based colors, making twelve with black, red and blue. Those are darker, ink-like shades and cost ¥253 (about US$1.60) per pen at the time. The Kohare's pastel inks fill the gap on the light side, though they cost more at ¥363 (about US$2.30). ## Is it good for planners? **In our view, yes for headings and annotations, and less so as your only pen.** Pentel pitches it for notes in documents and headings in a diary, beside black. The soft tint won't overpower a page. Because the pens are limited, you may not find a refill later. For other colored gel options see our [best gel pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-gel-pens/) and the [Energel Infree](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-energel-infree/) guide. ## Is it still available? **Probably only through leftover stock.** Pentel calls it limited, with no end date given. Yoseka's color options were all sold out on October 31, 2026, and several of its stock codes carry a discontinued tag. Check Japanese stationery shops that carry Pentel if you want one, and expect to pay more than the list price. ## Where is it made, and what does it cost? **Neither Pentel's release nor Yoseka's listing states it.** Pentel is a Japanese brand. Pentel's list prices were ¥363 (about US$2.30) per pen and ¥1,089 (about US$6.90) for a set, with tax. Yoseka listed a single pen in our $ band (under $5) on March 25, 2026. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Kohare mean? Pentel says the name plays on the Japanese words for festive days and ordinary days; it wishes that a normal day will feel a little special. ### How many Kohare colors are there? Six soft colors per Yoseka: peach droplet red, gentle breeze blue, wind poem green, sunny orange, flower pink and hydrangea purple, plus a black in the sets. ### How big is the Energel Kohare? Yoseka lists about 16 × 147 × 11 mm, a retractable pen. Pentel's release gives no size. ### Is the Energel Kohare still available? It is limited, and Yoseka had every color sold out on October 31, 2026. Pentel's release says limited, without an end date. ### Do the Kohare pens use normal Energel refills? We couldn't confirm it. Pentel's release doesn't name a refill, so check the pack before buying one. ### What did the Kohare pens cost in Japan? ¥363 (about US$2.30) per pen and ¥1,089 (about US$6.90) for a three-pen set, per Pentel's release. ### Which sets does Pentel sell? Three sets, each of two soft colors plus a black; Yoseka names them Bright, Refreshing and Blooming. We couldn't confirm which colors are in each. ## Sources - [Pentel (Japanese): Energel limited Kohare series, press release February 19, 2026 (first soft-color Energel inks, March 6, 2026 release, matte bodies, three-pen sets, ¥363 and ¥1,089; reposted by Koubo from PR TIMES; read October 31, 2026)](https://koubo.jp/press-release/prtimes/c2857_r305) - [Yoseka Stationery: Pentel Energel Kohare 0.5 mm limited edition (six colors, 16 × 147 × 11 mm, knock type, three sets, listed March 25, 2026; read October 31, 2026)](https://yosekastationery.com/products/pentel-energel-kohare-0-5mm-limited-edition) - [Impress Watch (Japanese): Pentel adds nine standard Energel colors, October 10, 2023 (Energel launched 2001, quick-dry gel ink, ¥253 per pen)](https://www.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1536985.html)