Written by: Jin Fujisaki / Published: 2026-02-24
Pilot's "FrixIon" is beloved around the world as a magical ballpoint pen whose ink turns transparent (disappears) when rubbed with the eraser on the back of the pen, thanks to the heat generated by friction. But "Color two color," released by ILMILY—a stationery brand also produced by Pilot—has taken that very same technology in an entirely different direction.
Astonishingly, this pen doesn't make ink "disappear" when rubbed. Instead, applying frictional heat (around 65°C) triggers a chemical change in the ink, producing a remarkable trick: "the ink shifts from a deep color to a paler one, transforming into a different shade." For example, rub a line written in "Black" and it smoothly transitions to a beautiful "Gray." A line drawn in "Cherry" turns into a soft "Peach" when rubbed. With two colors coexisting inside a single pen, it feels almost like a spy's secret gadget.
| Beautifully Preserving the "Accomplishments" on Your To-Do Lists and Wishlists
image PILOT
This "color-changing" function shows its true power in planner and notebook task management. With a regular Frixion pen, writing a to-do list and then erasing the completed items also wipes away the very evidence of "how hard you worked," leaving nothing to look back on later.
With Color two color, however, you can rub a finished task to "fade its color into a lighter shade." Completed tasks become visually less prominent, yet they remain firmly on the page as proof of accomplishment. Even with a "wishlist" of things you want to do, you can shift only the dreams that have come true into a different color—an emotionally resonant, positive way to use the pen that is its greatest charm.
| A Ballpoint-and-Marker Duo That Transforms Your Illustrations
image PILOT
The lineup comes in two types: a "ballpoint pen" with an ultra-fine 0.4mm tip, and a "marker" suited for drawing lines and filling in color. Using these pens as art tools dramatically expands the range of what you can express.
For instance, draw lots of flowers in cherry, then rub just a few of them to transform them into peach. Just like that, you've created a tasteful, two-tone illustration with rich light-and-dark contrast—using only a single pen. Whether you're decorating a planner or making a message card, there's no more reliable companion for those moments when you want to add a touch of flair without the hassle of swapping between multiple pens.
| Stepping Even Deeper into the World of "Muted Colors"
image PILOT
The thoughtful color selection is another hallmark of ILMILY. From highly practical dark tones like Black/Gray and Navy/Gray to dreamy, kawaii tones like Emerald/Mint and Grape/Lavender, the range is filled with beautifully balanced muted colors.
Furthermore, at the end of 2024, new shades were added: the effortlessly chic "Olive/Mimosa" and "Sepia/Nemophila," along with "Night/Sakura," which was promoted from a limited-edition color to a regular member of the lineup. Every one of them offers a wide color shift, making for an exciting collection that may well have you exclaiming "Whoa!" each time you rub a line.
| Summary: Handwriting Entertainment for Just a Few Hundred Yen
image Color Me Shop
The ballpoint pen is priced at 275 yen (tax included) and the marker at 165 yen (tax included). Despite packing such a special ink mechanism, the pricing is refreshingly reasonable—barely different from that of an ordinary colored pen.
The "Pilot ILMILY Color Two Color" isn't just a tool for writing letters—it's a new kind of entertainment stationery, where the very process of "rubbing to change the color" after writing becomes a joy in itself. Be sure to slip one of these magical pens into your own pencil case, and let it lift your mood just a little every time you open your planner.
