Written by: Jin Fujisaki / Published: 2026-02-23
When it comes to colored ballpoint pens, the conventional wisdom has always been that they're "made for white paper." Write on black or dark-colored paper and the ink simply gets swallowed up by the dark background. But Pentel's "MATTEHOP" pen has spectacularly overturned that assumption.
By using a far greater quantity of larger pigment particles than ordinary pigment ballpoints, MATTEHOP achieves remarkable opacity that completely conceals the underlying color. Write yellow text on jet-black paper and there's zero show-through — the color pops with bold, vivid clarity. This combination of "paint-like deep, vibrant color" and a "matte, non-glossy finish" sent shockwaves through the stationery world, earning the pen the grand prize at the Stationery Shop Awards 2024.
| The "Paint-Like" Feel Pouring Out of a Bold 1.0mm Tip
image Pentel
While most modern ballpoints favor ultra-fine tips like 0.3mm or 0.4mm, MATTEHOP deliberately goes the other way with a chunky 1.0mm ball. There's a clear reason for that choice.
As the tip glides across the paper, ink gushes out generously, and once it dries, it leaves a slightly raised, plump layer on the page. That texture gives the writing a pop, one-of-a-kind presence — less like ink and more like acrylic paint or a stuck-on sticker. It's not the right pen for cramming tiny notes into a notebook, but when it comes to decorating titles or filling in illustrations, the "unstoppable" feeling it delivers is unlike any other pen out there.
| Versatile Enough for Photos and Washi Tape
image Pentel
MATTEHOP's magic isn't limited to paper. Because the ink adheres so firmly, you can write or draw directly on slick surfaces like photographs, masking tape, and even paper snack boxes.
Print out a photo from your phone, then doodle on the margins or right over the subject with MATTEHOP. That alone is enough to give you a charmingly retro, American-pop decoration that feels like a 90s purikura sticker book. The way Pentel has redefined the ballpoint pen — not as "just an office supply" but as "an art tool to play with" — is genuinely impressive.
| The Temptation of the "21-Color Complete Set" in a Cookie-Tin-Style Case
image Pentel
The color lineup is hugely appealing as well. On top of the vivid "Original Colors" and pastel-toned "Sweet Colors," the range now extends to a whopping 21 shades.
The crown jewel for fans is the "21-Color Complete Set," packaged in a stylish steel case that looks like a cookie tin. Just gazing at the row of colorful pens is exciting in itself — and the case is essentially a blank canvas, ready to be decorated with MATTEHOP however you like. Collecting the pens one by one is fun too, but that overwhelming rush of joy when you first pop open the lid is a privilege reserved for complete-set buyers.
| Final Thoughts: "Creative Freedom" for Just Around 170 Yen Per Pen
image Ten no Shigoto Dougu-ten
A single-color pen is priced at 176 yen including tax (manufacturer's suggested retail price). Because the ink flows so generously, drying does take a little time — but somehow even that wait feels endearing, like watching paint dry on a canvas.
The Pentel MATTEHOP is a magic wand that can instantly transform your planner or photo album into a vivid work of art. Don't stop at white paper — pair it with dark-colored notebooks and washi tape, and experience the joy of these "paintable stickers" for yourself.
