Written by: Jin Fujisaki / Published: 2026-02-24
Released in 1996, the pastel-colored ballpoint pen "Hybrid Milky" (commonly known as the "Milky Pen") sparked a social phenomenon among middle and high school girls of the era. Many readers likely devoted their youth to this magical pen that could write crisply even on black paper or photographs.
Now, that legendary ink has returned in the Reiwa era in a new form: a brush pen. Enter Pentel's "Milky Brush." Retaining all the charm of the original pastel colors, this product combines that nostalgic appeal with Pentel's world-renowned "nylon brush tip" technology. The result is far more than a mere reissue—it's a genuine art tool perfected for adults.
| Astonishing "Opacity" That Stands Up to Dark Paper
image PR TIMES
The Milky Brush's greatest weapon is its overwhelming "opacity" (the ability to cover the underlying surface). When you apply a typical water-based marker to black or dark-colored paper, the ink color gets swallowed by the darkness of the paper and disappears. With the Milky Brush, however, the ink doesn't sink in at all—even on jet-black drawing paper or kraft paper.
Watching pale, sweet shades like pastel mint green and pastel pink pop vividly against a dark background is exhilarating, no matter how many times you see it. As the ink dries it takes on a matte texture, leaving a thick, warm finish reminiscent of chalk art or acrylic paints.
| Endless Expression in Lettering and Illustration—Only a "Brush" Can Do This
image Pentel
The decisive difference from the original Milky Pen (a ballpoint) is that the tip is a high-quality "brush." Ease up on the pressure and you can draw lines as fine as a strand of hair; press down and you can lay down dynamic, bold strokes. Because you can freely control the variation in line width, trendy brush lettering (cursive art lettering) and calligraphy come out astonishingly beautifully.
Beyond that, you can layer colors before the ink dries to create gradients, or add white ink ("White") for highlights—the potential as an illustration medium is on a completely different level. From decorating planners to adding accents to full-fledged watercolor paintings, the expressive freedom only a "brush" can offer powerfully ignites the user's creativity.
| Turn Smartphone Photos into "Emo" Instax-Style Keepsakes in an Instant
image Pentel
Thanks to the ink's excellent adhesion, another major appeal is being able to write directly on photos and masking tape. Try printing out a casual landscape shot or a snap of you and your friends taken on your smartphone, then use the Milky Brush to draw text or illustrations in the margins.
The moment pastel-colored brush lettering goes on top, an ordinary photo transforms into something nostalgic and "emo"—like a 90s purikura book or an Instax photo. More than just a writing tool, it vividly revives the joy of "decorating" the things around you, along with the memories of those days.
| Summary: That Old Sense of Excitement, for 550 Yen
image Pentel
The lineup comes in 8 colors total, priced at 550 yen (tax included) per color. A complete set of all 8 colors is also available (4,400 yen), perfect as a gift. Just having a single "White" pen on hand dramatically expands the range of expression in your planner, but it has a magical pull that makes you want to combine multiple colors.
Pentel's "Milky Brush" is the ultimate time machine—using cutting-edge brush pen technology to reawaken the "excitement" of the days you once clutched a Milky Pen and exchanged letters with your friends. Grab some black paper and let yourself get lost in this emotional writing experience.
