The Best Stationery of 2025: Our Favorite Pens, Pencils, Notebooks, and More

Introduction

Every year brings thousands of new stationery releases, and 2025 was no exception. After going through everything that launched over the past twelve months, a clear set of favorites emerged: pens with genuinely satisfying click mechanisms, notebooks with paper that welcomes any writing tool, clever accessories that solve problems you didn’t know you had, and a delightful run of alien-themed goods that made the year feel a little more fun.

This roundup collects the standouts across every major category, from everyday writers to niche fountain pen treats. Whether you are rebuilding your desk setup or hunting for one perfect gift, there is something here worth a closer look.

The Best of the Best

Uni-ball ZENTO Gel Pens

Few pens generated as much buzz this year as the Uni-ball ZENTO Gel Pens. The Flow model pairs the same super smooth, pigmented ink that made the Signature so sought after with a cool metal grip, making it an easy entry point into the lineup. The click mechanism alone is worth the price of admission: one snap and you are ready to write, with a feel that is oddly addictive.

Tombow Graph Grip Mechanical Pencil

The latest addition to the Tombow MONO lineup, the Graph Grip Tune is sleek and packed with the features the series is known for: a lockable shaker mechanism, a pen clip push button, and a replaceable twist eraser. It is a refined daily writer for anyone who takes their pencil seriously.

Kyupodo Todai and Dream Diary Notebooks

The best notebooks of the year come from Kyupodo, offered in two flavors: the Todai in A5 slim and the Dream Diary in standard A5. Both feature charming covers, and the LIFE L paper inside handles all kinds of writing tools, including fountain pens, without complaint.

KOKUYO Flat Pen Case

The KOKUYO Pan Flat Pen Case opens like a book, giving you instant access to everything inside. Several compartments hold pens, sticky notes, and more, while a strap accepts a charm or thin washi tape and a zipper pocket keeps small items like paper clips and erasers contained.

The Underdog Award

Shachihata Jikaeru Pen

This one never got the hype it deserved, and it deserves a bigger spotlight. Apply a layer of its invisible ink to any washi tape, let it dry, and like magic you can write on the washi tape surface with gel, rollerball, and fountain pens. It is a stunning, useful, genuinely novel product that earned its place as the year’s biggest surprise.

The Year of the Alien Award

Technically 2025 was the Year of the Snake, but the alien-themed releases stole the show.

Sailor Area 51 Pro Gear Fountain Pen

Sailor’s Area 51 Pro Gear pairs a classic green body with black trim, and it comes with themed stickers for decorating your notebook or water bottle. A playful theme wrapped around a serious writer.

Kutsuwa UFO Cows Hancoco Deco Layer Stamp

One of the most popular stamps of the year includes two pre-inked stamps that create a satisfying layered design. A notch in the lid lines up the first stamp, then you swap it out and apply the second. It even fits 15 millimeter wide washi tape, and the serrated edges give clean cuts.

Sun-Star UFO Pencil Case

The tractor beam design on this viral pencil case made it an instant favorite, and it is easy to see why. Fair warning: it is now discontinued, so grab one while you still can.

Forever in Our Hearts Award

Diamine Forever Inks

Diamine’s Forever Inks earn their name: they are permanent and waterproof once dry, a claim confirmed by dunking swatches of every color in a water bath. They are safe for fountain pens, though a regular cleaning regimen is wise to avoid clogging.

Fountain Pens to Pair With Them

With so many beautiful fountain pens launching this year, picking just one companion is tough. A personal favorite is the Pilot Kakuno Madoromi, while the Monteverde Ritma remains a reliable bestseller. Either makes a natural partner for the Forever Inks.

Stationery for Ants Award

Mini stationery had a strong year, and these tiny tools punch well above their size.

Clarto Lavie Mini Glass Pen

The Clarto Lavie Mini Glass Pen makes the tiniest ink swatches possible. It comes in two lengths and two designs, wave and stripe, and it is as charming on the desk as it is in hand.

Penco Perfection Bullet Ballpoint Pen

This retro-inspired bullet pen has a cap that snaps onto the back, extending it to a comfortable length in the hand. Classic looks with practical everyday ergonomics.

Anterique Stationers Mini Pen

For those who prefer retractable pens, the Anterique Stationers Mini Pen is prefilled with a low viscosity ballpoint ink that writes smoothly and vibrantly.

Made for Each Other Award

Nouto Ink Swatch Cards and Kobayashi Bechorism Inks

Some pairings are simply destined. The Nouto Ink Swatch Cards, recognized with the Collector’s Choice Award at Tokyo Stationery Week, feature resistive designs that shine brightest with fountain pen inks. Paired with Kobayashi Bechorism inks, which offer beautiful shading and dual shading effects, they form an unstoppable combination. Standout colors include Bechorism 4, a really soft pink, and 8, with a super unique creamy walnut tone.

Keeping It Together Award

Penco Clampy Clip

The plastic Penco Clampy Clip won everyone over with its retro colors, and the glow in the dark version was the most popular of the bunch. Simple, cheerful, and useful.

Sun-Star Corner Clip

Shaped like Mount Fuji, the Sun-Star Corner Clip has a clear top that turns into a snowy mountaintop when white notebook paper shows through. A small detail that makes it endlessly charming.

Kanmido Mini Clip

The Kanmido Mini Clip comes with film sticky notes that are perfect for annotating books or highlighting important dates in planners. Flip it around when you are not clipping and it becomes a stand for important reminders.

Sun-Star Terasuno

A shout-out for the night owl readers: the Sun-Star Terasuno features a cute cloud design and warm tone lights, making late-night reading sessions a little cozier.

Buying Advice

With a list this varied, start with the problem you actually want to solve. Writers who use fountain pens should look first at the Kyupodo notebooks, Diamine Forever Inks, and the Nouto swatch cards, which all reward experimentation. Everyday note takers get the most immediate value from the ZENTO gel pens, the Tombow Graph Grip, and the KOKUYO Flat Pen Case. Craft and journaling fans should not sleep on the Shachihata Jikaeru Pen, the UFO Cows stamp, or the clip collection. And if a product is discontinued, like the Sun-Star UFO Pencil Case, act quickly rather than waiting for a restock that may never come.

Conclusion

2025 delivered across every corner of the stationery world: innovative ink chemistry, charming themes, clever clips, and miniature tools with real utility. Pick the category that matches how you actually write, and any of these picks will feel like a small upgrade to your daily routine.