Best New Stationery of the Month: Pens, Notebooks, and Accessories Worth a Look

Introduction

Every month brings a fresh wave of stationery releases, and this batch is one of the more charming ones we have seen in a while. There are erasable gel pens in stylish colors, a pocket fountain pen line made from one-of-a-kind polished acrylic, metal dip pen nibs for ink experimenters, Studio Ghibli notebooks, and even plushies to finish things off.

Whether you are a student, a planner enthusiast, a fountain pen collector, or just someone who likes pretty things on a desk, there is something here worth a closer look. Here is our rundown of the standout releases and who each one is really for.

Pilot FriXion Waai Gel Pens

Pilot’s new FriXion Waai gel pens pair off-white pen bodies with a stylish lineup of ink colors, and the result is one of the most attractive erasable pen designs around. FriXion ink disappears when exposed to heat from the built-in eraser, which makes these pens great for students, planners, and artists who like to revise freely.

The one trade-off to remember: FriXion ink turns invisible when exposed to any heat, so avoid leaving anything written with these pens in a hot car. The Waai gel pens come in eight colors available separately or as a set, with Cheek Pink and Chilly Blue being especially popular picks.

Kaweco Art Sport Fountain Pens

The Kaweco Sport is a beloved pocket pen, usually made from high-quality plastic, metal, or carbon fiber. The Art Sport Fountain Pens take a different route: each one is made from polished acrylic, which means no two pens look exactly alike. They also include built-in clips, a welcome touch for a pen designed to travel in a pocket.

For collectors who already own several Sport variations, the Art Sport is an easy one to justify. Each pen has its own acrylic pattern, so you are choosing a piece rather than just a model.

Kakimori Dip Pen Nibs and Nib Holders

Kakimori is best known for its dip pen nibs and nib holders, and both are worth a look if you enjoy testing inks. The nib holders feature double rubber rings that accommodate smaller round nibs as well as larger standard-size nibs.

For anyone who has avoided glass dip pens because of their fragility, Kakimori’s metal nibs are an interesting alternative. They have a cylindrical shape with grooves that hold a generous amount of ink, and they can produce varying line widths. In regular writing they feel similar to glass pens, with some feedback. Holding the nib lower increases the surface area in contact with the paper, putting down more ink for a smoother feel.

One care note worth taking seriously: the nibs have protective coatings and may need several uses to reach optimal ink flow, and to prevent rusting you should remove, clean, and dry the nibs after each use.

Nagasawa Pen Style Kobe Inks

Newly released fountain pen inks from Nagasawa join the lineup, with the Pen Style Kobe colors honoring the beauty of Kobe, Japan. These inks are a natural pairing for a new dip nib or fountain pen, especially if you like inks with a sense of place and story behind them.

Studio Ghibli B6 Notebooks

The Studio Ghibli stationery lineup keeps growing, and these B6 notebooks are among the most charming entries yet. They feature delightful covers, graph sheet styles, and motifs from the corresponding movies printed in the bottom left corners of the inside pages.

The Totoro and Kiki notebooks are especially tempting, even for people who absolutely do not need another notebook. Fans of Howl’s Moving Castle will find plenty to love too, and the cover colors across the range are genuinely appealing.

Ohto Ceramic Letter Openers

When most people picture a letter opener, they imagine a large and slightly intimidating knife. The Ohto ceramic letter openers are compact and unobtrusive by comparison. They work for both left- and right-handed users and cut cleanly in either direction: insert a corner of the envelope into the groove and slide the opener along the edge.

Because the ceramic blade sits nestled inside the holder, there is little risk of accidentally cutting your fingers, which makes this a much friendlier desk tool than the traditional blade style.

Kanmido Marker Tapes

Kanmido’s translucent Marker Tapes work like correction tapes, but instead of covering up text, they highlight it. The study tape version is especially useful for students memorizing vocabulary: it comes with an A7 red sheet that, when placed over the blue tape, hides the text underneath for self-testing.

The tapes are removable and repositionable, though they can damage or leave residue on some papers. For that reason they are best avoided on borrowed books.

King Jim Film Stickers

If you want to add pops of color and foil accents to your journal pages, King Jim’s film stickers are a fun option. They are designed to resemble eyeshadow and blush palettes, and they come in several different shapes and sizes.

Simply peel a sticker from the pack, remove the backing, and decorate. They combine nicely with other plastic or washi tapes for layered effects, which makes them a versatile addition to any journaling kit.

Rickshaw Solo Pen Sleeves

Rickshaw’s Solo Pen Sleeves return in a new batch of prints, including the ever-popular Yuki Cat. Whether you store the sleeve in a pen case or a Rickshaw Coozy Case, your pen stays safe, tucked away in soft Royal Plush lining.

These are a simple, effective way to protect your most precious writing tools, and the print options make them easy to match your personal style.

San-X Plushies and Key Chains

Rounding out the month are San-X plushies and key chains to adorn your bag, backpack, or desk. Choose from Rilakkuma, Sumikkogurashi, and other beloved characters, with Tokage and Ebi-fry among the fan favorites. If you want to go all in on the theme, there are equally adorable matching San-X pens and pencils to complete the setup.

Buying Advice

With this many good options, the easiest way to choose is by how you actually use stationery. Students and planner users get the most from the FriXion Waai gel pens and Kanmido Marker Tapes, since both are built around revising and self-testing. Fountain pen fans should look at the Kaweco Art Sport for a one-of-a-kind pocket pen, and pair it with Kakimori nibs and Nagasawa Kobe inks for ink-testing sessions.

For desk upgrades and gifts, the Ohto letter opener, King Jim film stickers, Rickshaw pen sleeves, and San-X plushies are low-risk, high-charm picks. And if a Ghibli notebook speaks to you, no further justification is required.

Conclusion

This month’s releases cover the full range of stationery joy: practical tools that solve real problems, collectible pens with unique looks, and plenty of charming extras. Pick the ones that match your daily writing habits, and enjoy the small upgrade they bring to your desk.