Pilot Irumiri Color Two-Tone Series: Six stationery picks that change color when you rub them

Introduction

Pilot has a habit of turning a simple writing tool into something genuinely fun, and the Irumiri Color Two-Tone series, launched in October 2022, is a good example. Every item in the line writes or stamps in one color, and when you rub over it with a pen or the included rubber, the color shifts to a second shade. The result is stationery that makes a notebook, planner, or journal look colorful with almost no effort.

The series is surprisingly broad: a ballpoint pen, a marker, memo sets, stamps, tracing templates, and an eraser-shaped rubbing tool. Below is a practical look at each item, what it does well, and a few things worth knowing before you buy.

The Ballpoint Pen

The centerpiece of the series is the two-tone ballpoint pen. It comes in eight color options: Black Gray, Wine Red Gray, Navy Gray, Emerald Mint, Cherry Peach, Grape Lavender, Blue Soda, and Night Sakura. Blue Soda and Night Sakura are limited-quantity editions, so if one of those colors appeals to you, it is worth prioritizing.

The pen uses a 0.4mm tip only, and the body design is genuinely stylish. The back of the barrel shows which two colors the ink transitions between, the cap is semi-transparent with the brand and product name printed in gold, and the rubber grip varies in color by edition. Small rounded bumps under the grip act as a stopper when capping the pen.

In use, the tip is smooth and the ink is vivid, and the color shift when rubbed is clean and attractive. Strong rubbing does not erase the ink, which is reassuring for everyday note-taking.

The Marker

The marker shares the same barrel design as the ballpoint, with the post-rub color printed on the back and a slightly different cap shape with a softer clip. It is offered in five colors, and like the pens, the Blue Soda and Night Sakura editions are limited quantities.

Writing with a marker-type barrel takes a little getting used to if you prefer a conventional pen shape, but the color change is just as clean and it looks very stylish on the page.

The Memo Set

The memo sets combine the fun of the two-tone ink with practical planning layouts. There are six varieties, each bundling a pen and marker with sticker-equipped list sheets in two styles.

Two configurations are available: a set with one ballpoint pen and one marker for 550 yen, and a set with three ballpoint pens plus sticker lists for 935 yen. Both are limited-quantity items. They make it easy to put together wish lists and to-do lists, and they are a genuinely convenient option if you want the full experience in one purchase.

The Stamp

The stamp line offers ten varieties of cute illustrations suited to different uses, and the printed image also changes color when rubbed. One tip learned the hard way: press lightly. Pressing too hard, like a personal seal, is unnecessary and less tidy.

With a little practice you can create simple striped patterns by combining stamped and rubbed areas, which opens up some creative decorating options for journals and cards.

The Template

The templates are tracing plates that let you draw cute illustrations simply by following the cut-outs. Three designs are available at 495 yen each, and like several items in the series, they are limited-quantity releases.

Paired with the two-tone pens, they make it easy to add decorated headings and motifs to a planner even if you do not consider yourself much of an artist.

The Original Rubber

The Original Rubber is a standalone rubbing tool shaped like an eraser, sold in limited quantities in two colors, Lavender and Pink, at 132 yen. You can of course rub with any pen from the series, but having a dedicated tool is handy, especially if you plan to do a lot of color shifting across a whole page.

Things to Know Before Buying

A few practical caveats are worth flagging. Several items in the series, including the Blue Soda and Night Sakura editions, the memo sets, the stamp, the templates, and the rubber, are limited-quantity releases, so popular colors may sell out.

More importantly, the ink changes with temperature rather than friction alone: at around 65 degrees Celsius the color shifts completely. Avoid leaving the pens, or paper you have already written on, in hot places such as a car dashboard in summer. Also note that when the ink runs out, the pen is finished; there is no refill mentioned for the two-tone ink. Finally, the semi-transparent caps can pick up ink marks if you cap and uncap the pen carelessly, so handle them gently.

Buying Advice

If you only want one item, the ballpoint pen is the easiest entry point: it writes smoothly, looks good, and shows off the color-change effect immediately. If you journal or plan regularly, the memo set offers the best overall value since it bundles pen, marker, and list sheets. The stamps and templates are worth adding if you enjoy decorating pages, and the Original Rubber is a cheap, useful companion for any of the above. And double-check the series name when ordering: Irumiri is an existing series with other products, so make sure you are picking the Color Two-Tone items you actually want.

Conclusion

The Irumiri Color Two-Tone series succeeds because it takes a gimmick and executes it well: the color shifts are clean, the ink is smooth and vivid, and the lineup covers pens, markers, planning, and decorating. The limited-edition strategy and the heat sensitivity of the ink are the main drawbacks, but for anyone who likes playful, colorful stationery, this series is easy to recommend.