Zebra BLEN 2+S Latte Color Review: A Charming Limited-Edition Multi-Function Pen

Introduction

Zebra has a long history in Japanese stationery. Founded in 1897 as the Ishikawa Pen Tip Manufacturing Works and renamed Zebra Co., Ltd. in 1963, the Tokyo-based company went on to release Japan’s first oil-based marker in the Hi-Macky, the original Sharbo multi-function pen in 1977, and the BLEN series in 2018. That heritage shows in the newest addition to the lineup: the limited-edition BLEN 2+S Latte Color, launched in January 2023 at a price of 550 yen including tax.

The Latte series gives Zebra’s BLEN multi-function pens a soft, muted color palette inspired by café drinks, and it applies the same treatment to the three-color BLEN 3C ballpoint. Here is how the multi-function version performs in day-to-day use, and why the simpler ballpoint may be the smarter pick for some buyers.

First Impressions: The Latte Color Line

The BLEN 2+S Latte Color ships without retail packaging, sold bare in stores, and comes in four limited colorways: Blueberry Latte, Banana Latte, Strawberry Latte, and Caramel Latte. The caramel version reviewed here lives up to the appetizing naming, with a muted, trendy tone that photographs beautifully.

The design pedigree is real. The BLEN series was supervised by Sato of the design office Nendo and won a Good Design Award in 2019, and the pen’s simple, clean silhouette still looks current. At 550 yen for a multi-function pen that includes a 0.5mm black ballpoint, a 0.5mm red ballpoint, and a mechanical pencil, the value proposition is immediately appealing. The three-color BLEN 3C ballpoint sells for even less at 440 yen.

The barrel tapers into an oval upper section where the maker and product names are printed. The grip is rubber, the cone is resin with a silver coating, and the clip is a fairly soft resin piece. All the slide-knock components are rubber as well, so they press in smoothly and feel comfortable under the fingers. The mechanical pencil’s knock button is deliberately enlarged to make it easier to catch with a finger, one of several small usability touches worth praising.

The BLEN System and Writing Performance

The core feature of the BLEN series is its low-vibration writing system. The direct-catch section at the tip fills the gap between the refill and the cone, eliminating pen-tip wobble and the rattling noise that plagues cheaper multi-function pens. Combined with rubber slide knocks, the result is a pen that feels stable and quiet in the hand.

The black refill is smooth and glides across the page with very little pressure. The red refill behaves the same way. The initial refills are Zebra’s NC05 emulsion ink, a 7:3 emulsified blend of oil-based and water-based ink. That formulation pairs the smooth, flowing feel of water-based ink with the water resistance and quick drying of oil-based ink, so even light writers get a clean, effortless line.

The mechanical pencil writes with a light, rather scratchy-slick character rather than a heavy clicky feel, and it produces no perceptible shake. Among multi-function pens, it sits comfortably in the easy-to-write category. The pen itself is light, with a claimed total length of 143.6mm, a weight of 12.2g, and a barrel diameter of 11.8mm, with the weight balance near the center.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Not everything lands perfectly. The soft clip has almost no clamping force, so its practical value for securing the pen to a pocket or notebook cover is limited. There is also an unavoidable sense of budget construction overall, though at this price that is understandable and the pen still punches above its cost.

The rubber grip is the most persistent annoyance. It attracts dust and grime easily, feels slightly tacky to the touch, and is difficult to clean once dirty. The grip itself never slips, but keeping it looking fresh takes effort.

The biggest functional complaint concerns the mechanical pencil’s knock. Because the pencil shares the slide-knock mechanism, extending the lead requires a fairly stiff press that can feel awkward in use. The enlarged knock button and rubber material help, but a conventional knock design for the pencil section alone would have made this an even better pen.

On the plus side, the list of strengths is long: a stylish look, a genuinely pleasant writing feel, excellent value for money, and thoughtful small design choices throughout.

Which One Should You Buy?

For anyone drawn to the Latte palette but not committed to carrying a mechanical pencil, the BLEN 3C three-color ballpoint in its own limited Latte colors deserves a serious look. It costs just 440 yen, keeps the same muted colorways and the same BLEN writing system, and skips the pencil knock that is the weakest part of the 2+S experience.

For students and note-takers who want black, red, and a pencil in one slim body, the BLEN 2+S remains the more complete tool, and 550 yen is a low bar for entry. Quiet, low-vibration writing instruments are multiplying across the market, and it will be interesting to see how manufacturers refine this category next.

Conclusion

The Zebra BLEN 2+S Latte Color is a stylish, easy-writing multi-function pen that turns a small budget into a surprisingly refined everyday tool. The wobble-free BLEN system and emulsion ink deliver on the writing promise, while the soft clip and dust-prone grip are the trade-offs you accept. If you can live without the pencil, the BLEN 3C is the more elegant pick; if you want everything in one barrel, the 2+S is still an easy recommendation.