A limited "Skyly Design" edition of the "FLOATUNE" frictionless ballpoint pen, made by Astram Co., Ltd. under the "Pentel" brand, is releasing at stationery stores nationwide from Friday, July 24, 2026. The pen is known for its floating, near-frictionless writing feel.
"FLOATUNE," released in June 2024, is a frictionless ballpoint pen that minimizes friction during writing to the fullest extent, offering a floating writing experience that lets ideas flow clearly onto the page.
This limited edition draws on that sense of floating, expressing the changing colors of the sky from morning to night in its body design. Holding it is meant to bring the same relaxed, uplifting feeling as glancing up at the sky during a busy day.
New Product Highlights
1. A Body Design Tracing the Sky's Colors Through the Day
Built around themes of calm and comfort, the body design captures the sky's changing colors at different times of day. A soft, natural gradient runs from the upper body down to the white grip, creating a light, cohesive look. The single pens come in six body patterns — Seicho (Fine Morning), Hirusagari (Early Afternoon), Akanezora (Crimson Sky), Tasogare (Dusk), Akesora (Dawn Sky), and Yofuke (Late Night) — and lining them up shows the sky's colors shifting from morning to night.
All ink colors are black, and the pens come in two ball sizes: 0.4mm (available only in the Hirusagari and Yofuke designs) and 0.5mm.
2. A 3-Pen Set With Set-Exclusive Designs
Alongside the single pens, two 0.5mm 3-pen sets with set-exclusive designs are also releasing. The "Day Time Set," inspired by the daytime sky, includes Seicho, Akanezora, and the set-exclusive Niji (Rainbow) design. The "Night Time Set," inspired by the nighttime sky, includes Tasogare, Akesora, and the set-exclusive Houkiboshi (Comet) design.
The packaging has a glossy finish and a rounded shape, and the back can be cut out and used as a bookmark.
FLOATUNE Highlights
1. A Comfortable, Floating Writing Feel
A system that keeps ink flowing smoothly, combined with the cushioning effect of a special ink, minimizes the friction that occurs during ballpoint writing to the fullest extent, creating a floating writing experience.
Behind the floating writing feel
- A cushioning-formula ink that softens metal-on-metal contact
- An "overflowing" technology that delivers ink smoothly and abundantly
- A high-precision tip that optimizes the path through which the special ink flows
2. A Noise-Free Design
Built around white and gray in a simple, smooth shape with no unnecessary contours, the pen's design stays out of the way of its floating writing feel and the user's train of thought.
Pricing
- FLOATUNE Limited Skyly Design single-color ballpoint pen, 0.4mm/0.5mm, black ink: ¥385 each (tax included)
- FLOATUNE Limited Skyly Design 3-pen set, 0.5mm, black ink: ¥1,155 each (tax included)
