Why Japanese Manga Pens Are Different from Western Comic Tools

If you’ve ever dabbled in drawing comics, you might be surprised to learn that the tools used by Japanese manga artists are often quite different from those favored by Western comic creators. One of the most iconic differences is the use of dip pens (known in Japanese as tsuke-pen). These traditional tools have played a vital role in the unique look and feel of Japanese manga for decades.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes Japanese manga pens so special, introduce popular pen nibs used by professionals, and show you how top manga artists bring their worlds to life—still using analog tools today.

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What Are Japanese Manga Pens?

Unlike fountain pens or technical pens used in many Western comics, Japanese manga pens consist of three parts:

• A pen nib (such as G-pen, Maru-pen, or Saji-pen)
• A pen holder
• Ink (usually black, waterproof manga ink)

These pens are not disposable and allow for fine control of line thickness and expression depending on the pressure and angle applied. That’s why so many professional manga artists continue to use them even in the digital age.

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Main Types of Manga Pen Nibs

Here are the most common types of manga nibs and their features:

• G-Pen
  Ideal for dynamic character outlines and expressive strokes. Great for action scenes and thick-to-thin lines.
• Maru-Pen (Round Pen)
  Used for detailed backgrounds and delicate lines like hair or intricate textures.
• Saji-Pen (Spoon Pen)
  Easier to control and great for beginners or for drawing steady, consistent lines. Often used in shojo manga.
• School-Pen
  A hybrid between G-pen and Saji-pen, known for moderate flexibility and ease of use.

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Popular Manga Pen Sets for Beginners

If you’re just getting started with manga drawing, here are some highly rated dip pen sets from Japan:

1. Deleter Comic Pen Set (G-Pen + Maru-Pen + Saji-Pen)

Perfect for beginners who want to explore dip pens. This starter kit includes one versatile free pen holder compatible with G nibs, Maru nibs, and Saji (Spoon) nibs. It also comes with one of each nib type and three postcard-sized comic manuscript sheets—ideal for trying out various line styles.

デリーター お試しペンセット 341-1008 価格：1,072円（税込、送料別) (2025/7/18時点) 楽天で購入

2. Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder + Nib Set

This is a recommended starter set for those drawing manga or illustrations with a dip pen for the first time.
It includes five commonly used nibs, a pen holder, ink, and manuscript paper—everything you need to get started right away.

The postcard-sized format makes it a compact set that’s also perfect as a gift.

タチカワ 日光 漫画ペン先セット N-CPS 【 ギフト プレゼント マンガ ペンさき 立川ピン製作所 】 価格：1,936円（税込、送料別) (2025/7/18時点) 楽天で購入

3. DELETER Manga Tool DX Set

A complete starter kit that includes everything you need to begin drawing manga. It comes with pen nibs, a holder, manuscript paper, ink, screentones, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or gifting it to an aspiring artist, this set makes it easy to jump into the world of manga creation.

漫画セット デリーター まんがツールDX これ一つで漫画が描けるようになる/初心者向け漫画家セット/マンガ家セット/まんが家セット/クリスマスプレゼント/誕生日プレゼント 価格：7,370円（税込、送料別) (2025/7/18時点) 楽天で購入

4. Sakura Pigma Micron 5-Pen Set

A staple among illustrators and manga creators, this set includes five waterproof and fade-resistant fineliner pens in various tip sizes. Ideal for everything from bold outlines to delicate details, and the ink won’t smear even after erasing pencil lines.

サクラクレパス ピグマ 5本セット ESDK-5A 価格：1,153円（税込、送料無料) (2025/7/18時点) 楽天で購入

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Famous Manga Artists Who Still Use Dip Pens

Even in the age of tablets and digital drawing, many top-tier manga creators still rely on traditional dip pens for their signature styles. Here are some notable examples:

Eiichiro Oda (One Piece)

Oda uses a G-Pen for character lines and a Maru-Pen for fine background details. His dynamic and expressive art style owes much to his skillful handling of dip pens.

Mikio Ikemoto (BORUTO)

Ikemoto draws rough sketches in pencil and inks characters with a G-Pen, using different nibs for backgrounds and effects. He has mentioned this process in interviews, highlighting the importance of pen variety.

Hideaki Sorachi (Gintama)

Sorachi prefers analog techniques, using G-Pens, Maru-Pens, and even brush pens for nuanced expressions. He maintains full control over the line work from start to finish.

Inio Asano (Solanin, Goodnight Punpun)

Known for his emotionally rich and delicate artwork, Asano has said he prefers “pretty fine-tipped” G-Pens to capture subtle nuances in expression and atmosphere.

These artists show that dip pens remain a vital tool in the modern manga world, prized for their expressive potential and control.

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Final Thoughts

Japanese manga pens offer a unique, expressive drawing experience that continues to inspire both beginners and professionals. Whether you’re fascinated by the traditional craft of manga-making or looking to enhance your own art style, starting with a G-Pen or Maru-Pen might just open new creative doors.

Why not pick up a dip pen and try drawing like the pros?

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