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ZenPop Japanese Stationery Pack Review – July 2018

Marne Orenich
ByMarne OrenichAug 9, 2018 | 3 comments

zen pop stationery pack box

ZenPop Stationery Pack
4 overall rating
1 Ratings | 0 Reviews

ZenPop Japanese Stationery Pack is a subscription box brought to you by ZenMarket filled with unique Japanese stationery and studying goods handpicked by their staff in Japan.

open zen pop stationery pack box

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

contents of July ZenPop Stationery Pack

About ZenPop Stationery Pack

The Subscription Box: ZenPop Stationery Pack

The Cost: $29.50 a month with free international shipping. Save with longer commitments. 

The Products: 12 or more cute and useful stationery items like pens, notebooks, stickers, and more.

Ships to: Worldwide

Good to know: Past boxes are sometimes still available via their marketplace.

ZenPop Stationery Pack July 2018 Review

thank you sheet coupon code

The box includes a thank you note with a coupon code to use on their site.

info sheet other side of info sheet

I find ZenPop's info sheet to be really helpful since a lot of the packaging isn't in English. It gives you a rundown of each item, plus I was excited to see that this month's theme is "Japanese Characters"!

POSCA Glitter Pen

Uni POSCA Glitter Pen in Violet - Retail Value $3.50

While this is called a "glitter" pen, I find the ink to be more metallic than anything. I'd also call this more of a paint marker myself and I find it to write really smoothly with the ink flowing evenly for optimal ability. The great thing about this one is that it can write on metal, plastic, or glass and is also waterproof and light resistant! I have a writing sample below with the other utensils.

Shibanban Clip back of Shibanban Clip Shibanban Clip on notebook

Shibanban Clip - Retail Value $2.99

Eeeeek! This Shiba Inu clip is so incredibly cute! One of the most popular of dog breeds in Japan, this golden Shiba Inu is named Shibanban and is a popular character on stamps or in the messaging app, Line, as well. You can use this hardy plastic clip to keep paperwork together or save a spot in your journal or planner.

Melon Kuma Puffy Stickers close up nof Melon Kuma Puffy Stickers

Melon Kuma Puffy Stickers

If you are interested in Japanese culture, chances are you may know how much the country seems to love mascots. Each city has their own, but some are more widely popular than others. This brown bear sporting a melon on his head is Yubari City in Hokkaido's version and looks to be pretty terrifying in real mascot form, but a lot less intimidating in cartoon sticker form. Because they are known for their Yubari Melon, this makes a lot more sense. I can't help but giggle at Melon Kuma eating and expelling various things on this sticker sheet, all the while seemingly shouting about it.

Pompom Purin Toast Eraser in package Pompom Purin Toast Eraser back of Pompom Purin Toast Eraser

Pompompurin Toast Eraser

Well, geez. I used to really love Pompompurin in my teen years so it's nice to see his familiar beret-wearing face. His likeness is adorably stamped onto an eraser that is made to look like toast, complete with being wrapped in a little plastic baggy and sealed with a twist tie. I couldn't bear to use this eraser, so I will keep it in a drawer to admire when I'm feeling sad.

Panda Mini Sticky Notes in package Panda Mini Sticky Notes

Cute Panda Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are inevitable in stationery boxes. Some are larger for short notes, and some, like these, are smaller and best used for things like marking a page in a book you're reading or flagging important things. Pandas are probably in my top 5 most beloved animals, so I'm tickled pink to receive these cuties. There are 2 separate stacks of 20, so there's plenty to go around. Need something to cover the camera on your laptop but don't want to go full-sticker? These make a cute temporary privacy shield!

Sumikko-Gurashi Washi Tape in package Sumikko-Gurashi Washi Tape unrolled Sumikko-Gurashi Washi Tape

Sumikko Gurashi Washi Tape 

Gahhhh. San-X is another of my favorite character designing companies (like Sanrio). The Sumikko Gurashi gang has stolen my heart over the last year but I don't recall ever getting washi tape with them on it. It's tough to even describe the cuteness of what is happening on this tape because I don't quite understand it myself, but it makes me happy and the pale colors are lovely and pleasing.

Rilakkuma Face Memo Pad back of Rilakkuma Face Memo Pad page design for Rilakkuma Face Memo Pad other page design for Rilakkuma Face Memo Pad

Rilakkuma Face Memo Pad - Retail Value $1.90

Each item seems to bring more joy! This is turning out to be quite the stationery pack this month! Rilakkuma, aka "Relax Bear" is another favorite character, but I feel like I'll just keep saying that in this review. This little memo pad has two different page designs to make a total of 100 pages you can use to jot down grocery or to do lists a-plenty. The plastic cover is embossed with some glitter accents to make it extra-special.

Gudetama Mini Pen close up of Gudetama Mini Pen back of Gudetama Mini Pen top of Gudetama Mini Pen

Gudetama Mini Pen

Another fave! Sheesh! Gudetama is a lazy egg and resonates with myself and a lot of my friends. There are 2 different variations of this dual-ink pen and I received the yellow one (as opposed to the white). There are 2 "arms" at the top of the pen that you depress to reveal either red or black ink to write with. Though it's just a simple ballpoint pen, it's extremely cute and well-designed. Very egg-cited to add this to my collection!

Uni Hand Fit Mechanical Pencil

Zebra Hand Fit Mechanical Pencil - Retail Value $5.14

With all of the character cuteness this month, this mechanical pencil seems like a total flop. Sure, it has a clip and a soft rubber grip with a pleasing blue body, but it's tough to stand up against all the cuteness in the box, right? I do love mechanical pencils though, so this is still welcomed.

Gudetama Croquis Sketch Book back of Gudetama Croquis Sketch Book close up of Gudetama Croquis Sketch Book inside pages of Gudetama Croquis Sketch Book

Gudetama Maruman Croquis Sketchbook - Estimated Retail Value $4.45

I've received this brand of sketchbook in the past and they are always really nicely done! I had no idea they did character collaborations, so it's quite a surprise to see our lazy egg friend grace the cover of the normally minimal brand. The cover is a kraft brown with yellow polka dots and images of Gudetama within the Croquis name on the front. Inside, there are crisp white pages bound together with a spiral binding that makes it easy to get creative.

writing samples for pens and pencils

Here are writing samples of everything from the box in the sketchbook!

set of Pompompurin Handy Bags front and back of Pompompurin Handy Bags

BONUS: Pompompurin Handy Bags

The last item is a bonus item that was only included in the subscription, so if you bought it as a one-off, you won't receive it. The pack contains 5 plastic gift bags that are sort of an aqua-blue color and feature Pompompurin drawings in many different forms. These are perfect to give out little goodies to friends or family.

bottom of inside of ZenPop Stationery Pack

As always, the bottom of the inside of the box gives a big "Thank You".

Verdict: This has to be one of my favorite ZenPop Stationery Packs to date! There are always cute things included, but this month was an overload due to the "Japanese Characters" theme! Almost every item was dripping with cuteness from some of my favorite characters, as well as new ones. The washi tape and mini pen have to be a couple of my faves this time, along with the sketchbook and Shiba Inu clip. 

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You can still purchase this box for a one-time fee, but subscribe now to receive September as your first recurring box.

Value Breakdown: This box costs $29.50 + free shipping, which means that each of the 11 items in the box has an average cost of $2.68.

Check out all of our ZenPop Stationery Pack reviews and more stationery reviews in the Paper and Stationery Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Do you have a favorite Japanese character from this month's ZenPop Stationery Pack?!

Starting at $30.00
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ZenPop’s Stationery Pack is filled with unique, kawaii and high-quality Japanese stationery items. There are 10 items in every pack, such as cute stickers, quirky notepads and sticky notes, top-notch writing tools and much, much more. ZenPop's Stationery Pack is handpicked by their team in Osaka ... read more.
Marne Orenich
Marne Orenich
Marne is a lipstick connoisseur, record collector, and twice over cat mom. She loves discovering new clean beauty brands and has quite the collection of beautifully packaged serums and moisturizers.

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3 comments

lauren

Marne –

First off, I know I sound crazy. I’m searching for Sanrio wooden pencils with erasers. Do you have any hints on where I might find them?

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DawnS

Well my wallet may have been saved by FFF and PS but not by this cute box….totally just bought it as a 1 of. Love it!
Not exactly sure if it worked as the site is a bit funky but fingers crossed!

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Kris

That washi tape alone makes me want this box…SO CUTE!!

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