Japanese manga pen nibs

In Japan, there are three main pen nib brands: Tachikawa, Nikko, and Zebra. However, since Nikko is manufactured by Tachikawa, only Tachikawa and Zebra actually produce the nibs.

Both brands offer a range of nibs, including the spoon pen (saji pen), G-pen, and round pen (maru pen), but they differ in their hardness. This difference stems from the materials used and subtle variations in their design. While user preferences vary, Tachikawa nibs are generally considered harder than Nikko’s. Therefore, if you have a heavy hand pressure, choose Tachikawa; if your hand tires easily, go for Nikko. Select a nib that suits your style. The nibs used for manga, ordered by decreasing line thickness, are: G-pen, spoon pen, Japanese pen, school pen, and round pen, totaling five types. Some artists stick to a single favorite nib, while others combine G-pen and round pen for varied effects. Find the nib that works best for you to draw.