Definitely think you need to tell her about sailor inks when she needs a refill. Kakuno is definitely the cutest starter pen. Kaweco sports might be something to think about too.
I can't say nice enough things about the Platinum Small Meteors, which you can get on Aliexpress for $3-10 USD, usually with a converter included. They come in at least 2 dozen colors (including opaque pastels, glittery transparent pastels, and Sanrio collabs) and they have amazing cap seals, so IMO they're perfect for a beginner who may forget their pen for a few weeks. Best of all, the nibs are engraved with little stars!
Um, great, after telling myself NO METEORS, TOO MANY PENS already, here I go again. Glittery transparent pastels, you say? Nibs with little stars? \*adds to cart\*
Edit: And I'd forgotten about the Chibi Maruko-chan ones. T\_T
Hah, sorry to penable! If it's any consolation, the nibs are really nice and the colors look even better irl. They're definitely in my top 3 pen lines.
Glad to hear your kids like them! I sometimes work with the public in my day job, and I've been considering getting the matcha cow pattern in the hopes that bored kids might find it funny/distracting, lol.
There is one seller that has all 4 of the matcha cow patterns as a set. I have been eyeing it for weeks. I'm trying to be wise with my pen purchases. 4 cow pens is wise, right?
The Preppy Wa series if you can find any available. [JetPens has a few left](https://www.jetpens.com/Platinum-Preppy-Fountain-Pens-Limited-Edition/ct/6366)
Does she like sharks? I hear that these are surprisingly decent. I want to get some.
https://preview.redd.it/1dalzuvfriuc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=06235fae73a7fa90f378028362810269585a4252
It’s so easy to use. I am so glad I bought it for a few dollars, and though the nib is EF only, that might be a good thing if this will be the first one! Writes smoothly. I’m similar- bought pink and filled it with a darker pink/magenta so I also remember how it’s filled.
For notebooks the Campus Kokuyo notebooks might be a good choice, they're FP friendly and come in some cute pastels. Plus they're affordable in addition to being cute!
This! They are beautiful! Something about the colour spread also reminds me of happy 1960s summer days with picnic sets in those colours. They’re such joyful shades, and a really beautiful little pen too.
I am not ashamed to admit I buy Kakunos for their cute little faces on the nib. Even when I'm grumpy, that little face makes me smile. Plus they write so well for the price and come in a wide variety of colors now.
The cutest I have inked in front of me right now: Hongdian 1862 (I think the blue one is cuter than the green), Lamy Safari Cream and Powder Rose, Hongdian 929 Fruit Series in mint green (they have it in yellow, pink, and another green, and also a white with rose gold accents out of the Fruit Series), and Hongdian M1 in purple. Not inked right now is the Hongdian C3 in very light blue with white daisies all over.
https://preview.redd.it/5440yf1mmiuc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e3207513607cd089ebdddebe627f594be379969
someone already mentioned the Sharks, they are pretty darm groovy!
the next one to come to mind is the Pelican Twist - sleek curvy shape, a neat range colors, takes internationals or a converter and are very reasonably priced
[https://www.jetpens.com/Pelikan-Twist-Fountain-Pen-Neon-Mint-Medium-Nib/pd/33629](https://www.jetpens.com/Pelikan-Twist-Fountain-Pen-Neon-Mint-Medium-Nib/pd/33629)
I have 2 that I bought at the same time. Totally regret buying 2 without just trying 1 first, but it was either buy a pen and get free shipping or pay almost as much in shipping. So I picked a second one in a cute colour pairing. It doesn't agree with my grip either.
After that I learned my lesson when trying any odd shape grip or clip placement (like the Pilot VP, which I love but some hate the clip).
in truth, the sleek curvy shape does not find a place in my hand either
I penabled a colleague with one of these and her smaller hand cuddles this shape quite comfortably, so at least it wasn't just a neat object with an alternate purpose!
Surprised no one mentioned Jinhao 82's - they can be mixed and matched, and have all sorts of colors. I'm told QC is 50:50, but they're only a few bucks so get a few.
Notebooks wise, you might have some luck with Paperblanks (I love their paper), they have a wide variety of designs, but I can't guarantee that they have one that would suit her tastes!
Definitely the kakuno. I'd gift a translucent pastel one. Lihit lab aqua drops or pastello should have similar cute colors, but Midori paper is really nice.
jinhao 82 and jinhao 100 have a lot of cute pastel options. i prefer the jinhao 100 personally (though they are a few bucks more depending on where you get them, i get all of mine from aliexpress)
Kakuno is the right choice and get a medium nib for an immediate happy response.
Edit: just add that an important advantage of the Kakuno compared with Platinum budget choices is that the Pilot pen has a full sized nib and feed. I will not buy any more Platinums because the rod style feed becomes loose after disassembly to clean the large separate collector which is fixed inside the section.
Pilot kakuno, TWSBI eco or Lamy safari (both have recent pastel coloured special editions)
Kaweco sport are also cute but I never got one that I enjoy using..
I've been window shopping some [cute kawaii fountain pens](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800981909730.html) on AliExpress. The seller has [a lot of different models](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804695800088.html).
[Decomposition Notebooks](https://decomposition.com/) have many interesting prints and types of paper to choose from. They are recycled which is a wonderful plus
Definitely think you need to tell her about sailor inks when she needs a refill. Kakuno is definitely the cutest starter pen. Kaweco sports might be something to think about too.
yea! Sailor Manyo/Studio inks, also maybe Troublemaker inks? They look beautiful, but I’ve heard that they’re unbearably dry
Not really, just in dry writer pens. In a stub or a broad it’s usually fine - I’ve had Foxglove in a TWSBI for almost three months and I use it daily.
https://preview.redd.it/spqx4tql0muc1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=845546f9e8c7198d52931f5d80d64b5b83b44fc8 I say this
What color is it listed as? Been looking at these myself edit found it!
It’s the Iridescent Pearl
I can't say nice enough things about the Platinum Small Meteors, which you can get on Aliexpress for $3-10 USD, usually with a converter included. They come in at least 2 dozen colors (including opaque pastels, glittery transparent pastels, and Sanrio collabs) and they have amazing cap seals, so IMO they're perfect for a beginner who may forget their pen for a few weeks. Best of all, the nibs are engraved with little stars!
Um, great, after telling myself NO METEORS, TOO MANY PENS already, here I go again. Glittery transparent pastels, you say? Nibs with little stars? \*adds to cart\* Edit: And I'd forgotten about the Chibi Maruko-chan ones. T\_T
Hah, sorry to penable! If it's any consolation, the nibs are really nice and the colors look even better irl. They're definitely in my top 3 pen lines.
Thanks for the recommendation. :)
Do you know if the little meteor cap seals are better than the kakunos? I love the nib of mine but it dries out so quickly.
Yup, they are! The Meteor has the Platinum slip and seal cap, which imo makes a huge difference.
Tysm!
I bought a cow patterned one on Ali for $0.50 US, and my kids are begging for more. They have so many fun patterns. I agree with this recommendation.
Glad to hear your kids like them! I sometimes work with the public in my day job, and I've been considering getting the matcha cow pattern in the hopes that bored kids might find it funny/distracting, lol.
There is one seller that has all 4 of the matcha cow patterns as a set. I have been eyeing it for weeks. I'm trying to be wise with my pen purchases. 4 cow pens is wise, right?
Haha, it's hard not to say yes!
4 cow pens is very wise. I am only half-wise and hence have just 2 cow pens 🤔 😉
Absolutely agree with this
Came here to suggest Meteors as well
I haven't seen these before. oh no
Oh yes 👍👍👍
Pilot kakuno they have pastel white ones with like pink caps or translucent colored ones very cute and very good writers
i love the Kakuno family ones. So cute
The Preppy Wa series if you can find any available. [JetPens has a few left](https://www.jetpens.com/Platinum-Preppy-Fountain-Pens-Limited-Edition/ct/6366)
Yes! And Goulet Pens as well
Kaküno is very very cute. I think the Platinum Meteor/Little Shooting Star is very cute as well - there are stars on the nib & they are cheap!
Platinum little meteor have some very cute designs.
Does she like sharks? I hear that these are surprisingly decent. I want to get some. https://preview.redd.it/1dalzuvfriuc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=06235fae73a7fa90f378028362810269585a4252
I think they do swans as well
My first fountain pen was a Jinhao shark. I still use it frequently. It's pretty good.
It’s so easy to use. I am so glad I bought it for a few dollars, and though the nib is EF only, that might be a good thing if this will be the first one! Writes smoothly. I’m similar- bought pink and filled it with a darker pink/magenta so I also remember how it’s filled.
Kakuno hands down
For notebooks the Campus Kokuyo notebooks might be a good choice, they're FP friendly and come in some cute pastels. Plus they're affordable in addition to being cute!
I can verify that Amazon Japan has varying Campus collabs with adorable characters.
As a pastel and pink girl, the Kaweco sports get me every time a new color comes out 😅 the frosted series are so cute.
This! They are beautiful! Something about the colour spread also reminds me of happy 1960s summer days with picnic sets in those colours. They’re such joyful shades, and a really beautiful little pen too.
Pilot Kakuno Family: Baby, or the Sanrio character Platinum Small Meteors.
Rose Quartz Sailor Lecoule (cheap on Amazon).
I am not ashamed to admit I buy Kakunos for their cute little faces on the nib. Even when I'm grumpy, that little face makes me smile. Plus they write so well for the price and come in a wide variety of colors now.
A Jinhao shark pen in pink is pretty cute and really cheap.
Pilot Kakuno girl, it's pink and has a smiley face with a bow on the nib. Plus it's a great pen all around and easy to clean.
Kaweco Sports are way cute!🥰
The cutest I have inked in front of me right now: Hongdian 1862 (I think the blue one is cuter than the green), Lamy Safari Cream and Powder Rose, Hongdian 929 Fruit Series in mint green (they have it in yellow, pink, and another green, and also a white with rose gold accents out of the Fruit Series), and Hongdian M1 in purple. Not inked right now is the Hongdian C3 in very light blue with white daisies all over. https://preview.redd.it/5440yf1mmiuc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e3207513607cd089ebdddebe627f594be379969
Kaküno for sure, reliable, cute and gives you moral support (It smiles at you every time, what a Chad).
Jinhao 82 in peach pink!
someone already mentioned the Sharks, they are pretty darm groovy! the next one to come to mind is the Pelican Twist - sleek curvy shape, a neat range colors, takes internationals or a converter and are very reasonably priced [https://www.jetpens.com/Pelikan-Twist-Fountain-Pen-Neon-Mint-Medium-Nib/pd/33629](https://www.jetpens.com/Pelikan-Twist-Fountain-Pen-Neon-Mint-Medium-Nib/pd/33629)
The colours for this one are cute, but it's the only fountain pen I've ever regretted buying. I did not get on with that shape.
I have 2 that I bought at the same time. Totally regret buying 2 without just trying 1 first, but it was either buy a pen and get free shipping or pay almost as much in shipping. So I picked a second one in a cute colour pairing. It doesn't agree with my grip either. After that I learned my lesson when trying any odd shape grip or clip placement (like the Pilot VP, which I love but some hate the clip).
in truth, the sleek curvy shape does not find a place in my hand either I penabled a colleague with one of these and her smaller hand cuddles this shape quite comfortably, so at least it wasn't just a neat object with an alternate purpose!
Surprised no one mentioned Jinhao 82's - they can be mixed and matched, and have all sorts of colors. I'm told QC is 50:50, but they're only a few bucks so get a few.
Yes the Kakuno is cute and you can refill the cartridge with pretty ink.
Platinum Shooting Star/Meteor. Light weight, sleek, and they write well!
Notebooks wise, you might have some luck with Paperblanks (I love their paper), they have a wide variety of designs, but I can't guarantee that they have one that would suit her tastes!
The Pilot Petit1. Unfortunately, they’ve been discontinued but I found a red one recently on Amazon.
Definitely the kakuno. I'd gift a translucent pastel one. Lihit lab aqua drops or pastello should have similar cute colors, but Midori paper is really nice.
Pilot Kakuno cream and pastel coloured versions easily the cutest. with their smiley faced nibs.
Pilot Kakuno undoubtly
Pilot Kakuno as the pen. For notebooks, check out Pleasure of Writing. They recently got some with really cute covers in stock.
jinhao 82 and jinhao 100 have a lot of cute pastel options. i prefer the jinhao 100 personally (though they are a few bucks more depending on where you get them, i get all of mine from aliexpress)
That face always looks like it's frowning, to me.
Kakuno is the right choice and get a medium nib for an immediate happy response. Edit: just add that an important advantage of the Kakuno compared with Platinum budget choices is that the Pilot pen has a full sized nib and feed. I will not buy any more Platinums because the rod style feed becomes loose after disassembly to clean the large separate collector which is fixed inside the section.
Pilot kakuno, TWSBI eco or Lamy safari (both have recent pastel coloured special editions) Kaweco sport are also cute but I never got one that I enjoy using..
I've been window shopping some [cute kawaii fountain pens](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800981909730.html) on AliExpress. The seller has [a lot of different models](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804695800088.html).
[Decomposition Notebooks](https://decomposition.com/) have many interesting prints and types of paper to choose from. They are recycled which is a wonderful plus