The nibs that define manga illustration
Tachikawa has been making dip pen nibs in Tokyo for decades. The G-nib is the production standard for manga illustration worldwide — medium flex, forgiving for beginners, capable of expressive line variation under controlled pressure for experienced practitioners. The difference between a thick and a thin line in a single stroke is achieved by pressing for the thick and releasing for the thin; the G-nib responds cleanly to this pressure variation without splaying.
Why Start Here
Tachikawa's G-nib is the recommended entry point into manga and comic dip-pen work. Its spring is more forgiving under inconsistent pressure than Nikko or Zebra, which makes early mistakes less punishing while you learn pressure control. It pairs with any standard nib holder and any black or coloured ink, waterproof or water-soluble.
Honest Note:
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)
Which Tachikawa nib should I start with?
The G-nib. It is forgiving of varied pressure, widely available, and the correct starting point for both manga illustration and general dip pen work. The G-nib teaches you what flex feels like and builds the pressure control needed before moving to the more demanding Maru nib.
Why does a new nib repel ink?
All new steel nibs are coated with a thin protective oil to prevent rust during storage and shipping. This oil repels water-based inks. Pass the nib briefly through a candle flame (one second only — you are burning off the oil, not heating the metal red) or wipe firmly with isopropyl alcohol on a cloth before first use. The ink will then load correctly.
What holder should I use with Tachikawa nibs?
The Tachikawa T-25 straight holder is the standard and is compatible with all three nib types. For copperplate calligraphy with pointed pen nibs (Brause Steno, Rose), you would use an oblique holder instead — but for G-nibs, Maru nibs, and School nibs, the straight T-25 is correct.