Korean products inspired by Japan are driving the school stationery trend

A scene from the school market in Kozhikode. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

South Korean and Japanese inspired stationery is spreading across the state more than ever as students prepare for the new academic year on June 1. And they have become one of the main trends of this season.

Excited by K-pop’s global reach on social media and digital culture, the craze runs deeper than in years past among the younger Generation Z. Sanrio characters, K-pop designs and soft pastel aesthetics drive it further, especially among young girls. Kawaii, the Japanese word for “cute”, describes exactly what these products are selling.

TM Savitha, a student from Kannur said, “I usually watch Japanese and Korean YouTube channels, and that’s where I first became aware of these stationery items. Gradually, I fell in love with them.”

The internet plays a major role in the popularity of these items and influences this generation. “I prefer minimalist papers which are not only cute but also functional and when it comes to bags, I use the recently trending Korean bags,” said Rukiya Nashwa, a 15-year-old girl from Kasaragod.

Many students are now attracted to stationery items that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional. “Most of my friends now prefer pastel shades like light pink, lavender, beige and light blue for school bags and totes. Subtle and minimalist designs have become more popular than heavy prints. We are also looking for elegant and easy-to-carry water bottles,” said Ijene Jojo from Ernakulam.

The growing popularity of these trends reflects the changing preferences of students. “From bold, bright colors to soft pastels, the stationery selection has evolved over the years,” said the merchant.

However, not all students follow the pastel trend. “I mostly prefer dark bags and pouches and many of my classmates have similar options. There is now some uniformity in the stationery used by students,” said Noel Sojan of Kottayam.

He added that most stores offer very similar designs when it comes to bags, water bottles and other stationery. Many stationery stores in SM Street, Kozhikode offer items that have distinct similarities in color palettes and design patterns, limiting the variety of options available to students.

Meanwhile, younger children continue to prefer paper objects with bright colors and cartoon motifs. Bags and pencil cases featuring Disney characters, Marvel superheroes, Paw Patrol and Motu Patla remain among their top picks.

“My son tends to change his preferences every now and then, but when he has characters like Spider-Man and Superman on his bag, he is more interested in going to school,” said Shamna Minaz, a parent from Kozhikode.

Ms. Minaz also noted how school accessories have changed over the years. “Tiffin boxes have changed a lot since my time. We used to have only simple stainless steel boxes, but now they come with cartoon character prints and even name customization, all while maintaining the same security that stainless steel provides,” she said.

Published – 30 May 2026 19:36 IST