Mitsubishi has offered the 9800 office pencil for almost 80 years, with very few changes to the design since its introduction in 1946. So we jumped at the chance to carry this surprising and thoroughly contemporary update, which boasts a gorgeous color and an interesting technological innovation.

Here's the interesting part: that lovely sky-blue coating isn't just paint. It's made with a new antiviral coating called "Virus Block" (hence the 9800VB model number) that was jointly created by Tokyo Institute of Technology and Keio University.

In lab studies, towels coated with Virus Block had 99% fewer viruses and fungi on their surface after 60 minutes than an untreated towel, and 99.9% fewer after 24 hours. That makes the 9800VB an attractive choice for public settings like schools and offices, which even in non-pandemic times are sites of cold and flu transmission.

Since it shares the core of its predecessor, the 9800 HB, Mitsubishi 9800VB is an unusually nice writing pencil. It glides smoothly along the page, leaving behind dark lines and retaining its point well.

Please note the following warnings and limitations: 9800VB pencils are not intended to prevent or treat any disease and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Virus Block is included in the paint, not the exposed wood, which has no antiviral function. Not effective against all viruses or fungi. Do not use for any purpose other than writing.

Box of 12 unsharpened pencils. Made in Japan.

About Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.:

Founded in the 19th century in Tokyo, Mitsubishi Pencil has been one of the world's leading pen and pencil manufacturers for generations. Well-known around the world for their Uni brand of pens and pencils, Mitsubishi continues to innovate and release new products, like POSCA paint markers and an ever-expanding lineup of writing pens.

Fun fact: "Mitsubishi" means "three diamonds," and the name and three-diamond mark of Mitsubishi Pencil predates the better-known Mitsubishi Group by ten years. Despite sharing the same name and symbol, Mitsubishi Pencil is not related to any of the numerous other Mitsubishi companies in Japan.