Using this notebook for my JPN to ENG translations of short stories.

Pros
- The size. A5 is my favorite because it's small enough to fit in my bags, but big enough that I don't have to scrunch my handwriting. Line spacing is pretty good too. Even though my handwriting isn't big, I appreciated the extra space between lines due to the spacing.
- Smoothness. I kid you not, this MIO paper is so freaking smooth. It feels like the pages from my Genki textbooks I used in high school. I was almost tempted to leave this notebook blank because I didn't want to mark the pristine pages.
- Zero bleed through. Tried writing in this with pencil, ball point pen, fountain pen, fine liners, and mildliners. I was worried about the fountain pen ink getting through to the other side, but that didn't happen at all.
- It's just a very aesthetically pleasing notebook. The cover looks nice, and the lines are in a light blue that can be clearly seen, yet it's not so noticeable that it pulls away from the writing and reading experience.

Cons
- Doesn't do well with ballpoints. Not sure if my pen was just dry, but I had to press way harder to make the ink run.
- Drying time when using fountain pen ink. I was tricked into thinking my ink was dry one time because it looked like it had absorbed fully into the paper, but that wasn't true. Ended up smearing a little bit.
- Notebook can't be opened fully at some points because of binding method or glue, so that made writing uncomfortable sometimes. Had to use my pencil board to try and push the pages open more.

Just wanted to update my previous review, which I wrote when I didn't have much experience with this notebook yet. Now that I've filled up three of these notebooks, I have to say this is about the best fountain pen-friendly paper out there. It is extremely smooth; all my pens write better on this paper. Ink colors look beautiful on the creamy, off-white paper. The paper is very supple; it drapes when you rifle through it, if that makes any sense. I would compare this paper to Tomoe River. And for the price, it far outstrips that other brand in value. I no longer buy that other brand because this MIO paper has performed so well for me. And that's saying a lot, because for a while, that used to be the only paper I would use. I am extremely pleased with this MIO paper; it's luxurious and a joy to write on. I will be buying it in large quantities.

If I had one negative thing to say, it would be that I don't understand why the A5 notebook costs more than the B5, which is larger. The A5 costs more than the B5. It's still a very good buy, but I would recommend that JetPens (or Kokuyo, whoever sets the price) have a look at their pricing on this brand. It feels like they are taking advantage of the popularity of the A5 size. That's their prerogative, but it feels like I'm being taken advantage of in that regard. Maybe they know just how good this paper is; I will still buy it in the A5 size because my fauxdori is that size, and this is what I use for my refills. I guess they've got me over a barrel, because I am hooked on this paper. Bottom line, it's still the best paper out there for the price.

This paper is fantastic. I write exclusively with fountain pens and love small notebooks. I have used many different kinds and nothing compares to the smoothness of this paper, the quick dry time, everything. A wonderful experience.

This notebook is darling! The pictures don't make it clear but this has a school-style header on the pages, with space for a name/number and date and a line specifically for the title. The paper is very thin but only particularly heavy pens will bleed. I've been using both sides of the paper with no problem with signos and pilot fountain pens. However, if you have an unusually strong hand you may feel like you're going to tear the paper. The size, weight, binding, etc all feel pleasant to just hold. It lays flat very well. The one downside is that it's too glossy for pencil – it can look rather faint. Pencil looks a touch darker on Kokuyo's non-MIO paper.

This paper is exquisite! And a wonderful fit with the Uni-ball Signo Bit UM-201 Gel Ink Pen .18mm size. the tiny point feels right at home on this amazing paper.