[IC] KKB Nichirin - GB LIVE NOW - 01/09 to 28/09

[Bobatype]

KKB Nichirin

LINKS

Intro | Kits | Deskmat | Renders |
Specs | Vendors | Collabs | Misc

Socials: @moriimx | @boba.types

GB Thread Link: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=125712.0 - pending

• INSPIRATION •

Designed by mori and boba.types, KKB Nichirin is forged from a shared appreciation of a show about slaying demons and the katanas they use. This keycap set pairs gleaming silver metallic Latin legends with dark black Hiragana sublegend — capturing the elegance and deadly precision of a blade in motion.

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• KITS •

Base

[Covers 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, with terminal ISO, F13, Tsangan support, and minimal compatibility for some Alice, and split space layouts.]

Latin Base

Novelty
 

Add On

[Primarily a spacebars kit in both alpha and accent colors, with some extra goodies]

Flame Alphas

[Set your heart ablaze!]

Light Alphas

[Alphas are same color as the base kit modifiers, for a mono-colored look]

Numpad

40s

NorDE

UK

To create the unique visual expression of a metallic-like luster, the manufacturer infuses the raw plastic material with a special metal powder.
However, due to the properties of this material and the injection molding process, certain characteristics may be present. These are not quality issues.
"Flow marks" are subtle visual textures formed as the molten plastic cools inside the mold. They may appear on the top or sides as faint lines, swirls, or inconsistent changes in sheen. The addition of metal powder can make these marks more apparent. Please be aware this is an intended characteristic of the special material. The visual textures and variations in sheen are a normal result of the manufacturing process and are not considered defects in workmanship; they are not covered under warranty.

Examples of injection flow streak variation can be seen in existing keycap sets that use metallic material such as GMK Black & Gold, GMK Mars Cadet, GMK Kaiju R2

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• DESKMAT •

Tsuba

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• GALLERY •

[Renders by Mikeydigit]

Katana 80 by @boba.types

Qi65 by @yan.kbd[font]

F1-8x by @geonworks

F1-40-722 by @geonworks

W1-AT by @geonworks

Cloudnine by Machina

Disclaimer: Renders shown may not perfectly display the actual colors and/or texture of the keycaps. Please refer to actual photo samples to see the real colours and texture. These are best attempts at emulating the semi-translucent nature of the keycaps, whilst noting that lighting conditions and screen calibrations are also variables that affect colour representation/perception.

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• SPECIFICATIONS •

Manufacturer: Keykobo
Profile: Cylindrical Cherry
Material: ABS
Manufacturing Method: Double shot injection for primary legends. Additional colors on novelty keycaps are UV-print.

Disclaimer regarding Hiragana sublegends - new triple-shot tooling will be created and used for this project if the global quantity of orders of base kit is met as per manufacturer requirements. However, UV-printing will be utilized instead if this minimum quantity goal is not reached.

Compatibility: Mx-style switches

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• COLLABS •

Nil collaborations currently planned. Artisan makers reach out if interested!

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• VENDORS •

Group-buy commences September 1 until September 28
Estimated Production completion: December 2025 *
Conservative timeline estimate due to potentially brand-new triple-shot sublegend mold tooling if MOQ for that tooling is reached

• STORE PAGES •

US - Divinikeys
CA - Unikeyboard
EU - Keygem
UK - Prototypist
OCE - Toro Studios
CN - zFrontier
KR - Geon.works
SG - Pantheonkeys
TH - Aiglatson Studio
IND - Keebsmark

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• MISC •

• SOCIALS •

Instagram: @moriimx | @boba.types
 | Discord: mori saba

 

• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS •

Thank you to those who provided help, support or design assistance for this project in some form or another. Shoutouts in particular to:

More

> Stellaidoscope for novelty illustrations
> Mikeydigit for renders
> Boba.types for deskmat/packaging
> FLFrostBite for being gracious enough to let us use the title 'Nichirin' from an old IC project they're no longer proceeding forward with
> The designers of the respective keyboards in the renders depicted
> The community who provided feedback and moral support in pushing this project to this stage
> Nopunin10did and Konstantin for being the original kitting wizards whose advice on previous projects of mine (and others) have led to my foundational knowledge and decision making (any mistakes or peculiarities are mine though haha)

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[Gemmmmmmmmmmmmmy]

In. Just curious about the missing shinethrough non-stepped caps lock and scroll lock

[Bobatype]

In. Just curious about the missing shine-through non-stepped caps lock and scroll lock

Hi, I guess we were trying to minimise the add-on kit cost (as it is primarily a spacebars kit), and it didn't feel like there would be much use/interested in windowed versions of those particular keys. So I just left stepped caps lock only as a bit of an afterthought.

Personally I do like windowed/shine through caps lock and scroll lock, even if the keyboard has no lighting for it.
I wonder if people would actually prefer that to be the standard/default in base kits, as opposed to the non windowed variant.

[Gemmmmmmmmmmmmmy]

In. Just curious about the missing shine-through non-stepped caps lock and scroll lock

Hi, I guess we were trying to minimise the add-on kit cost (as it is primarily a spacebars kit), and it didn't feel like there would be much use/interested in windowed versions of those particular keys. So I just left stepped caps lock only as a bit of an afterthought.

Personally I do like windowed/shine through caps lock and scroll lock, even if the keyboard has no lighting for it.
I wonder if people would actually prefer that to be the standard/default in base kits, as opposed to the non windowed variant.

Ahh I see, personally I love all my windowed keys, even if my preferred layout is smaller, but that’s just me. Usually it’s in the extension kit in past kkb set, though how much would a key or two add?

[Ruby437]

I like the flame version especially, idk if it's a good idea to have essentially 4 alpha kits, that's spreading potential customers very thin.
Based on you already stating a buy period I assume kitting won't be changed but I'd love to see a full basekit with the flame version rather than having to double-pay for the alphas.

[meowoofun]

Clean. I don't know which Alphas to choose from they're all good 🔥

[Bobatype]

In. Just curious about the missing shine-through non-stepped caps lock and scroll lock

Hi, I guess we were trying to minimise the add-on kit cost (as it is primarily a spacebars kit), and it didn't feel like there would be much use/interested in windowed versions of those particular keys. So I just left stepped caps lock only as a bit of an afterthought.

Personally I do like windowed/shine through caps lock and scroll lock, even if the keyboard has no lighting for it.
I wonder if people would actually prefer that to be the standard/default in base kits, as opposed to the non windowed variant.

Ahh I see, personally I love all my windowed keys, even if my preferred layout is smaller, but that’s just me. Usually it’s in the extension kit in past kkb set, though how much would a key or two add?

Well you've convinced me to revise the add-on kit to add the other windowed keys as I can see it being missed being annoying to certain completionists who like to collect them all. I'm not a heavy excel user, so perhaps I personally didn't see the value in a windowed Scroll Lock. Given that it's not in the base kit, and the add-on kit admittedly is for those who are willing to spend a bit more to cover a lot more layouts/looks. $2-3 extra is hopefully not a deal breaker for this kit.

As a tangential aside, I personally would prefer this default cluster of legends of Print-Scroll-Pause to honestly be updated to something else more useful for a more modern audience for keycaps that aren't vintage themed. I know there's a few discussions like this from time to time, but it seems that there's not really a lot of consensus of good replacements. If it's text mods, I personally I like the idea of Prev-Play-Next, and potentially front-face printing UV legends of PrtSc, ScrLk, Pause etc. Other ideas I had was keeping Print, but changing Scroll to Lock (it's a bit more universal), and Pause to Mute (mute vol or mute mic). F13-F14-F15, is another idea, a bit more versatile and non-committal.

[Gemmmmmmmmmmmmmy]

In. Just curious about the missing shine-through non-stepped caps lock and scroll lock

Hi, I guess we were trying to minimise the add-on kit cost (as it is primarily a spacebars kit), and it didn't feel like there would be much use/interested in windowed versions of those particular keys. So I just left stepped caps lock only as a bit of an afterthought.

Personally I do like windowed/shine through caps lock and scroll lock, even if the keyboard has no lighting for it.
I wonder if people would actually prefer that to be the standard/default in base kits, as opposed to the non windowed variant.

Ahh I see, personally I love all my windowed keys, even if my preferred layout is smaller, but that’s just me. Usually it’s in the extension kit in past kkb set, though how much would a key or two add?

Well you've convinced me to revise the add-on kit to add the other windowed keys as I can see it being missed being annoying to certain completionists who like to collect them all. I'm not a heavy excel user, so perhaps I personally didn't see the value in a windowed Scroll Lock. Given that it's not in the base kit, and the add-on kit admittedly is for those who are willing to spend a bit more to cover a lot more layouts/looks. $2-3 extra is hopefully not a deal breaker for this kit.

Show Image

As a tangential aside, I personally would prefer this default cluster of legends of Print-Scroll-Pause to honestly be updated to something else more useful for a more modern audience for keycaps that aren't vintage themed. I know there's a few discussions like this from time to time, but it seems that there's not really a lot of consensus of good replacements. If it's text mods, I personally I like the idea of Prev-Play-Next, and potentially front-face printing UV legends of PrtSc, ScrLk, Pause etc. Other ideas I had was keeping Print, but changing Scroll to Lock (it's a bit more universal), and Pause to Mute (mute vol or mute mic). F13-F14-F15, is another idea, a bit more versatile and non-committal.

Splendid! Also about the default cluster, I do kinda like the idea of 'Lock' or something more universal, albeit I'm a big print screen user, but maybe those could be front facing prints. I think that would be pretty interesting to explore ngl.

[Bobatype]

Clean. I don't know which Alphas to choose from they're all good 🔥

Thanks.
Like many other sets, there's an extra tab included in the alphas, so you can potentially cover 2 types of keyboards with some finessing (i.e. split bs/stepped, 7u, 6.25u etc.). Add-on and novelties kit will increase your flexibility too in terms of options for the second keyboard coverage if you got certain preferences.

I like the flame version especially, idk if it's a good idea to have essentially 4 alpha kits, that's spreading potential customers very thin.
Based on you already stating a buy period I assume kitting won't be changed but I'd love to see a full basekit with the flame version rather than having to double-pay for the alphas.

Thanks. The original vision of the project was black sub-legends but I thought a bit more color on the sublegends would also look nice, so proposed red sublegends as an alternative look.
Unfortunately with the manufacturer minimum order quantities, we couldn't really justify slating in a third base kit, given that the current two base kits both contribute to the same MOQ. Whilst the alphas don't.
It would have to be a separate groupbuy entirely to have the red sublegends in base kit, but that could take forever to happen etc. The original spirit/theme of the set is the black sublegends.

[Bobatype]

In. Just curious about the missing shine-through non-stepped caps lock and scroll lock

Hi, I guess we were trying to minimise the add-on kit cost (as it is primarily a spacebars kit), and it didn't feel like there would be much use/interested in windowed versions of those particular keys. So I just left stepped caps lock only as a bit of an afterthought.

Personally I do like windowed/shine through caps lock and scroll lock, even if the keyboard has no lighting for it.
I wonder if people would actually prefer that to be the standard/default in base kits, as opposed to the non windowed variant.

Ahh I see, personally I love all my windowed keys, even if my preferred layout is smaller, but that’s just me. Usually it’s in the extension kit in past kkb set, though how much would a key or two add?

Well you've convinced me to revise the add-on kit to add the other windowed keys as I can see it being missed being annoying to certain completionists who like to collect them all. I'm not a heavy excel user, so perhaps I personally didn't see the value in a windowed Scroll Lock. Given that it's not in the base kit, and the add-on kit admittedly is for those who are willing to spend a bit more to cover a lot more layouts/looks. $2-3 extra is hopefully not a deal breaker for this kit.

Show Image

As a tangential aside, I personally would prefer this default cluster of legends of Print-Scroll-Pause to honestly be updated to something else more useful for a more modern audience for keycaps that aren't vintage themed. I know there's a few discussions like this from time to time, but it seems that there's not really a lot of consensus of good replacements. If it's text mods, I personally I like the idea of Prev-Play-Next, and potentially front-face printing UV legends of PrtSc, ScrLk, Pause etc. Other ideas I had was keeping Print, but changing Scroll to Lock (it's a bit more universal), and Pause to Mute (mute vol or mute mic). F13-F14-F15, is another idea, a bit more versatile and non-committal.

Splendid! Also about the default cluster, I do kinda like the idea of 'Lock' or something more universal, albeit I'm a big print screen user, but maybe those could be front facing prints. I think that would be pretty interesting to explore ngl.

Yeah I used to use the Print Screen button a fair bit, but gradually drifted to Win+Shift+S with my left hand is my go to print screen. I presume many people still use the Print Screen button though, so it's hard to abandon it as legend if one was revamping that cluster. Scroll Lock is primarily for excel users, but Lock would mean it could work as a quick Lock button for people who leave their workstation etc. I like Mute, since so many of us are on online voice chat/videoconferencing these days and muting the microphone is pretty common function we use. Or it can work as a quick media control button to mute volume. 

[Flib]

Hey there ! Very nice set, GJ and GL!

Can you tell why there's two dark ~ in R1 and no light one to match with the mods color ?

[Gemmmmmmmmmmmmmy]

In. Just curious about the missing shine-through non-stepped caps lock and scroll lock

Hi, I guess we were trying to minimise the add-on kit cost (as it is primarily a spacebars kit), and it didn't feel like there would be much use/interested in windowed versions of those particular keys. So I just left stepped caps lock only as a bit of an afterthought.

Personally I do like windowed/shine through caps lock and scroll lock, even if the keyboard has no lighting for it.
I wonder if people would actually prefer that to be the standard/default in base kits, as opposed to the non windowed variant.

Ahh I see, personally I love all my windowed keys, even if my preferred layout is smaller, but that’s just me. Usually it’s in the extension kit in past kkb set, though how much would a key or two add?

Well you've convinced me to revise the add-on kit to add the other windowed keys as I can see it being missed being annoying to certain completionists who like to collect them all. I'm not a heavy excel user, so perhaps I personally didn't see the value in a windowed Scroll Lock. Given that it's not in the base kit, and the add-on kit admittedly is for those who are willing to spend a bit more to cover a lot more layouts/looks. $2-3 extra is hopefully not a deal breaker for this kit.

Show Image

As a tangential aside, I personally would prefer this default cluster of legends of Print-Scroll-Pause to honestly be updated to something else more useful for a more modern audience for keycaps that aren't vintage themed. I know there's a few discussions like this from time to time, but it seems that there's not really a lot of consensus of good replacements. If it's text mods, I personally I like the idea of Prev-Play-Next, and potentially front-face printing UV legends of PrtSc, ScrLk, Pause etc. Other ideas I had was keeping Print, but changing Scroll to Lock (it's a bit more universal), and Pause to Mute (mute vol or mute mic). F13-F14-F15, is another idea, a bit more versatile and non-committal.

:-X :-X :-X

Splendid! Also about the default cluster, I do kinda like the idea of 'Lock' or something more universal, albeit I'm a big print screen user, but maybe those could be front facing prints. I think that would be pretty interesting to explore ngl.

Yeah I used to use the Print Screen button a fair bit, but gradually drifted to Win+Shift+S with my left hand is my go to print screen. I presume many people still use the Print Screen button though, so it's hard to abandon it as legend if one was revamping that cluster. Scroll Lock is primarily for excel users, but Lock would mean it could work as a quick Lock button for people who leave their workstation etc. I like Mute, since so many of us are on online voice chat/videoconferencing these days and muting the microphone is pretty common function we use. Or it can work as a quick media control button to mute volume.

Or maybe relegendables with front printing could work as well  ;D

[Bobatype]

Hey there ! Very nice set, GJ and GL!

Can you tell why there's two dark ~ in R1 and no light one to match with the mods color ?

Thanks. It's an oversight, thanks for pointing that out in the render. Appreciate it

[Bobatype]

Hi, Groupbuy date has been scheduled for early September instead.

In the meantime, it's been pointed out in the novelty kit there was an icon that could be problematic as it bears a resemblance to the rising sun motif associated with Imperial Japan. The icon was a loose reference to the Hanafuda earring design worn in the show, and we do not wish the design to be associated with such regime that committed horrific and brutal acts in WW2. In acknowledgment of these cultural sensitives, we will be immediately replacing those 2 earrings with 2 kitsune masks with alternate red patterns instead. Renders will be updated soon to reflect this change.

[Bobatype]

Hi,
Novelty kit has been updated with more Kitsune masks in place of the previous 2 earrings. There's now 4 masks, which means they can be also placed in F5-F8 cluster instead of the Nav Key cluster too.

Here's the new update:

[Ruby437]

This might be a bit of a stretch but any chance for a R3 katana or a red dragon? As a split BS user I feel like I lack options for an enter key accent.

[Bobatype]

This might be a bit of a stretch but any chance for a R3 katana or a red dragon? As a split BS user I feel like I lack options for an enter key accent.

The Enter Key accent is light metallic gray, and there are R3 Enter dragon novelties for ANSI and ISO that in the base kit 'accent'


Unfortunately, we're not planning to be doing any further novelty kit adjustments, as that is extra mold costs, and we're close to GB commencement date on September 1, 2025
 
The red dragon enter is an interesting proposal, as it won't cost a new mold, but ISO would also want one alongside ANSI, and that would continue bumping up the kit price... having 6 enters in a novelty kit is not optimal from a pricing perspective.

[morimx]

one more week for GB 

[Rassles]

This is gorgeous, Ive been looking for a grey set and this is definitely getting picked up!

[Bobatype]

Just a quick heads up that groupbuy for this keycap set that feats metallic silver legends starts today/tomorrow.

Aiglatson Studio joins as vendor for Thailand region.

Current Vendor List:
US - Divinikeys
CA - Unikeyboard
EU - Keygem
UK - Prototypist
OCE - Toro Studios
CN - zFrontier
KR - Geon.works
SG - Pantheonkeys
TH - Aiglatson Studio
IND - Keebsmark

I'll add hyperlinks to the list when I have active storefront listings. Several are now live

This is gorgeous, Ive been looking for a grey set and this is definitely getting picked up!

Thanks! Yes, can't go wrong with a grey set! Goes well with lots of keyboards regardless of the colour of the case