Kokuyo's Jibun Techo 2027 range introduces limited sheep illustrations by Seiji Matsumoto. They appear on DAYs, a page-per-day planner, and the three-book First Kit.
On August 7, 2026, Kokuyo announced a phased release from mid-September of that year. Store launch dates vary.
The sheep colors differ by series
The rounded sheep illustrations mark 2027, the Year of the Sheep in the Japanese zodiac. Limited designs and regular colors are divided as follows.
| Range | Limited sheep designs by Seiji Matsumoto | Regular colors outside the collaboration |
|---|---|---|
| DAYs | Blue, yellow | Gray, pink |
| First Kit | Orange, blue | White, pink |
The yellow sheep design is available on DAYs, while the orange sheep design is available on First Kit. Check the layout inside as well as your preferred color.
DAYs gives daily entries more space
DAYs provides one page per day with a T-shaped timeline built around a central 24-hour axis. The left and right sides can hold different information, such as work and family schedules, or tasks and a record of what you did.
A horizontal row of dates and weekdays helps locate the day within the week. If you want more room for daily notes, compare this with a weekly spread before choosing.
First Kit separates weekly planning from long-term records
First Kit combines DIARY for the year's schedule, LIFE for lasting personal and family records, and IDEA, a grid notebook. DIARY uses a weekly layout with a 24-hour axis for reviewing how you spend the week.
Keeping lasting information in LIFE and free-form notes in IDEA reduces the need to rewrite them alongside each year's schedule. People who already use LIFE or IDEA can also choose DIARY on its own.
First Kit uses THIN PAPER, which the manufacturer describes as thin and light with reduced show-through.
Biz and Lite offer other weekly options
If you are considering designs beyond the limited covers, Biz and Lite are also worth comparing.
| Series | Main features | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Biz | A 24-hour vertical weekly layout and monthly calendar grid, subdued colors and typography, and MIO PAPER | How much the appearance of work pages and the paper matter to you |
| Lite | A 24-hour vertical weekly layout with fewer predefined fields | Whether a larger number of fields would feel burdensome |
Separately sold LIFE and IDEA booklets can be fitted to Standard (DIARY) and Biz, but cannot be fitted to Lite or DAYs. Check this distinction if you want to carry all three books together.
If you are deciding between weekly and page-per-day layouts, the comparison of monthly, weekly, and daily planners explains the tradeoff between writing space and an overview of your schedule.
Check the edition, size, and contents before buying
Similar product names can refer to different packages: DIARY alone and First Kit include different booklets. Check these details before buying.
- That it is the 2027 edition and covers the dates you need.
- The size of the specific item, such as A5 Slim or B6 Slim.
- Whether it has a sheep design or a regular color, and a DAYs or weekly layout.
- Whether it includes a cover or is a refill, and whether LIFE and IDEA are included.
The launch announcement does not establish current stock or restock plans for the limited designs. Even when you find the cover you want, checking the edition, model number, and package contents alongside the photos helps avoid ordering the wrong version.