Lifeguard X

Posted on May 20, 2014 | Last updated February 21, 2025

Lifeguard X, the first-ever energy drink from Cheerio, has been released.

Priced at just 100 yen per can, this budget-friendly energy drink has been on the market since the energy drink boom of 2014. In 2019, a 500ml version was also introduced, making it a long-selling product.

Lifeguard X

Manufacturer	Cheerio
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	100 JPY
Flavor	Chemicals
Total rating	★★☆☆☆

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Chemically Sweetened Vitamin Carbonated Drink

Lifeguard X
The moment you pop it open, a strong chemical-like aroma bursts out. Ah, so this is the typical scent people associate with energy drinks... Just from the smell, you can already guess how it’s going to taste.

As expected, it tastes like a chemically-infused vitamin drink. It’s not overly sweet, but it also doesn’t have the strong acidity of typical vitamin drinks, making for a mild flavor. Some might find it lacking in punch.

The taste doesn’t linger on the tongue, but the chemical-like and perfume-like aroma remains. While it lacks the Mogu-Mogu texture, the lingering fragrance provides both a sense of satisfaction and a feeling that it's "working."

Some people may genuinely enjoy the taste of Lifeguard X, but I feel like it's particularly appealing to those who think, “I just need an energy drink for 100 yen; I don’t really care about pricier options like Red Bull.”

Energy Ingredients of Lifeguard X

Lifeguard X contains 4,000mg of maca, 75mg of caffeine, 375mg of arginine, and 150mg of vitamin C. The ingredients are fairly standard. Additionally, it includes honey and royal jelly.

It’s unclear if this was specifically targeted at men, but the inclusion of maca certainly caught people’s attention. The amount is comparable to, if not more than, what’s found in some dietary supplements—quite surprising! (^_^;)

Design of Lifeguard X

At first glance, the design looks cool enough to be mistaken for a foreign energy drink. The glossy gold finish is a nice touch, and the Lifeguard logo stands out beautifully.

Lifeguard X
However, with the huge “X” dominating the front, the product name isn’t immediately clear… Is it “X Energy”??

After the nationwide release following a redesign, the “Lifeguard X” logo was added to the back.

Lifeguard X
Interestingly, this wasn’t the case when it was first released as a convenience store exclusive in 2014. The can design has been updated multiple times.

Back then, the product name “Lifeguard X” only appeared in the product description near the ingredient list, which felt a bit underwhelming. It seems the logo was added after its limited convenience store release.

A handy 250ml can, a light chemical flavor, and the Lifeguard brand—perhaps that’s why it has remained popular.

Lifeguard X 500ml Can Released in 2019

Since its debut in 2014, Lifeguard X has continued to be sold, and in 2019, a 500ml can was suddenly introduced. While it wasn’t available in many stores, I occasionally spotted it at 7-Eleven.

Lifeguard X
The flavor remained the same, but the energy ingredients doubled: 8,000mg of maca, 150mg of caffeine, and 300mg of vitamin C. That’s an impressive amount—especially the maca!

While the light, chemical-like, slightly perfume-scented flavor makes it easy to drink, finishing a full 500ml can is quite a challenge. Personally, I think a quick 250ml serving is just right. Even a 350ml can might feel like too much.