Explosion ENERGY DRINK

Posted on May 25, 2014 | Last updated February 21, 2025

XPLOSION Energy Drink
XPLOSION is a domestically produced energy drink. Unfortunately, it's not commonly found in convenience stores or supermarkets. However, among Japanese energy drinks, it stands out as the most meticulously formulated, delivering a serious energy boost.

It's impressive that, since its release in 2014, no other domestic energy drink has surpassed it in terms of ingredients and formulation.

Explosion ENERGY DRINK

Manufacturer	Explosion
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	276 JPY
Flavor	classic 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.

High-Quality Formulation with Outstanding Flavor and Aroma

The moment you open the can, a slightly medicinal yet pleasant sweetness fills the air, heightening anticipation.

The liquid is a light yellow, with a moderate level of carbonation that releases an inviting energy drink aroma as it's poured.

The taste is a mix of classic energy drink flavors and vitamin-based beverages, featuring a strong acidity likely due to its high citric acid content.

While not as sweet as Monster or Red Bull, it maintains that signature energy drink sweetness, striking a great balance between taste and aroma.

A Blend of the Best Qualities from Major Energy Drinks

XPLOSION boasts a highly refined energy drink flavor—sweet, but not overwhelmingly so, making it accessible to a wide audience.

It leans slightly toward the taste of vitamin drinks, but the lingering sweet and tangy aftertaste, along with a distinct chemical-like kick, gives it a resemblance to the original Rockstar.

Overall, it successfully integrates the best aspects of major energy drinks, making it a great choice for those who love the classic energy drink taste and aroma.

Powerful Energy Ingredients and a Unique Labeling Approach

With 167.5mg of caffeine, XPLOSION ranks among the highest caffeine-content drinks in Japan—twice the amount found in Red Bull (which always seems to be the default comparison, poor thing… lol).

The pronounced acidity comes from 1.25g of citric acid, a notable amount for this type of beverage.

XPLOSION Energy Drink
Additionally, the ingredient list highlights an “XPLOSION Original Blend,” which includes α-GPC, guarana, L-phenylalanine, and L-tyrosine.

Regardless of the actual benefits, the phrase "○○ Blend" itself gives off a very fitting energy drink vibe. Since the creator is a professional athlete and an energy drink enthusiast, this attention to detail in both formulation and labeling really stands out.

However, the pull-tab and other can features remain standard—probably because customizing them would drive up costs unnecessarily.

The Key Factor: Promotion

It's unclear what marketing strategies XPLOSION is employing, but simply advertising its high ingredient content might not be enough for widespread success.

With such a well-crafted energy drink, it would be great to see it available in more convenience stores nationwide.

However, energy drinks are notoriously tricky to market—just airing commercials won’t create a strong connection with consumers. It'll be interesting to see how XPLOSION positions itself in the future.