Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy

Posted on February 12, 2021 | Last updated February 5, 2025

Released in February 2020, Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy is part of the Gabu-nomi series from Pokka Sapporo, and is a product that gives off an "energy drink" vibe.

Since it doesn't explicitly say "energy drink" on the label, I initially considered classifying it as a similar product. However, since this is part of a series that will be strengthened in the future, I will treat it as a standalone "Gabu-nomi Energy Series" and proceed with the review and evaluation.

Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy

Manufacturer	Pokka Sapporo
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	140 JPY
Flavor	Cherry、Perfumes & Air Fresheners
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.

Refreshing Sweet Cherry & Floral Flavor

The content is a refreshing pale cherry blossom color with an artificial floral fragrance.
Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy
Upon sipping, a faint cherry sweetness, a slight chemical aftertaste, and a sakura-mochi-like fragrance fill the mouth. There’s no acidity, and the artificial sweetness is very prominent, almost as if intentionally bringing the unpleasantness of artificial sweeteners to the forefront.

The flavor replicates the common impression that "energy drinks taste artificial," with no umami, and the main flavor is an artificial sweetness. The official product description of Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy claims that it offers the taste of modern energy drinks in a large volume, but if you’re expecting the flavor of classic energy drinks like Red Bull, this one is completely different, so be warned.

The Gabu-nomi series targets middle and high school boys who want to drink large amounts of carbonated drinks. Personally, I couldn’t even finish 500ml of this Freedom Energy flavor, but I think the best way to enjoy it is to add ice and drink it without thinking, quenching your thirst in one go, as the name suggests.
Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy
So, I tried drinking it with a large amount of ice. The sweetness became surprisingly refreshing and transparent, and it definitely tasted better than when at fridge temperature.

However, the artificial flavor lingered, and since I’m not a fan of the aftertaste of artificial sweeteners, I still couldn’t finish the 500ml... About 250ml seems to be the perfect amount. But, if that’s the case, the premise of the Gabu-nomi series kind of falls apart, right? (^_^;)

Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy’s Energy Ingredients

Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy
Contains 77mg of caffeine. Since it's a large volume, it seems difficult to overdose on caffeine just from drinking Freedom Energy, as you’ll likely be too full to continue before reaching that point. It’s clear that the product is made for middle and high school boys, so it doesn’t focus on high caffeine content.

Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy’s Design

Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy
The smooth matte black label with prominent pink is eye-catching. The pop, pirate-like skull on the flag is a nice touch, not overdone, and the "Release" phrase at the top adds a bit of that cringe-worthy "chuunibyou" vibe.

Gabu-nomi Freedom Energy
The black section of the label features a wavy design, and when paired with the pirate flag, it creates an unexpectedly intricate effect.

The contrast between the sakura-colored content visible through the transparent bottle and the bold pink and black packaging is a perfect combination. It’s a straightforward design that’s quintessential for bottled products, and its matching of the label and the contents creates a fantastic pop impression.

The overall design, including the label and the contents, shows a high level of completion, which is impressive.