Mad Croc Energy Cola

Posted on April 13, 2015 | Last updated February 13, 2025

This is the Mad Croc Energy Cola that is sold in Japan.
I rarely come across it in stores anymore, but I finally found it on sale, and this is what I got.

Mad Croc Energy Cola

Manufacturer	Mad Croc
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	200 JPY
Flavor	Cola
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.

Mad Croc Energy Cola (Japanese Version) Flavor

This is the second flavor of Mad Croc sold in Japan, and it's Cola.
The aroma is sweet and refreshing, similar to Pepsi Cola, and the color is a rich, dark red-black, just like cola.

Mad Croc Energy Cola
As for the taste, it’s as expected—just an ordinary cola without any special or distinctive Mad Croc twist.
The sweetness doesn’t linger, and it has a refreshing mouthfeel, but it doesn’t have the blandness or watery thinness of zero-sugar drinks. It’s a delicious cola, perfect for gulping down with pizza.

There’s nothing particularly unique in terms of taste or aroma, so it’s easy to drink and enjoy. However, if asked whether I’d pay 200 yen for a 190ml can, I’d say most people probably wouldn’t.

If there were already a lot of Mad Croc fans, it might sell a bit better in a 250ml size. However, it seems difficult to imagine this size selling well right from the start in Japan.

Mad Croc Energy Cola (Japanese Version) Energy Ingredients

Mad Croc Energy Cola
It contains 95mg of caffeine, 228mg of arginine, and B-vitamins.
There aren’t any particularly exciting energy ingredients, but I think the classic components, like Red Bull, are sufficient.
Personally, I have no problem with this ingredient list.

Clear and Classic Energy Drink, But Tough in Japan

By 2014, Mad Croc had almost disappeared from shelves, but there’s no doubt that the taste and ingredients are all quite standard and make for a very good energy drink.

It’s impressive that it was launched at such an early stage, but perhaps it tried to ride the wave too aggressively with the 190ml mini size. It’s quite expensive. Additionally, the brand doesn’t have much recognition in Japan.

I think it should have been launched in at least a 250ml can. The flavor of this Mad Croc Energy Cola is almost identical to regular Pepsi Cola, so it’s hard to justify paying a high price for an energy drink. Also, the red crocodile logo might have given it an image of being a knockoff or latecomer product, similar to Red Bull.

On the other hand, I think it was a great decision for Monster to launch their larger 335ml cans. They already had some brand recognition, and compared to other mini-sized or 250ml cans, they managed to convey the "crazy American energy drink" vibe, all at a comparable price.

Mad Croc, in addition to the original, had the cola flavor from the start, so I imagine a lot of effort went into it. But it’s quite a shame that it didn’t take off. I personally want to support it, but it’s hard to find in stores now. I hope they will consider increasing the can size, adding new flavors, or making some changes to better showcase the brand in Japan.