[Review] - ENERGY DRINK MANIA

Posted on December 25, 2019 | Last updated February 9, 2025

Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless
Seiyu's private brand energy drink has introduced a sugar-free, zero-calorie Sugarless version.

This is the second release in the Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink line, and with the launch of Sugarless, the design has been revamped from the previous version to a more striking appearance.

Manufacturer	Seiyu
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	158 JPY
Flavor	classic flavor
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.

Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless Taste

Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless
A classic, standard color. It’s a slightly lighter yellow. The sweet aroma is the same as the full-sugar original.

Upon tasting, the first thing you notice is the artificial sweetener flavor. It’s not the smooth sweetness of sugar but rather a tart flavor, giving off a very “zero” feel. It’s not recommended for those who dislike sugar-free flavors.

If we’re talking about similar zero-calorie options, think Red Bull Sugarfree. If you like Red Bull Sugarfree more than the original, you’ll likely enjoy Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless as well.

I decided to do a side-by-side comparison with the original while reviewing the Sugarless version.
Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless
The flavors are almost identical, but the original has a smooth, rounded sweetness, whereas the Sugarless version has a more subdued sweetness. The difference is clear, so it’s really about your personal preference.

Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless Energy Ingredients

Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless
It contains 160mg of caffeine and 450mg of arginine. It boasts one of the highest caffeine levels in Japan. If you regularly consume caffeine through coffee or other sources, it’s wise to be cautious.

Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless Design

With the release of Sugarless, the can design for Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink has been updated. It’s so flashy, it’s hard to believe it’s from a private brand. The design and font made me laugh when I first saw them!

By the way, all of Seiyu's Minasama no Osumitsuki products undergo a satisfaction test before being released. Only those with a support rate of over 80% can be launched. The support rate for the Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink - Sugarless was 87.1%.

Considering the original Minasama no Osumitsuki Energy Drink had a support rate of 90.2%, it’s possible that the taste of artificial sweeteners had an impact. I'm curious to see how much the 3% difference in support rate affects actual sales. This test is conducted regularly, and if a product falls below 80%, it’s discontinued. Strict!