HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA

Posted on March 21, 2025 | Last updated April 3, 2025

Review of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA, released on April 8, 2025.

This product is a renewed version of HYPER ZONe WHITE PEACE, which was released on February 27, 2024. While the flavor and ingredients remain unchanged, the name and design have been updated to better reflect the taste, making it more approachable for those who don’t usually drink energy drinks.

HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA

Manufacturer	Suntory foods
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	203 JPY
Flavor	Calpico、Probioticdrink
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.

Flavor of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA

Upon opening, a sweet and refreshing lactic acid drink aroma bursts out. The liquid inside has a milky white, Calpis-like appearance. Now, let’s give it a try.
Flavor of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA
As soon as it touches the tongue, a sweet, creamy, and refreshing carbonated lactic acid drink flavor spreads throughout the mouth. It has a moderate sweetness and richness, perfectly balanced with the crispness of carbonation, making it easy to drink.

The aftertaste leaves behind a mild residue and sweetness characteristic of lactic acid drinks, without being overwhelming. At refrigerator temperature, you can enjoy its refreshing sweetness and clean finish. Personally, I feel it’s more satisfying to drink without ice.

Energy Ingredients of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA

Energy Ingredients of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA
Contains 150mg of caffeine and 400mg of arginine. There are no changes to the energy ingredients from the previous version. However, with 54.8g of sugar, it’s best to be mindful of overconsumption.
Unhealthiest Energy Drinks in the World – High Sugar Ranked

Design of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA

The purpose of this renewal from HYPER ZONe WHITE PEACE to HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA was to create "a name and design that makes the flavor easier to imagine (according to the press release)."

Unlike ZONe’s previous approach of slightly tweaking the contents and updating the version label on the top of the can, this time, the entire concept of the product has been significantly changed.

Now, let's take a look at the redesigned HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA.
Design of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA
With the name "WHITE SODA," the pop-style dotted design, the blue-and-white color scheme, and the image of a glass filled with the drink, anyone can instantly picture the flavor inside.

Design of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA
The addition of "乳性ソーダ" (lactic soda) beneath the "WHITE SODA" name further clarifies that this is a carbonated lactic acid drink.

The depiction of bubbles dancing around the glass is a common design choice for carbonated beverages, effectively conveying the product’s effervescence.

That said, the "ZONe essence"—a dark, cool, and slightly mysterious vibe that was practically synonymous with cringe-worthy aesthetics—has been completely erased. Looking at social media, there are voices questioning ZONe’s new direction after this renewal.

Comparison of Old and New Designs & Analysis

A Bold Move Away from the Traditional Energy Drink Image

Let’s compare it with the previous WHITE PEACE design.
Design of HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA
The previous WHITE PEACE design effectively captured the essence of an energy drink by leaving room for consumers to imagine its world without excessive detail. Without a doubt, the older design had a stronger energy drink aesthetic.

Conversely, the new HYPER ZONe WHITE SODA design completely flips the script by embracing a clear and easy-to-understand naming and design approach (as mentioned in the press release). If this strategy allows the brand to reach a wider audience than before, then the renewal can be considered a success.

This change feels like a rebranding for ZONe, making a significant impact. I decided to dig deeper into the design and labeling choices.

How Well Does the Cringe-Worthy, Hard-to-Decipher Flavor Naming Actually Resonate with a Broader Audience?

Even Monster Energy, known for its over-the-top, cringe-worthy names, has started adding flavor descriptions to some of its more obscurely named products in overseas markets.

In the U.S., a wave of new energy drink brands is rapidly expanding its market share, and almost all of them feature clearly defined flavors. Their approach not only enhances clarity but also allows them to attract consumers who previously had little interest in energy drinks. These emerging brands strike a strong balance between cool branding and accessibility.

What Works Best for Japanese Consumers? Can the Fanbase Expand Even Further?

While the American market has adopted a new strategy to appeal to a wider audience, what’s the best approach to expand the consumer base in Japan? Moving beyond just the regular energy drink consumers, how can brands reach an even broader demographic? This renewal might be one of ZONe’s tests to answer that question.

Personally, I think this renewal is quite clear and effective, but at the same time, the drastic shift from ZONe’s established brand image feels extreme. Ideally, I think they will settle on a middle ground that balances the new design with elements of their original aesthetic.