ZONe mad hacker

Posted on April 27, 2021 | Last updated February 4, 2025

Released on April 27, 2021, ZONe Mad Hacker is the 6th flavor in the ZONe energy drink lineup.

The design features a background with coding on a screen, embodying the "Digital Performance Energy" vibe. From this can, it's hard to imagine the taste. Let's give it a try.

ZONe mad hacker

Manufacturer	Suntory foods
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	190 JPY
Flavor	Grape
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 ZONe mad hacker

The contents are a dull dark purple, with a faint grape juice scent wafting through. Let’s take a sip.
ZONe mad hacker
The taste is a sweet grape flavor, just as the scent suggests. It has a sweet, calm taste without any acidity or bitterness, with a flat profile. Although it contains 2% grape juice, there’s no fruity or pulp-like sensation. It’s a grape flavor similar to that of Fanta Grape, a carbonated sugary juice.

While there are energy drinks that take the artificial grape flavor even further with a more intense, bold taste, ZONe Mad Hacker offers a more subdued sweetness despite its presence.

In Japan, many people expect a "strong flavor, strong scent, chemical taste" in energy drinks, so reactions might lean toward feeling that there is no punch with this milder flavor, reminiscent of Fanta Grape.

ZONe mad hacker
That said, there’s no doubt that it has the sweetness of sugar, so I recommend adding ice to enjoy the sweetness and refreshing sensation.

With adjustments to the acidity, bitterness, and aroma, a richer, more intense grape flavor could have been made. Given that there’s also the tropical fruit flavor, ZONe Utopia, it’s possible they intentionally embraced this artificial taste.

Energy Ingredients of ZONe Mad Hacker

It contains 75mg of caffeine, 500mg of arginine, and 5g of palatinose, which provides a slow-release energy effect. These are common energy ingredients across the ZONe series. While the flavor didn’t feel particularly authentic, it does contain 2% grape juice.
ZONe mad hacker
While the ingredient amounts are consistent across the Ver1.0.0 series, the product name "Mad Hacker" could have benefited from slightly higher caffeine levels or the addition of awakening herbs to make it stand out as a more distinctive energy drink.

Design of ZONe Mad Hacker

ZONe mad hacker
The red power logo shines with a glitchy pixelated blur, and a screen filled with code in the background – it’s a perfect design for a product named "Mad Hacker."

ZONe mad hacker
The "HACKED" alert is a nice touch. By the way, there’s a programming contest called "HELLO SPACE" organized by ZONe.

ZONe mad hacker
The product name, can design, and promotion all match so well, elevating its value – it’s a marketing approach we haven’t seen much in Japan’s energy drink scene. I really enjoy seeing this (*´艸｀*)

As an energy drink for hackers, I do wish they’d have paid more attention to the ingredients aimed at hackers. Even if the amounts are minimal and have no noticeable effects, it would’ve been fun to look at the ingredient list for that "entertainment" value unique to energy drinks.

ZONe mad hacker
I can personally relate to the immersion into the black and green screen world (ｕ_ｕ*) It’d be great to see it displayed alongside ZONe FIREWALL in stores.