Midori MD Note Horizontal Ruled line
Brand: Midori
Best for
Best Midori MD
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 2 trusted sources
Current price
$16.50
Updated May 18, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
The Midori MD Notebook is the minimalist counterpoint to feature-heavy Leuchtturm, and across the reviewers we read it has near-universal love. Jetpens.com (high-trust) describes the line-ruled version's bold center line and sturdy binding, and r/notebooks threads repeatedly highlight the same standout trait: it lays completely flat from page one without breaking the spine. Mountainofink.com confirms the paper 'handles fountain pens really well,' with 'no bleeding, average show through and no feathering.' The consensus on r/fountainpens is that switching to Midori MD changes how writing feels — one frequently cited thread describes it as 'captivating and elegant,' praising the unmarked cover and intentional minimalism.
What reviewers liked
- Jetpens.com and multiple r/notebooks threads confirm the binding lays completely flat without spine-breaking
- Mountainofink.com reports excellent fountain pen handling: no bleed, minimal show-through, no feathering
- r/fountainpens consensus praises the minimalist unmarked cover and writing feel
- Faster ink dry times than thicker premium papers per r/notebooks
Where it falls short
- No numbered pages, index, or bullet-journal scaffolding — strictly minimalist
- r/notebooks comparison threads note the cover is plain card stock, not hardcover, so it shows wear
- Smaller page count than Leuchtturm equivalents at a similar price
- Limited ruling and size selection compared to Leuchtturm's lineup
The Midori MD Notebook is the minimalist counterpoint to feature-heavy Leuchtturm, and across the reviewers we read it has near-universal love. Jetpens.com (high-trust) describes the line-ruled version's bold center line and sturdy binding, and r/notebooks threads repeatedly highlight the same standout trait: it lays completely flat from page one without breaking the spine. Mountainofink.com confirms the paper 'handles fountain pens really well,' with 'no bleeding, average show through and no feathering.'
The consensus on r/fountainpens is that switching to Midori MD changes how writing feels — one frequently cited thread describes it as 'captivating and elegant,' praising the unmarked cover and intentional minimalism. A separate r/notebooks comparison thread (Stalogy vs Midori MD) confirms the paper quality holds up against other Japanese premium options. The trade-off is the same trade-off across this whole category: the paper is a touch absorbent, so dry times are fast but very wet nibs may show light ghosting.
If you want page numbers, an index, or pre-printed bullet journal scaffolding, this isn't that notebook — and reviewers are clear about it. If you want paper-first minimalism with binding that genuinely lays flat, the consensus is decisive.
- midori brand
- The quality of the paper is good
- Writing comfort is the highest
Lays Completely Flat: The spine lets the notebooks lie flat without any spine breaking. It's the perfect way to write on something - not ...
I really like it so far. It lays very flat, much flatter than any webbie I have used. The paper is a bit more absorbent (fast dry time for ink) ...
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“Midori MD Notebook Review” · YouTube
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