The energy drink 'HYPER ZONe' has had its taste completely redesigned, so we tried drinking it and comparing it

It was announced that the energy drink brand ZONe ENERGY's ' HYPER ZONe ' will be renewed with a new taste and package on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, and this renewed version will be distributed in a limited advance from Thursday, April 25, 2024 in a 'uncanned' package, which means 'a can with an unfinished design'. The renewed version of HYPER ZONe arrived from ZONe ENERGY to the GIGAZINE editorial department, so we tried drinking it to see what has changed from the conventional HYPER ZONe.

ZONe ENERGY official website

On Tuesday, May 28th, HYPER ZONe will be renewed to have an overwhelmingly awakening taste.

I wanted to try it as soon as possible,
We'll be distributing the designs on the streets while they're still incomplete!

Distribution areas are Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

The distribution of 'Uncanned' is for a limited time,
If you meet them, you'll be super lucky! … pic.twitter.com/GnNTb0fcmk

— ZONe ENERGY (@zone_energy_jp) April 25, 2024

On the left is the renewed version of HYPER ZONe in an uncanned package. On the right is the current version of HYPER ZONe that is on the market at the time of writing. The uncanned package is incomplete, so it only has 'G 5.28 DEBUT' written lightly on the black package.

On the back is the copy 'Tagiru. Exceed.' The caffeine content is 150mg per bottle, and a table of the upper limit of consumption and warnings are also written.

We compared the ingredients of the renewed version (left) and the current version (right). The ingredients are mostly the same, but the renewed version has added 'salt' that is not included in the current version. On the other hand, the renewed version does not contain 'halatinose' and 'taurine (extract)' that were included in the current version.

The calorie count for the renewed version (left) was 196 kcal per bottle, while the current version (right) was 208 kcal per bottle. The renewed version has slightly less calories. The caffeine content remains the same at 150 mg per bottle, but the arginine content has dropped slightly from 800 mg in the current version to 500 mg in the renewed version.

I poured it into a clear glass to see the color of the contents.

Comparing them, the renewed version (left) is slightly yellower than the current version (right).

When comparing the two drinks, the carbonation and the flavor peculiar to energy drinks are the same, but the renewed version has a stronger aroma peculiar to energy drinks than the current version, and the aroma lingers a little even after drinking. In addition, the renewed version seemed to have a slightly stronger fruity acidity than the current version. The editorial staff who tasted it said, 'The renewed version feels more stimulating when drinking, and has a stronger energy drink-like image,' 'The current version may be refreshing. The renewed version seems to have a slightly stronger taste and aroma,' and 'When comparing the taste, you can somehow tell that the taste has changed, but it's difficult to put into words what has changed specifically, so even people who are used to drinking the current version will likely accept it.'

The renewed version of HYPER ZONe will be available for purchase from Tuesday, May 28, 2024. In addition, the renewed version of HYPER ZONe will be distributed in advance in Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo (14:00-21:30), Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture (12:00-20:00), and Umeda, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (12:00-20:00) from April 25 to May 26, 2024. It is said that there will be only about 240,000 copies, so if you are interested, please check it out early.