MONSTER ENERGY RIPPER (Japan)

Posted on July 1, 2025 | Last updated July 2, 2025

This is a review of the Monster Energy Ripper, released on July 1, 2025. It features 23% juice content, which is 3% more than the version released in the United States.

The "JUICE MONSTER RIPPER," which debuted in the U.S. in 2014 (link), has already been discontinued. Rather than the common promotional phrase "launched in Japan," the expression "revived in Japan" better fits those who enjoyed it back in the U.S. at that time.

Could it be possible to drink the Ripper from those days again in Japan!?

Now, let's take a detailed look at the Monster Energy Ripper with its Japan-specific 23% juice content.

MONSTER ENERGY RIPPER (Japan)

Manufacturer	MONSTER ENERGY
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	203 JPY
Flavor	Pineapple
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 8,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Flavor of Monster Energy Ripper

When you open the can, a sweet pineapple aroma bursts out, accompanied by tropical fruit mix scents of guava and passion fruit. Now, let's give it a taste.
Flavor of Monster Energy Ripper
On the palate, the main flavor is sweet and sour pineapple, followed by a tropical fruit mix of papaya, passion fruit, and guava.

The mouthfeel is light and much milder than what you would expect from a 23% juice content.

This seems to be a Japan-specific recipe designed for a light throat feel, allowing you to easily drink the 355ml can in one go, perfect for a summer tropical fruit flavor.

While it is easy to drink, there is no sense of fruit fiber, and it lacks the rich, juicy taste and texture. Also, the flavoring that would create a sense of fruit pulp feels a bit weak.

As with the original American version, Monster Energy Ripper is not a flavor that emphasizes acidity but rather centers around a sweet pineapple taste.

Therefore, Ripper was originally a flavor limited in its expression of acidity that enhances the lasting sensation of fruit in the mouth — the so-called "satisfaction." Additionally, the Japanese version’s restrained flavoring combined with Ripper's characteristic mild acidity naturally results in a taste that feels milder than the 23% juice content number might suggest.

Because of this, some might be disappointed by the light and soft drinking experience that could even be reproduced without actual juice. (Especially those who have tried Ripper overseas at the time.)

For this Japanese version of Monster Energy Ripper, we recommend drinking it with plenty of ice.
Flavor of Monster Energy Ripper
Adding ice enhances the refreshing feeling and lightens the sweetness of the pineapple, allowing you to enjoy a fresh pineapple flavor.

With ice, the subtle carbonation adds a light刺激, completing a refreshing, summer-appropriate pineapple-based tropical fruit flavor. If you find the Ripper's taste somewhat lacking, please try it with ice.

Energy Ingredients of Monster Energy Ripper

Energy Ingredients of Monster Energy Ripper
Contains 134mg caffeine, 177.55mg arginine, 274.7mg ginseng, and 10mg carnitine.

The 23% juice content is composed of a variety of fruits including apple, passion fruit, pineapple, guava, orange, and lemon.

Design of Monster Energy Ripper

The can is a solid yellow color reminiscent of the pineapple-based tropical fruit flavor.
Design of Monster Energy Ripper
The entire can is finished with a rough textured coating, and the design is created using color gradations. This appearance may evoke nostalgic memories for those who experienced Ripper released overseas 10 years ago.

Dorin-kun was reminded of drinking Ripper during summers in the U.S. and Canada. How nostalgic...

On the back, there is a Monster Energy-style energy poem.
Design of Monster Energy Ripper
The flavor name is not explicitly stated on the can, but reading this energy poem should evoke images of the tropical fruit flavors of Hawaii.

History of Monster Energy Ripper

American and Japanese Designs

Here is the American version of Monster Energy Ripper released in 2014.
Design of Monster Energy Ripper
The design and color appear nearly perfect as a revived Japanese version. Who would have imagined that this yellow Ripper, drunk in North America 10 years ago, would be reborn in Japan in 2025!?

Transition from M-80 to Ripper

Before being renewed into this solid yellow Monster Energy Ripper, there was the "MONSTER ENERGY M-80" containing a remarkable 80% juice.
Monster Energy Ripper and M-80
Chronologically, "MONSTER ENERGY M-80" (left) in North America was renewed into "MONSTER ENERGY RIPPER" (center). Then, in 2025, it was revived in Japan (right). This is the general flow of Ripper's changes to date.

This solid yellow Monster Energy Ripper lost some of the design appeal typical of Monster Energy compared to M-80, and thus was not very well received at the time. However, now that it has been revived in Japan, it is curious how it brings back nostalgic feelings of "the Monster Energy of those days" for those who drank it in America.

The product name "Ripper," originally used in Europe, came to be used in North America

"Monster Energy Ripper" was originally a product name used in Europe.

Here is the "MONSTER ENERGY RIPPER" that was sold in Europe at that time. When placing the 473ml North American product and the 500ml European product side by side, it looks like this.
Monster Energy Ripper and M-80
Though the product names differ, both contain the same tropical fruit flavor.

As mentioned earlier, MONSTER ENERGY M-80 originally got its name from its extraordinarily high 80% juice content. However, the juice content gradually decreased to 30%, and then when it was renewed into Ripper in 2014, it dropped further to 20%.
Monster Energy Ripper and M-80
It is believed that the product name "M-80," which no longer reflected the juice content, was changed in the 2014 renewal to match the European MONSTER ENERGY RIPPER.

Let's touch a bit on the history of Monster Energy Ripper.

Currently, Monster Energy Ripper seems to be sold in only a few countries like the UK, while it has been discontinued in most countries including its home country, the U.S. No one could have imagined that it would now be revived as a "new product" in Japan.

The unexpected revival of Monster Energy Ripper. Whether you're a longtime fan or trying it for the first time, be sure to enjoy it with plenty of ice on hot days for a refreshing, summery taste.