Serif Normal Boken 9 is a bold, normal width, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Oranda' by Bitstream, 'Classic Round' and 'Classic XtraRound' by Durotype, 'Diaria Pro' by Mint Type, 'Oranda' by Tilde, and 'Portada' by TypeTogether (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: body text, editorial, books, headlines, branding, classic, bookish, stately, warm, traditional, text durability, warm readability, traditional voice, strong presence, bracketed, ball terminals, oldstyle figures, robust, rounded.
A robust serif with bracketed serifs and noticeably rounded terminals that soften the overall color. Strokes are sturdy with moderate contrast, and counters are fairly open, giving the face a steady, readable rhythm at text sizes. The serifs read as traditional and slightly cushioned rather than razor-sharp, and many joins and corners show gentle rounding. Uppercase proportions feel compact and solid, while the lowercase maintains a conventional structure with a clear two-storey a and g and a generous, rounded i/j dot.
It performs well in editorial environments such as books, magazines, and long-form reading where a strong serif presence is desired. The substantial weight and softened details also make it suitable for headlines, packaging copy, and brand systems that want a traditional, dependable voice.
The font conveys a classic, bookish tone with a friendly warmth. Its weight and rounded finishing lend it a confident, slightly nostalgic presence—formal enough for traditional settings, but approachable rather than austere.
The design appears intended as a conventional text serif with extra robustness and rounded finishing to maintain clarity and warmth in print-like settings. It aims to balance traditional letterforms and comfortable readability with a heavier, more emphatic typographic color.
Figures appear oldstyle, with varying heights and descenders that blend naturally with lowercase text. Overall spacing looks comfortable and even, producing a dark but controlled text color that suits continuous reading and sturdy display copy alike.