Serif Normal Onba 4 is a very bold, normal width, high contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, posters, book covers, editorial, branding, vintage, authoritative, bookish, formal, impactful serif, print texture, classic authority, display emphasis, bracketed, ball terminals, teardrop terminals, soft joins, tight spacing.
A very heavy text serif with pronounced bracketed serifs, compact counters, and strong thick–thin modulation. The design relies on rounded, ink-trap–like joins and teardrop/ball terminals that soften the overall mass, while keeping a sturdy, vertical stance. Uppercase forms feel broad and stable with generous serifs; lowercase shows a moderate x-height and dense internal spaces, producing a dark, continuous texture in paragraphs. Numerals are robust and old-style in spirit, with rounded bowls and strong finishing strokes.
Best suited to display and short text settings where its dark color and high contrast can be appreciated: headlines, magazine and newspaper-style editorial layouts, book jackets, and bold brand wordmarks. It can also work for pull quotes and section openers where a traditional serif voice is desired.
The font reads as traditional and editorial, with a slightly vintage, print-forward character. Its weight and crisp contrast convey authority and seriousness, while the rounded terminals add a touch of warmth and familiarity rather than austerity.
The design appears intended to deliver a classic text-serif voice in an extra-dark, attention-grabbing cut—combining conventional proportions with softened terminals and sturdy serifs to maintain legibility while maximizing impact.
In the sample text the rhythm is punchy and tightly set, creating a strong headline color and a confident presence at larger sizes. At smaller sizes, the heavy weight and compact apertures can make the texture feel dense, especially in letters with small counters such as e, a, and s.