Sans Superellipse Rikoh 9 is a regular weight, narrow, medium contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, branding, signage, retro, industrial, elegant, architectural, editorial, space-saving, display impact, softened modernism, signage flavor, condensed, rounded, monolinear, high-waisted, closed apertures.
A condensed, rounded-rect sans with tall proportions and softly squared curves that read as superellipse-like rather than fully circular. Strokes are mostly monolinear with subtle contrast at joints, and terminals are consistently rounded, giving vertical stems a smooth, tube-like finish. The lowercase shows compact bowls and relatively closed apertures (notably in c/e/s), while ascenders and capitals stand tall and narrow for an efficient, stacked rhythm. Numerals are similarly condensed with simplified forms and rounded corners, maintaining a uniform, poster-ready texture across lines.
Best suited to display settings where its condensed width and tall stance can create strong vertical presence—headlines, posters, packaging, and brand marks. It also works for short editorial pulls or signage where a distinctive, compact sans is desired without becoming sharp or aggressive.
The overall tone feels retro-futurist and industrial: clean and engineered, but softened by rounded corners. It conveys a controlled, modernist confidence with a hint of mid‑century signage and editorial display styling.
The font appears designed to deliver a space-saving, high-impact sans voice with rounded-rectangle geometry and a disciplined rhythm. Its intention is likely to combine modern clarity with a recognizable retro-industrial character, staying legible while remaining stylized.
The design leans on verticality and tight internal counters, producing a dark, cohesive color in text. Curves are built from squared-off arcs, and joins stay calm and consistent, emphasizing an orderly, constructed feel rather than calligraphic movement.