KEEB JOURNAL tracks keyboard industry trends based on Greenkeys access data from the previous month.
June 2026 was a month marked by significant interest in split keyboards, integrated trackball keyboards, low-profile split keyboards, and JIS layout models, centered around the buzz surrounding the Keychron × Gizmodo split keyboard “Orca echo.”
Let’s take a look at the trends for June 2026.
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Greenkeys Access Overview for June 2026
Total page views for Greenkeys in June 2026 were 253,181 PV.
Among these, Orca echo-related articles were read extensively.
Interest also spread to related category articles such as Cornix LP, Elimkeys Elytra, beekeeb Toucan2, and Keychron J9.
Most-Read Articles Ranking for June 2026
The top 10 articles accounted for approximately 40.5% of total monthly page views.
In June, Orca echo-related articles were particularly strong, with multiple articles—including the announcement, hands-on, crowdfunding launch, and funding updates—read consecutively.
Top Content: Keychron × Gizmodo Announces New “Orca echo”
The most-read article in June was the announcement of the new keyboard “Orca echo” by Keychron × Gizmodo.
Orca echo is a distinctive keyboard featuring a 40% split layout with an integrated trackball and scroll wheel.
It reached not only users interested in split keyboards, custom keyboards, and integrated trackball devices, but also a broader audience of gadget enthusiasts.
2nd and 3rd Place: Crowdfunding Launch and Hands-On Articles Also Rank High
The article announcing the start of the Orca echo crowdfunding campaign took second place.
Third place went to the hands-on article covering the prototype displayed at Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Kai Vol.11.
Beyond the initial buzz, there was significant interest in the actual size, thumb trackball placement, and reactions at the event.
Orca echo seems to have been more than just a “quirky keyboard”—it was a product that brought multiple themes into focus at once: split keyboards, integrated trackballs, compact keyboards, and layer-based operation.
The concepts of small keyboards and layer operation are also discussed in the following article.
Funding Update Articles Continue to Be Read
There was also significant interest in tracking the funding progress of Orca echo after the crowdfunding campaign began.
The fact that funding update articles ranked highly shows that readers are not only looking at product specifications, but also value contextual information such as “How well is it selling?” “Which sets are being chosen?” and “Is it really getting attention?”
Interest in Cornix LP, Elytra, and Toucan2
Beyond Orca echo, articles about split keyboards and integrated pointing device keyboards such as Cornix LP, Elimkeys Elytra, and beekeeb Toucan2 also ranked highly.
Cornix LP is a keyboard featuring low-profile switches, a split layout, and an aluminum case.
Elimkeys Elytra is a keyboard characterized by its split layout, low-profile design, and cohesive aesthetic.
Additionally, beekeeb Toucan2 attracted attention as a split keyboard with an integrated trackpad.
June appears to have been a month when interest in split keyboards expanded beyond simply “being split” to include models with integrated pointing devices, low-profile designs, and greater accessibility as retail products.
Continued Interest in JIS Layout Support
Fourth place went to the article announcing the start of sales for Keychron J9 by SUPER KOPEK.
Additionally, while not in the rankings, an article explaining the Z-row offset in JIS layout keyboards continued to be read consistently.
In the Japanese market, even for keyboards from international brands, JIS layout, technical compliance certification, domestic sales, warranty, and ease of purchase are important factors.
The article on JIS support for NuPhy Air65 V3 / Air100 V3 was another topic reflecting this interest.
June Summary
June 2026 was a month when interest in split keyboards and integrated trackball keyboards surged, sparked by Orca echo.
At the same time, keyboards with different approaches—such as Cornix LP, Elimkeys Elytra, Toucan2, and Keychron J9—were also widely read.
Looking at the trends in June, it seems users are not simply searching for new keyboards, but are beginning to focus on more specific improvements to their input environment, such as:
- Reducing hand movement distance
- Trying split keyboards
- Integrating trackballs or trackpads into keyboards
- Valuing the reassurance of JIS layout and domestic sales
- Carefully evaluating crowdfunding products
These reflect a growing interest in concrete input environment improvements.
Greenkeys will continue to provide clear coverage of new keyboard products, reviews, purchasing guidance, design philosophy, and trends from domestic and international brands.
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