It may be a good entry-level option for anyone looking for a Japanese-layout keyboard with an aluminum case.
The PMO Aurora80 JIS is an 80% TKL mechanical keyboard that combines a Japanese (JIS) layout with a full-CNC aluminum case.
It is a product from WOBKEY sub-brand PMO (PMOKEY). Unlike the similarly positioned Smackape Impact80, it features the premium feel of an aluminum case and a typing experience shaped by attention to its internal design.
One of its standout features is a dual-mount design that lets you switch between gasket mount and top mount.
The FR4 plate, multilayer foam, and Kailh Luna switches combine to produce a composed, bass-heavy typing sound.
It also supports Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired USB connections. You can remap keys with QMK/VIA, balancing the practicality of a JIS layout with customizability.
The product launched for presale on Makuake on July 30, 2026, and the project ended on September 12.
It is now available through general retail in Japan, with the JIS model priced at ¥26,500 including tax.
Options combining a JIS layout, aluminum case, and 80% TKL form factor are still limited in the Japanese market.
Against that backdrop, the Aurora80 JIS is worth considering as a model that balances price with overall product refinement.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at the Aurora80 JIS we used firsthand, covering its typing feel and sound, the usability of its JIS layout, its internal design, and points to know before buying.
We also compare it with the WOBKEY Crush80 JIS and Keychron Q3 series to consider which users it may suit.
- TKL×アルミニウム筐体×日本語配列という希少性
- 秀逸なルックスに魅了される
- デュアル構造で好みに応じた打鍵感を選べる
- 細やかな調整で没入感が持てるRGBライティング
- Thockyを体現したような打鍵感
- カスタマイズ時はネジを外す必要あり（ボールキャッチ式ではない）
- キーキャップのカスタマイズ性が現状では低い
- 無線接続スイッチはキーキャップを外さないと操作できない
- 持ち運びは困難だと考えた方がよい
PMO Aurora80 JIS Pricing and Availability: Now on General Sale
The PMO Aurora80 JIS crowdfunding campaign on Makuake ended on September 12, 2026, and the keyboard is now available through general retail in Japan.
The JIS model is priced at ¥26,500 including tax. It is available in Black and White.
As of October 19, 2026, it is listed by retailers including KIBU SHOP and PC SHOP Ark.
- Product: PMO Aurora80 JIS
- Price: ¥26,500 (tax included)
- Layout: Japanese (JIS)
- Colors: Black / White
- Availability: General retail in Japan
- Main retailers: KIBU SHOP, PC SHOP Ark
Stock varies by retailer, so check the latest price and availability before purchasing.
View the PMO Aurora80 JIS at KIBU SHOP
Makuake Presale Pricing
The Aurora80 was crowdfunded on Makuake from July 30 to September 12, 2026.
Early-bird plans were available at the time, with the JIS model starting at ¥22,520 including tax.
That was a special price for the crowdfunding period and differs from the current retail price.
At its ¥26,500 retail price, we consider it competitively priced for a JIS TKL keyboard with a full-CNC aluminum case, dual-mount design, and tri-mode connectivity.
Who Should Consider the PMO Aurora80 JIS
The PMO Aurora80 JIS is a good fit for people like these:
Who We Recommend the PMO Aurora80 JIS For
- People looking for a JIS-layout TKL keyboard with an aluminum case
- People looking for a keyboard with a satisfying typing feel
- People who can see the value for the price
First, the Aurora 80 JIS is an unusually rare combination: a JIS layout, aluminum case, and TKL form factor.
Those familiar with the market will see how much of a bargain it is to find this combination for around ¥25,000.
It is a keyboard we can recommend to people who appreciate the value of getting a rare set of features at a price that feels like more than their money’s worth.
Who the PMO Aurora80 JIS May Not Suit
That said, the PMO Aurora80 JIS is not a keyboard for everyone.
Who May Not Find the PMO Aurora80 JIS a Good Fit
- People who tend to apply mainstream Japanese expectations to keyboards
- People considering a portable keyboard
When buying a keyboard in Japan, the typical budget ceiling is probably around ¥15,000.
For people with that kind of mainstream budget in mind, the Aurora 80 JIS is a very expensive keyboard.
This is the kind of product that seems inexpensive only when you understand what it offers.
Review Setup
The review setup was as follows:
- Connection setup: macOS
- Switches used: Kailh Luna Switch
- Main use: Content writing (Japanese typing)
See the key switch specifications ▷▷
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Switch name | Kailh Luna Switch |
| Type | Linear |
| Stem material | POK |
| Top housing material | POM |
| Bottom housing material | POM |
| Operating force | 45±10gf |
| Actuation point | 1.8±0.4mm |
| Total travel | 3.5±0.3mm |
All Key Switch Specifications
| Item | Arctic (HMX) | Prism (Kailh) | Luna (Kailh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Tactile | Linear | Linear |
| Stem material | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | POK |
| Top housing material | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | POM |
| Bottom housing material | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | POM |
| Operating force | 65±10gf | 42±10gf | 45±10gf |
| Actuation point | 1.7±0.3mm | 2.0±0.6mm | 1.8±0.4mm |
| Total travel | 3.6±0.3mm | 3.5±0.3mm | 3.5±0.3mm |
The Aurora 80 is available with three types of key switches, but the included switches vary by layout and color.
The JIS model reviewed here comes with Luna Switches in both color options.
Typing Feel and Sound
- Typing volume: ★★★☆☆ (Not especially loud, but noticeable to people nearby)
- Pitch: Slightly low (similar to typical switches)
- Key weight: Typical (45gf is average for a linear switch)
- Bottom-out feel: Muted
- Key wobble: Average
Advantages of the PMO Aurora80 JIS
The PMO Aurora80 JIS has five main advantages:
Advantages of the PMO Aurora80 JIS
- Rare combination of TKL, aluminum case, and JIS layout
- Striking looks that are hard not to love
- A choice of typing feel with the dual-mount design
- Immersive RGB lighting with fine-grained controls
- A typing feel that embodies “thocky”
Rare Combination of TKL, Aluminum Case, and JIS Layout
The Aurora 80 JIS’s biggest advantage is its unusually rare position in the market.
In Japan’s keyboard market, only a handful of models, such as the Crush80 JIS and Keychron Q3 Ultra 8K JIS, combine an 80% TKL layout, JIS layout, and aluminum body.
It also stands out for being much more affordable than those two competing models.
It’s also worth noting that the lower price compared with its competitors does not appear to involve any compromises in what the keyboard offers.
It is true that it does not have an 8K polling rate, but that should not be a major issue if you are not using it for gaming.
The Aurora 80 JIS may be just what TKL fans have been waiting for to enjoy high-quality Japanese typing.
It’s also nice to have a choice of colors on a product like this, which is unusual for a JIS-layout keyboard.
Striking Looks That Are Hard Not to Love
The Aurora 80 JIS is a highly refined keyboard, right down to its backplate.
The rear features an engraved brushed stainless-steel plate.
Keyboards are generally expected to be practical, but in the high-end custom keyboard category, aesthetics and a sense of ownership matter too.
The Aurora 80 JIS seems to take those high-end custom keyboard qualities into account, making it a product that can appeal to enthusiasts as well.
Choose Your Preferred Typing Feel with the Dual-Mount Design
One of the Aurora 80 JIS’s defining features is its satisfying typing feel.
Its dual-mount design lets you switch between gasket mount and top mount to suit your preference. (It comes set up for gasket mount; you can switch to top mount using the included screws.)
Both mounting options use multiple layers of sound-dampening material, and the switches are tuned toward a low-pitched sound, resulting in a very satisfying typing feel.
Gasket mount feels somewhat softer, while top mount provides a more distinct bottom-out and a clearer typing feel.
Immersive RGB Lighting with Fine-Grained Controls
The Aurora 80 JIS features RGB lighting.
Many keyboards use a single control to manage all of their lighting, but the Aurora 80 JIS lets you independently control and adjust the lighting patterns in three separate areas.
This is a feature that RGB lighting fans are likely to appreciate.
The US-layout version also uses frosted clear keycaps, which pair with the 270° RGB light bar to create even more eye-catching lighting.
A Typing Feel That Embodies “Thocky”
The Aurora 80 JIS has excellent typing sound.
WOBKEY rose to prominence with the Rainy75’s “rain-like typing sound.”
The Aurora 80 JIS carries on that tradition, and its muted, compact typing sound is quite addictive.
The keyboard has an impressive six layers of foam and other materials: a PET bottom sheet, Poron case foam, PET film, an IXPE switch pad, Poron sandwich foam, and Force Break foam, starting from the bottom case.
Together with the firm typing feel of the FR4 plate, this gives the overall sound tuning a sense of quality.
Points to Know Before Buying the PMO Aurora80 JIS
There are four main points to know before buying the PMO Aurora80 JIS:
Drawbacks of the PMO Aurora80 JIS
- You have to remove screws to customize it (no ball-catch system)
- Limited keycap customization options at present
- You have to remove a keycap to operate the wireless connection switch
- Best treated as a stationary keyboard; portability is difficult
- The JIS version does not offer a choice of switches
You Have to Remove Screws to Customize It (No Ball-Catch System)
To customize the Aurora 80 JIS, you need to remove eight screws.
It uses the same approach as the Rainy75.
WOBKEY is often associated with ball-catch customization mechanisms, as seen on the ZEN65 and Crush80, but this model does not have one.
Keep in mind that disassembling it for customization takes some time, as with a typical custom keyboard.
Limited Keycap Customization Options at Present
Replacement keycap options for JIS keyboards are still quite limited.
Beyond the distinctive JIS legends, limited spacebar compatibility has also led to a very small supply of replacement keycaps.
The Aurora 80 JIS uses a 3.75u spacebar, and finding one in that size is likely to be difficult.
As a result, keycap customization is limited to a few keys, which is worth keeping in mind.
You Have to Remove a Keycap to Operate the Wireless Connection Switch
This is common on WOBKEY keyboards, but the wireless on/off switch is located beneath the Caps Lock keycap.
That means you have to remove the keycap to turn the wireless connection on or off.
My impression is that this design choice may be one reason the keyboard can be offered at this price.
KawamuraAdding a switch to the side would increase the cost of machining the case.
From a cost perspective alone, this may be the ideal location.
Best Treated as a Stationary Keyboard; Portability Is Difficult
The Aurora 80 JIS weighs about 2.3kg.
It is far too heavy to be considered portable.
If you buy one, it is probably best to think of it as a keyboard that will stay at home.
The JIS Version Does Not Offer a Choice of Switches
The Aurora 80 is available with three types of key switches, but the included switches vary by layout and color.
Every JIS model comes with Luna switches, regardless of color; no other switches are available.
Only the US-layout version offers a choice of switches.
Comparing Keyboards with Similar Concepts
Let’s compare it with keyboards that have a similar concept.
The PMO Aurora 80 JIS is a premium mechanical keyboard that combines a JIS layout, TKL form factor, and aluminum case, a rare combination in Japan.
Comparable models include the WOBKEY Crush 80 JIS, Keychron Q3 Max JIS, and Keychron Q3 Ultra 8K JIS.
| Product | Price | Layout | Case | Connectivity | Polling rate | Weight | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMO Aurora 80 JIS | From ¥22,520 | JIS / TKL | CNC aluminum | USB-C / Bluetooth / 2.4GHz | Not disclosed | Approx. 2,280g | 270° light bar, 8,000mAh battery, QMK/VIA and PMO HUB support |
| WOBKEY Crush 80 JIS | ¥41,000 | JIS / TKL | 6063 aluminum alloy / CNC | USB-C / Bluetooth / 2.4GHz | Unconfirmed | Approx. 2.4kg | WOBKEY TKL carrying on the Rainy75’s typing feel; VIA compatible |
| Keychron Q3 Max JIS | ¥43,890 | JIS / TKL | CNC-machined aluminum | USB-C / Bluetooth / 2.4GHz | 1000Hz | Approx. 2,045g | A classic aluminum TKL with QMK/VIA support; balanced for work and gaming |
| Keychron Q3 Ultra 8K JIS | ¥39,930 | JIS / TKL | 6063 aluminum, CNC-machined | USB-C / Bluetooth / 2.4GHz | 8000Hz | Unconfirmed | Supports an 8K polling rate, uses ZMK, and is a higher-end model geared toward gaming |
Rather than emphasizing gaming performance such as an 8K polling rate, the Aurora 80 JIS focuses on a commanding presence on the desk and the satisfaction of a well-finished product. It offers a CNC aluminum case, weighs about 2.3kg, and includes a 270° light bar, 8,000mAh battery, and QMK/VIA and PMO HUB support.
Another important point is that it sits in a lower price bracket than its competitors.
While competing models with aluminum cases generally cost around ¥40,000, the Aurora 80 JIS is priced at about ¥25,000, making it highly competitive.
The Keychron Q3 Ultra 8K JIS has many advantages in specifications and brand recognition, but if gaming is not a priority and you are focused purely on typing, the Aurora 80 JIS is well worth considering.
The Aurora 80 JIS also seems a cut above the comparison models in the finish and design of its backplate.
[In Photos] PMO Aurora80 JIS Review
Now, let’s take a look at some photos of the Aurora 80 JIS.
It comes in a very sturdy package.
The unit provided for this review was the Aurora 80 JIS in Black.
The Giteki certification mark is also printed on the outer box.
The package includes the Aurora 80 JIS, a quick-start guide, an instruction manual, and accessories.
The accessories are packed in a long, narrow box.
a Type-A-to-C cable, a 2.4GHz dongle, three spare switches, and Mac keycaps
Let’s start with the keycaps.
The keycaps are double-shot PBT, with the kana legends made in the same color as the caps.
They appear to be double-shot all the way through the sublegends as well.
KawamuraThese feel like carefully made keycaps with a lot of effort put into them.
The homing keys use bar-style markers.
Next, the switches.
The keyboard uses Kailh Luna switches.
They are linear switches with a typical 45gf actuation force, and they have LED diffusers.
Total travel is 3.5mm, slightly shorter than a typical key travel.
Both the top and bottom housings are made of highly self-lubricating POM and are factory-lubed, giving them a very smooth typing feel.
The switch plate is slotted FR4.
The slots make the typing feel softer than on keyboards with a conventional FR4 plate.
Let’s look at the mounting options as well.
It uses a “silicone sock gasket” design, with silicone socks fitted over the edges of the switch plate and held between the top and bottom cases.
It also supports top mount, where the top case is screwed directly to the switch plate.
If you prefer a firmer typing feel, it could be fun to reconfigure it yourself.
Unlike the WOBKEY Crush 80 and ZEN65, it does not use a ball-catch mount. You need to remove eight screws to take off the top case and access the internals, so keep that in mind.
Let’s also take a look at the sound-dampening materials and internal design.
As shown here, sound-dampening foam is sandwiched between the switch plate and PCB.
The underside of the PCB.
The hot-swap sockets for the switches do not appear to be made by Kailh; they look like derivatives.
Sound-dampening foam is also installed beneath the PCB.
There is another layer of foam directly above the bottom case, for a total of three sheets of sound-dampening foam.
A small detail: the main PCB and connector board are connected by a flat cable.
The use of a daughterboard also seems useful for preventing uneven typing feel with gasket mount.
Another small detail that stood out is the high density of LEDs beneath the special keys, whose lighting can be controlled independently.
The wireless on/off switch is located beneath Caps Lock.
This is a design choice that people may have mixed feelings about.
It may be worth noting that many WOBKEY keyboards use this design.
Let’s take a look at the overall appearance.
It uses a conventional JIS layout, and the Z-row stagger follows the ANSI layout, which is a welcome touch.
Including replacement keycaps for Mac is another thoughtful touch for users.
The spacebar is 3.75u, and replacement keycaps in that size seem to be scarce.
The front height is about 2cm, which is typical for a mechanical keyboard.
The case looks black overall, but it has a sparkly finish.
It will probably be more comfortable to use with a palm rest.
One thing I like about the TKL layout is having a full-size right Shift key beneath Enter.
It looks like it should be easy to use.
As a small accent, there is a circular LED light beneath the special keys.
It’s also worth noting that this area has independent lighting controls.
The keycaps are said to use Cherry profile.
It is a familiar profile, so typing should feel natural for most users.
There are no tilt legs, and the typing angle is fixed at about 7 degrees.
It’s quite unusual that the side and rear lighting can also be controlled independently.
The rounded corners along the sides of the case are beautifully finished.
There is just one USB Type-C port on the rear, with no other switches.
The case design avoids the cost of machining holes into the aluminum while turning that constraint into a lighting feature. There is a lot to learn from it from several perspectives.
Let’s take a look at the underside of the case.
The underside has a simple design, with four rubber feet and an inset badge marked PMO LAB.
The backplate is the real standout here.
It is very rare to find a keyboard at this price point with such an intricately designed backplate.
The stainless-steel weight has a brushed finish and an engraved logo. It looks simple yet exceptionally cool.
You usually don’t see the back of a keyboard.
But in the high-end custom keyboard scene, there is a culture of valuing aesthetics and showing attention to details like this.
It’s wonderful to get a taste of that high-end design ethos in a keyboard at this price point.
It seems like a keyboard that will satisfy your desire to own something special.
Here’s how it looks on a desk.
PMO Aurora80 JIS Specifications
The following is an overview of the JIS model, based on specifications published on Makuake and our inspection of the review unit.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product name | PMO Aurora 80 |
| Brand | PMO (WOBKEY sub-brand) |
| Layout | 80% TKL layout |
| Case material | CNC aluminum |
| Weight | Approx. 2.3kg |
| Dimensions | 360mm x 140mm x 34mm |
| Mounting styles | Gasket mount / top mount |
| Plate material | FR4 |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C / Bluetooth / 2.4GHz wireless |
| Battery | 8,000mAh |
| Switches | Hot-swap compatible JIS version comes with Luna switches only |
| RGB | Per-key RGB backlighting “270° light bar” on the sides and rear Circular LED near the arrow keys (All can be controlled independently) |
| Software | QMK / VIA support PMO HUB support *VIA requires the Aurora 80-specific.json file distributed by KIBU |
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT, Cherry profile (JIS version only; US-layout version has frosted clear keycaps) |
| Supported operating systems | Windows / macOS / iOS / iPadOS / Android / Linux |
| Color options | White / Black (JIS layout) Blue / Purple (US layout) |
| Giteki certification | Certified |
| Product warranty | 180 days from shipment |
Included accessories
- Dust cover ×1
- Storage case ×1
- Layout card ×1
- Keycap and switch puller ×1
- USB Type-C cable ×1
- Japanese and English manuals ×1
- 2.4GHz wireless receiver ×1
- Spare switches ×3
- Rubber rings ×8
- Spare screws for switching to top mount ×8
Conclusion
That concludes our review of the PMO Aurora 80 JIS.
It is a keyboard with a particularly rare combination of a JIS layout, 80% TKL form factor, and aluminum case.
I found that this combination will really appeal to a particular group of users.
Although it sits under WOBKEY as a sub-brand, I did not feel that there were any compromises in its specifications or looks. My overall impression is that it is a very solid keyboard.
If you’re interested, take a look at the crowdfunding page as well.
- Originally published: July 30, 2026
- Last updated: July 30, 2026
- Review method: Product provided
- Sources and image credits: Makuake crowdfunding page
- Conflict of interest: Product provided: Yes; monetized links in this article: None
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