Number_i (ナンバーアイ, pronounced [nambaː ai]) is a Japanese boy band associated with Tobe, formed in October 2023. The group is formed by Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi.

Number_i
Logo of Number_i
Logo of Number_i
Background information
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresJ-pop
Years active2023 (2023)–present
LabelsTobe Music
Members
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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The now three former members of Johnny & Associates' King & Prince, left the group on May 22, 2023. Hirano and Jinguji cut ties with the agency that same day, while Kishi left on September 30, 2023.

On July 7, 2023, Hirano and Jinguji announced on a YouTube livestream their new affiliation to Tobe co., Ltd, established by Hideaki Takizawa.[1] Kishi's announcement that he now belonged to Tobe Co., Ltd was done on a YouTube livestream on October 15, 2023, and also included the news about the formation of Number_i.[2][3]

Kishi came up with "Number_i" and Hirano and Jinguji agreed with the group name. The "i" stands for Number One and Only One, signifying the aim to be number one, as well as the importance of the journey to get there. It also stands for love, "" in Japanese, and I (as in "me", "myself") in English, with the meaning of immersing themselves into the project, taking it as a unique thing for each one of the members.[4][5][6]

On November 15, 2023, Number_i made their debut appearance on the cover of the magazine Nylon Japan Global Issue 04.[7]

On January 1, 2024, the first digital single "GOAT" was released.[8]

On March 2, 2024, Number_i made its first TV appearance since its formation, appearing live on NHK's Venue101.[9]

On March 6, 2024, Number_i's first CD single, "GOAT", was released exclusively through the Tobe Online Store, selling 481,475 copies in its first week and topping the Billboard Japan Weekly Single Sales Chart.[10]

On April 12, the second digital single "Blow Your Cover" was released.[11]

On April 14, 2024, Number_i made their debut appearance on the '88rising Futures' stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2024, performing FUJI, and a remix version of "GOAT" with Jackson Wang.[12][13][14]

On May 3, 2024, Number_i appeared on the cover of the May issue of the Korean magazine MAPS and the first issue of the Japanese version, MAPS Japan.[15]

On May 27, 2024, their first album No. O: Ring was released.[16]

Their single "Bon" reached number one on the June 5 Oricon Weekly Digital Single ranking chart, with 60,120 downloads in its first week, while the No. O: Ring album reached the top spot on the June 5 Oricon Weekly Digital Album ranking chart, with 31,804 downloads in the first week.[17]

Members

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  • Sho Hirano (平野 紫耀)
  • Yuta Jinguji (神宮寺 勇太)
  • Yuta Kishi (岸 優太)

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN
Comb.

[18]
JPN
Hot

[19]
No. I
Track listing
  1. "Inzm"
  2. "Like Heaven" (なんかHEAVEN))
  3. "Ice"
  4. "Bye 24/7"
  5. "Jelly"
  6. "Tōmei ni Naritai" (透明になりたい))
  7. "Numbers"
  8. "Recipe"
  9. "ILY"
  10. "GOAT"
  11. "Blow Your Cover"
  12. "Bon"
  13. "Inzm" (Hyper Band version)
3 1
  • JPN: 412,442 (phy.)[20]
  • JPN: 37,077 (dig.)[21]

Extended plays

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List of extended plays, with selected details, chart positions and sales
Title Details Peaks Sales
JPN
Comb.

[18]
JPN
Hot

[22]
GOAT
  • Released: March 6, 2024
  • Label: Tobe
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Track listing
  1. "GOAT"
  2. "Blow Your Cover"
  3. "Is It Me?"
  4. "Midnight City"
  5. "Fuji"
  6. "Rain or Shine"
3
  • JPN: 481,475 (phy.)[23]
  • JPN: 32,143 (dig.)[21]
No. O: Ring
  • Released: May 27, 2024
  • Label: Tobe
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Track listing
  1. "Bon"
  2. "OK Complex"
  3. "Square_One"
  4. "No-Yes"
  5. "I"
  6. "Hanabira ga Mau Hi ni"
  7. "Banana (Take It Lazy)"
  8. "Yume no Tsuzuki"
1 1
  • JPN: 324,114 (phy.)[20]
  • JPN: 39,364 (dig.)[21]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
JPN
Comb.

[24]
JPN
Hot

[25]
WW
[26]
"GOAT" 2024 2 1 154 No. I
"Blow Your Cover" 6 5
"Bon" 6 2 [A]
"Inzm" 3 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other charted songs

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List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released, and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
JPN
Comb.

[24]
JPN
Hot

[28]
"Is It Me?" 2024 79 GOAT
"Midnight City" 84
"Fuji" 66
"Rain or Shine" 99
"OK Complex" 81 No. O: Ring
"Square_One" 71
"No-Yes" 65
"I" 80
"Banana (Take It Lazy)" 100
"Ice" 87 No. I
"Bye 24/7" 92
"Tōmei ni Naritai" (透明になりたい) 32 35
"Recipe" 84
"ILY" 86
"Hirakegoma" 9 3 No. I (Deluxe)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Music videos

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Title Year Type Director(s) Ref.
"GOAT" 2024 Official Yuichi Kodama [29]
"Blow your cover" Official Yusuke Tanaka [jp ] [30]
"Bon" Official Takuto Shimpo (director) [ja], mino (Nanon Creative) (CG) [31][32]
"INZM" Official Takuto Shimpo [33][34]

Other works

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Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2024 GQ Men of the Year Best Music Group Award[40] Won

Notes

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  1. ^ "Bon" did not enter the Billboard Global 200, but peaked at number 170 on the Global Excl. US.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "元King & Prince平野紫耀&神宮寺勇太、滝沢秀明氏の新会社TOBEに合流". Natalie (in Japanese). 7 July 2023. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  2. ^ "元キンプリ3人目!岸優太がTOBE合流発表 平野&神宮寺と新グループ「Number_i」結成". Sponichi (in Japanese). 15 October 2023. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  3. ^ "岸優太「TOBE」合流 元キンプリ3人で「Number_i」結成 平野「ファンとの距離を縮めたい」". Sponichi (in Japanese). 15 October 2023. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  4. ^ "岸優太「iにはオンリーワンの1や、愛の意味」TOBE合流 平野紫耀、神宮寺勇太と新グループ「Number_i」結成". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 16 October 2023. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  5. ^ "岸優太、TOBEに合流&平野紫耀、神宮寺勇太と新グループ「Number_i」結成を発表「NO1でオンリーワンなグループに」". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 15 October 2023. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  6. ^ "岸優太がTOBEに合流、平野紫耀&神宮寺勇太と新グループ結成". Natalie (in Japanese). 15 October 2023. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  7. ^ "平野紫耀、神宮寺勇太、岸優太のNumber_iが初の雑誌表紙 テーマは「ラブレターの文通」". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Number_iの音楽活動がついに始動!全編ラップ詞の1stシングルで"最高到達点"へ". Natalie (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  9. ^ 日本放送協会. Number_i・ATEEZ・RAMPAGE・TWS - Venue101 (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 April 2024 – via www.nhk.jp.
  10. ^ "【ビルボード】Number_i『GOAT』48万枚でシングル・セールス首位、Sexy Zoneは自己記録更新 | Daily News". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Number_iが2ndシングル「Blow your cover」を4月12日にデジタルリリース!初登場の『CDTV』オフショットも公開". The First Times (in Japanese). 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  12. ^ "88rising Founder Talks 2024 Coachella Showcase & Why It May Be Their Last". Billboard. 11 April 2024. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Number_i to Make Historic Debut at Coachella, America's Premier Music Festival". Tokyohive. 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Number_i、『コーチェラ』出演レポ 初の海外アーティストコラボも実現、結成半年で叶えた"世界"への一歩". Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). 15 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  15. ^ "【蔦屋書店・蔦屋家電】Number_i が表紙を飾る『MAPS JAPAN』創刊号を5/3(金・祝)より独占販売". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1|PR TIMES (in Japanese). 10 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Number_iが藍色の和テイストMIX衣装で佇む!新アルバム『No.O -ring-』ジャケ写&特典写真が公開". The First Times (in Japanese). 11 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Number_i、自身初のデジタル2冠達成【オリコンランキング】". Oricon (in Japanese). 5 June 2024. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Number_iの合算アルバム売上" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  19. ^ "No. I". 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  20. ^ a b "【ビルボード 2024年 年間Top Albums Sales】今年唯一のミリオン突破、Snow Manが2年ぶりに首位返り咲き". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 6 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "デジタルアルバム 1位~10位" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  22. ^ "No. O: Ring". 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales – Week of March 13, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Number_iの合算シングル売上" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  25. ^ Peaks on the Japan Hot 100:
    • "GOAT". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
    • "Blow Your Cover". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
    • "Bon". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
    • "Inzm". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of January 13, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Billboard Global Excl. US: Week of June 8, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  28. ^
  29. ^ "Number_i - GOAT (Official Music Video)". Number_i OFFICIAL. 31 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Number_i、切なくも美しい「Blow Your Cover」MV公開 平野紫耀「セクシーで繊細なダンスを見てもらえたら」". Oricon (in Japanese). 12 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Number_i Release "BON" MV, Collaborate with PUNPEE". Nante Japan. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Number_i『BON』MVで人形劇のシーンを手がけたCGディレクターNANON CREATIVE・mino氏に訊く~RealityCaptureとBlenderを活用~". CG World (in Japanese). 2 August 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Number_i、神宮寺勇太プロデュース「INZM」MV公開 全編海外撮影&12ヵ国語字幕対応". Sankei (in Japanese). 19 August 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Number_i "INZM" MV". Pics Tokyo (in Japanese and English). Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  35. ^ "Number_i、3人で初TVCM出演「マクドナルド」での思い出・完璧なダンス&絶妙な掛け合いも披露". Model Press (in Japanese). 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Number_i、グループ初のスキンケアミューズ就任 "ちゃっちゃちゃっちゃ系"岸優太がスキンケアを欠かさずするように「自然とドヤ顔に」【会見レポート】". Oricon (in Japanese). 5 November 2024. Archived from the original on 5 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  37. ^ "Number_iがイヴ・サンローランの香水「LIBRE(リブレ)」とグループ初タイアップ". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 報知新聞社. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  38. ^ "平野紫耀・神宮寺勇太・岸優太がつづる新たな物語。自由と強さを託す香り". VOGUE JAPAN (in Japanese). 20 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  39. ^ 遠藤里紗 (21 November 2023). "「YSL」の香水"リブレ"に300人行列 平野紫耀&神宮寺勇太&岸優太のNumber_iのファンが集う". WWDJAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  40. ^ "Number_i「GQ MEN OF THE YEAR」受賞 デビュー1年目で世界の扉を開いた躍進的活躍【受賞者一覧】". Oricon (in Japanese). 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
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