Words / Jovita Tedja
Special Thanks / Anthony Kim
In Japan’s rapidly evolving music landscape, where new idol groups debut at a record pace, standing out is no small feat. Yet rising stars ONE OR EIGHT have already begun carving out a space of their own, staying true to their originality and authenticity along the way. Comprising MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA, and YUGA, the eight-member group was formed by Japanese music powerhouse Avex through WARPs DIG, a year-long audition program that ran from 2022 to 2023.
A last-minute surprise addition to last August’s Head in the Clouds LA lineup, ONE OR EIGHT wasted no time making their presence known, kicking off the festival with a high-octane set that embodied their motto, ichi ka bachi ka, or “all or nothing.” The group gave the crowd everything they had, tearing through the stage with a setlist that included fan favorite “TOKYO DRIFT” and their recent single, “YANKEE SQUAT.” Following their explosive performance, ONE OR EIGHT sat down with LADYGUNN to talk about their journey, their creative identity, and their newest EP, EN-GÏNE, out now everywhere.
EN-GÏNE follows the release of “INVINCIBLE,” the second pre-release single from the group’s EP. The track pushes ONE OR EIGHT into more emotional territory, revealing a softer and more vulnerable side of the group than fans have seen before.
Comprising six tracks, “V8,” “YANKEE SQUAT,” “TRANSLATE,” “I <3 IT,” “MONSTER,” and “INVINCIBLE,” EN-GÏNE showcases ONE OR EIGHT’s versatility, spanning a diverse range of musical styles and sounds. “TRANSLATE,” which serves as the EP’s focus track, is a hard-hitting rap number that leans into ONE OR EIGHT’s signature street-inspired style. Yet beyond simply showcasing their range as performers, the EP also reflects the members’ active involvement in the creative process, with the boys taking an active role in bringing the project to life.
SOUMA: The EP EN-GÏNE is like the sequel to our mini album GATHER. While GATHER had the message of being together, EN-GÏNE is about moving forward with our full engine on. In terms of relationship with our fans, we really value our fans and would love to keep moving forward with them too. This EP has many different genres of music, and we hope to share our music beyond borders as well.
LADYGUNN: What did the creative process behind EN-GÏNE look like, and how did each of the members contribute to shaping the EP this time around?
NEO: Obviously all the members, we try to incorporate all our creative ideas and try to continuously innovate on what we have created and built since our debut. Personally, I wrote the lyrics and was part of the sessions. I really enjoy shaping the ONE OR EIGHT sound, and imagining what the eight of us would sound like on a track, and what we’re singing about. That’s always my favorite part of making music for ONE OR EIGHT.
NEO: I’m like a completely different person when I’m making songs for ONE OR EIGHT. Like, that’s the fun part. I’m always so happy to be part of the creative process, and being able to perform these songs with my brothers.
NEO: And it’s not only the music, but also the dance. TAKERU and TSUBASA, also YUGA and SOUMA were part of the choreography for a few songs, along with REIA. We all try to produce what we perform. We want to have creative control over our music, and we’re really proud of this album.
LADYGUNN: Could each member choose your favorite song from the EP and tell us a little bit about why it stands out to you?
REIA: One of my favorite is “I <3 IT” because it’s a real story about bouncing right back after hard times.
NEO: I think my personal favorite is “TRANSLATE.” I’m a huge fan of Trippie Redd, Playboi Carti and recently CORTIS. So I think rage (a mix of hiphop and trap) is such a great genre to explore. We waited for a long time to explore a rage track, so I’m really excited about performing this song.
TSUBASA: My favorite is “YANKEE SQUAT” and I think it really suits our group. Of course, the YANKEEs are rebellious punk groups in Japan, but they really respect each other in their group, and of course, we too respect each other so much and we care for all our members really well. The song itself has a message of trying to create our own place by ourselves, and we also try to create this message to our listeners that they can always come to us to create their own place too.
“YANKEE SQUAT” made it into our Head in the Clouds LA recap as one of the festival’s standout performances. As the pre-release single from EN-GÏNE, the track offers a first glimpse into the group’s new EP while introducing a concept rooted in Japan’s street culture, historically associated with rebellious youth who reject the polished behavior and social expectations of mainstream Japanese society.
The song’s titular squat carries that same spirit of defiance. Crouching or squatting in public has long been stereotypically associated with yankii and delinquent youth culture, with the posture often perceived as deliberately unrefined or even confrontational. ONE OR EIGHT, however, reclaim that stigma as a statement of nonconformity. In a culture where fitting in and maintaining appearances can carry considerable weight, the “YANKEE SQUAT” becomes a visual declaration of the group’s willingness to stand apart and define themselves on their own terms.
LADYGUNN: What does “YANKEE SQUAT” represent for ONE OR EIGHT?
TAKERU: So YANKEE in Japanese is some kind of rebellious youth, mainly students. They’re like punk students, and they have their own way of thinking and their own way of actions. I personally relate to them, because even though they are kind of outcast, they are very honest and they proactively go after their dreams and goals. They’re very ambitious. In a good way or bad way, they have their own world. So that’s one street culture we would like to introduce.
That sense of unapologetic individuality feels central to ONE OR EIGHT’s identity. Rather than simply borrowing from yankii aesthetics, the group seems drawn to the subculture’s underlying refusal to conform: to being told what they should look like, how they should act, or what path they should follow. It is a fitting ethos for a group that has consistently challenged the expectations placed on Japanese artists, carving out space for themselves through a sound and image that feel distinctly their own. The group’s bold visuals and rebellious image becomes less about shock for shock’s sake and more about embracing the freedom to stand differently, even when standing apart means stepping outside the lines.
Alongside EN-GÏNE, ONE OR EIGHT has also been documenting the journey behind their recent international run. ICHIBACHI! – BET from Tokyo to the World – takes a road movie-style approach to the group’s month-long North and Latin American tour, beginning with their Los Angeles stop and following them across the journey. Beyond the stage, the series captures quieter moments between performances, from backstage interactions and candid exchanges between members to the challenges that come with taking their music overseas. The series is broadcast and streamed in Japan on Hulu.
That behind-the-scenes perspective continues with ICHIKABACHIA! – Behind the 1st LIVE TOUR ‘GATHER’ –, a weekly series on ONE OR EIGHT’s YouTube channel chronicling their first live tour. Together, the two series offer a more intimate view of the people behind the performances, tracing the group not only as they take their music beyond Japan, but as they grow together along the way.
LADYGUNN: ONE OR EIGHT has always embodied the idea of ichi ka bachi ka or “all or nothing,” with a strong emphasis on believing in yourselves and being willing to take that bet. As the group continues to grow, how has that mindset shaped the way you approach your music and your journey together?
MIZUKI: The mindset of all or nothing, betting on yourselves is very important to us, and we always take up the challenge of “from Japan to the world.” We’ll keep on challenging ourselves, and we want to do something that nobody has done before. That’s our goal, and that’s our mindset as a team.
LADYGUNN: What are some of ONE OR EIGHT’s biggest goals for the rest of 2026?
YUGA: So we’ve been performing around the world recently. We’re a Japanese group, but we’re taking this challenge on a global scale. I think for the rest of 2026, we’re going to focus a bit more on Japan, while we are still working on sending a message to the world.
As YUGA hinted, the group’s next chapter is also about returning to where it all began. Beginning in October, ONE OR EIGHT will embark on ONE OR EIGHT SHŪKAI 2026-2027 in JAPAN -2GATHER-, an ambitious fan meeting tour spanning all 47 prefectures of Japan. More than simply a tour, the project reflects the members’ desire to meet the fans who have supported them across the country and create meaningful connections with them face-to-face. As ONE OR EIGHT continues to set its sights on the world, the group is choosing to look homeward too, returning to its roots while carrying the spirit of giving it their all wherever the journey takes them next.