Number_i Takes Global Leap, Signs with WME: A New Era for Japanese Entertainment

Popular group Number_i has announced they have signed an agent agreement with WME (William Morris Endeavor), the world's largest talent agency, drawing significant attention. This agreement is expected to significantly accelerate Number_i's global activities.

WME, based in the United States, is known as a world-leading agency in the entertainment industry, representing numerous prominent artists. On social media, comments such as "The artists WME represents, even if you don't know much about them, you probably know almost all of them, it's insane" and "YOSHIKI is also apparently signed with WME" highlight its immense influence.

Number_i has been focused on overseas activities for some time, actively approaching the North American market with appearances at this year's Coachella and HEAD IN THE CLOUDS. With this new agreement, the group commented that they can "further expand our possibilities and range of expression," raising expectations for their continued growth.

Following the announcement, fans flooded social media with congratulations and emotional messages like "Congratulations! I'm so happy!", "I'm truly proud," and "This is incredibly amazing, it gives me chills." In response to the members' message, "We will continue to work harder than ever to see new landscapes with our iLYs, who always support us," fans expressed joy with comments such as "Such heartwarming words."

It should be noted that TOBE will continue to manage Number_i, while WME will act as an agent, responsible for securing overseas work opportunities.

Intense attention is being focused on their new challenge on the global stage, both from within Japan and internationally. Fans are eagerly anticipating Number_i's further success, with comments like "We'll follow you wherever you go" and "Excited to see the new world you'll show us."

The Context

Number_i is a highly popular Japanese male idol group formed by three former members of the renowned group King & Prince: Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi. They are managed by TOBE, a new Japanese entertainment company established by Hideaki Takizawa, the former vice president of Johnny & Associates (now SMILE-UP./STARTO ENTERTAINMENT).

WME (William Morris Endeavor) is a global powerhouse in the entertainment and media industry, representing a vast array of artists, athletes, and brands worldwide. Signing with such a prestigious agency signifies a major strategic move for Number_i to expand their presence beyond Japan and into the international music scene. This partnership with WME, combined with their recent high-profile performances at international music festivals like Coachella and HEAD IN THE CLOUDS, underscores their clear ambition to establish themselves as a global act. For a Japanese idol group, traditionally more focused on the domestic market, this marks a significant shift towards a global-first approach, leveraging WME's extensive network and industry influence to secure opportunities in Western markets.