Tokyo International News Agency

It has been announced that Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi of the popular Japanese music group Number_i will make an appearance at a pre-game ceremony for the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers to take part in the ceremonial first pitch. Ahead of their moment on this grand stage, fans flooded social media with enthusiastic messages, propelling “Yuta Kishi” to the number one trending spot. Appearing in the dugout and on the field at Dodger Stadium, the three members sported official Dodgers jerseys featuring personalized uniform numbers that carry special meaning. Hirano wore the playful number “4649” (a Japanese numerical pun for yoroshiku , meaning “pleased to meet you”), Jinguji chose “8,” and Kishi donned “14.” Kishi's selection of “14” holds deep sentiment, as it was the number he wore during his days playing youth baseball. Fans reacted with deep emotion online, leaving comments such as “His childhood dre...

To mark the monumental milestone of its 200th issue, high-fashion magazine Numéro TOKYO announced that popular group Number_i will grace the cover of its upcoming special edition, set for release on August 28. Following the announcement, social media has been flooded with messages of congratulations and high anticipation from fans. A teaser video released on the magazine's official accounts offers a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot for a special visual story, capturing the cool and sophisticated presence of the three members. Fans showered the clip with praise, leaving enthusiastic comments such as "as stylish as a movie scene," "so cool I can't stop staring," and "overwhelming beauty." Fitting for the celebratory milestone of the 200th issue, this luxurious feature has prompted many fans to complete their pre-orders immediately, driving excitement to a fever pitch ahead of the August 28 release date. The Context Number_i is a prominent Ja...

With the arrival of the intense summer heat, "Hiyashi Sekkisei" (Chilled Sekkisei)—a skincare routine recommended by Kose's skincare brand Sekkisei—has been generating a major buzz, particularly on social media. A new web commercial titled "Hiyashi Sekkisei" Q&A , featuring the popular group Number_i and released on July 8, 2026, has received an overwhelming response immediately following its release. In the video, members Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi introduce the appeal of "Chilled Sekkisei" in a rapid-fire Q&A format. The content is packed with their signature playful chemistry, featuring moments such as Hirano cutely singing and stepping, and Kishi's answers prompting the group to learn more about the product's ingredients. Fans have flooded social media with delighted comments like, "It's so cute I keep watching it on repeat," and "It gives me the energy to get through this hot summer." Inspired ...

The three-member Japanese group Number_i has announced that their new digital single, "BUGS LIFE," produced by member Yuta Jinguji, will be released on Monday, July 13, 2026, at midnight (JST). Along with the announcement, a teaser video incorporating ASCII art, as well as highly creative new artist and jacket photos, have been unveiled, quickly generating massive buzz across social media. A Thrilling Phonk-Inspired Track "BUGS LIFE" stands out for its adoption of "Phonk," a music genre known for its slower, atmospheric BPM. The track blends a thrilling, heavy beat with an arrangement designed to showcase the group's powerful dance performances, marking a bold and challenging evolution that reshapes their musical identity. Playfully combining the concepts of "system bugs" and "actual bugs (insects)," the song's mysterious and slightly eerie, horror-inspired vibe has intensely piqued the curiosity of fans. Innovative ASCII Art an...

A massive graphic advertisement featuring Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi—the three members of the wildly popular J-pop group Number_i—has taken over major train stations in Tokyo and Osaka. Serving as brand ambassadors for various product lines of the pharmaceutical company Ikeda Mohando Co., Ltd., their joint appearance in these advertisements has sparked a massive buzz among fans, particularly on social media. A Star-Studded Collaboration of Three Major Brands This transit advertising campaign is a special collaboration that brings together three of Ikeda Mohando's flagship brands. Each member represents a specific brand: Sho Hirano: 'Muhi' series (anti-itch remedies) Yuta Jinguji: 'Muhibeta V Liquid' (treatment for head itching and eczema) Yuta Kishi: 'Hibicare' series (remedy for cracked skin) The eye-catching, large-scale advertisements featuring all three members have been spotted in major hubs, including inside the central ticket gates of...

Hokkaido is currently swept up in a wave of entertainment fever. The phrase "Hokkaido Performance" has been trending on social media, with fans flooding platforms with celebratory posts and high expectations for upcoming live shows. Drawing significant attention is "to HEROes 〜TOBE 3rd Super Live〜," which kicked off its first day today, May 16. As artists from the TOBE agency—including Number_i, IMP., Hiromitsu Kitayama, and Ken Miyake—gather for this grand stage, fans on-site are sharing photos of the clear, blue skies. Those attending have shared messages like, "I'm going to give them all my love," and "I hope the tour concludes safely," while fans unable to make it are sending their support via SNS, declaring, "My soul is in Hokkaido." New information about future performances is also stirring excitement. Yui Sakurai of the idol group FRUITS ZIPPER delighted fans by announcing that a Hokkaido show has been added alongside dates i...

On April 30, 2026, the nominees for one of Japan's largest music festivals, "MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 (MAJ 2026)," were officially unveiled. The announcement sparked a wave of celebration and support across social media. Earlier that day, a special nomination ceremony featuring actor Kento Nakajima and actress Mei Hata was held, drawing significant public attention. The nominations represent a broad spectrum of the current music scene. Mrs. GREEN APPLE, nominated for "Artist of the Year," and the group Number_i, who secured nominations in multiple categories, are among the most talked-about contenders. Fans have flooded SNS platforms with messages of congratulations and vows to participate in the voting process. Established powerhouses such as Sakanaction, Gen Hoshino, and Kaze Fujii also earned nods in several categories, with many praising the collective strength of their production teams. The list also highlights the diversity of the industry, ranging from ris...

NatureLab's premium home care brand, Laundrin, has officially unveiled the new key visual for its limited-edition Summer 2026 series, "Fresh Mojito." The campaign features acclaimed artist Sho Hirano, whose mystical and translucent appearance has ignited a massive wave of excitement across social media platforms. The "Fresh Mojito" series, a highly anticipated annual summer release, is scheduled to hit shelves nationwide starting May 1, 2026. This year's creative theme is "Serene Light and a Hint of Hope." The newly released visual perfectly captures this concept, blending Hirano’s overwhelming aura with delicate lighting effects to evoke a refreshing world that feels like a breeze sweeping across a summer beach. Immediately following the reveal, fans took to SNS to shower the visual with praise, with comments such as "He looks like a mermaid, he's too beautiful," "The quality is like a movie poster," and "He has a divi...

The "OKAWARI Live" segment on TBS's hit music program CDTV Live! Live! has taken social media by storm. During the broadcast, the hashtag #OKAWARI trended as fans voiced their excitement over the unique encore-style performances. "OKAWARI Live" is a special segment where artists perform a song "one more time" in response to viewer feedback. In this most recent broadcast, Snow Man performed "Odorouze!" in a special collaboration with footage from a film starring member Daisuke Sakuma. Fans were captivated, leaving comments such as "The synchronization with the movie clips was incredible" and "Seeing them dance in suits was simply stunning." Number_i also appeared on the show, coinciding with the release of their latest single "3XL." Fans were treated to a full-size "encore" of the song on its release day. The performance received a wave of praise for its mix of "charisma and charm," as well as...

On the evening of April 27, 2026, a massive double rainbow appeared across a wide area of Japan, including the Kanto region and Shizuoka Prefecture, becoming a major topic of conversation on social media. Following a morning of heavy rainfall, the clouds broke just before sunset to reveal two vivid arches of light, captivating many who stopped to witness the beauty. According to weather media and user reports, the rainbows were exceptionally clear in cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, and Shizuoka. The phenomenon—where a second, fainter arc appears outside the primary rainbow—quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), with "Double Rainbow" hitting the number one spot on the trending list. In what many described as a "peaceful trend," social media timelines were filled with vibrant photos instead of the usual hectic news. Online reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with users posting comments like, "It's my first time seeing one; I feel like something good ...

The three-member group Number_i recently appeared on the NHK music program Venue101, where they performed their song '3XL.' Produced by member Sho Hirano, the performance has ignited a massive response across social media platforms. The highlight of the night was the choreography during the chorus, where the members used their entire bodies to represent the '3XL' title. Hirano’s meticulous production brought out the group's unique personality, leading to a flood of praise from viewers. Fans took to social platforms to express their admiration, with comments such as 'The chorus choreography is too cute' and 'I take my hat off to Sho's production skills.' During the talk segment, the members participated in a '3XL-class' hardcore quiz designed specifically for the show. This segment allowed fans to see a more relaxed side of the trio, showcasing their close bond and providing a charming contrast to their intense performance. Following the b...

Yuta Jinguji of Number_i has emerged as the new face of Givenchy Beauty, appearing in the campaign for their latest "Prism Libre Dual-Tone Highlighter," sparking significant buzz across social media. New visuals showcasing his shimmering transparency and a radiant, light-infused glow have been released, drawing a flurry of ecstatic praise from fans who call it "breathtaking beauty" and "the epitome of translucence." Givenchy Beauty's "Prism Libre Dual-Tone Highlighter" is designed with two colors that softly blend, creating an aurora-like luminescence. Jinguji's new visuals, adorned with this highlighter, emphasize a healthy, natural radiance, described as "closer to his true self than ever before." His captivating elegance stands out remarkably, even when styled casually in denim. On social media platforms, countless posts have emerged, including comments such as, "Jinguji-san's skin transparency and glow are incredibl...

Popular group Number_i has released the performance video of their song "3XL" from "CDTV Live! Live!" (broadcast on TBS on February 2nd) on their official YouTube channel for a limited time, leading to an outpouring of joy from fans on social media. This performance video will be available until March 19, 2026, at 9:59 PM (JST). Immediately upon its release, X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with delighted comments such as "This is exactly what I wanted!" and "We've been waiting for this!" Many fans also expressed that it's "unusual" and "greatly appreciated" for a broadcasted TV performance to be made available on an official channel, making it a much-anticipated surprise for them. The post was filled with words of praise like "I can't stop watching it," "So cool," "Amazing," and "A perfect performance." In particular, member Sho Hirano's dance move, dubbed the "ches...

Yuta Jinguji, a member of the popular group Number_i, has announced his live studio appearance for a special broadcast related to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic men's snowboard halfpipe final, generating significant excitement, especially among fans. The broadcast is scheduled for Saturday, February 14th, at 3:25 AM (late night on Friday, February 13th). Jinguji previously served as the narrator for the NHK documentary "Turning Adversity into Strength ~Snowboarder Ayumu Hirano~". His calm yet passionate narration, delivered with a refined tone, was highly praised by viewers. Many described his voice, which resonated with Hirano's indomitable spirit, as "quiet passion" and "heartfelt," with numerous viewers expressing how deeply moved they were by the program. Following the news of his live appearance, social media platforms were flooded with joyful reactions such as, "I'm so happy to be able to cheer alongside Jinguji-san," "It...

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 expectatio...

The term "General Knowledge" has been trending on X (formerly Twitter), sparking a wide range of discussions from its definition and usefulness in daily life to its application in entertainment content. The Value of "General Knowledge" in Daily Life Many users are rediscovering the practical value of general knowledge, with comments such as, "General knowledge is surprisingly useful in daily life!" and "You might suddenly shine on a quiz show!" However, there were also posts lamenting, "I have neither general knowledge nor common sense," and opinions pointing out that academic background does not necessarily correlate with general knowledge, stating, "Academic background doesn't always equal intelligence. People who have only studied might lack general knowledge." Questions also arose regarding what should be considered "general knowledge," with some questioning the inclusion of knowledge specific to certain cult...

The keyword "Hokkaido Arc" (北海道編) is currently drawing significant attention on social media. Content related to the live tour of idol group Number_i is central to the discussion, with fans expressing both excitement and confusion. Additionally, "Hokkaido Arc" iterations of popular manga series continue to enjoy strong support. As limited-time content for "Number_i LIVE TOUR 2025 No.Ⅱ," a "Hokkaido Arc" video was released, prompting a flood of joyful comments on social media such as "I've been waiting for this!" and "So excited!" Fans seemed delighted by the "cute," "best smiles," and "beautiful and refreshing" appearances of the three members: Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi. However, the videos, which were only "30 seconds" and "33 seconds" long, also sparked confusion and dissatisfaction. Comments like "So short!" "This can't be all, right?...

Popular group Number_i has garnered significant attention on social media after performing their new song "ATAMI" live for the first time. Hashtags such as "#ATAMI" and "#Number_Live" trended, with fans showering the performance with praise. Particular emphasis was placed on the live band performance of "ATAMI." Numerous comments from fans expressed the high quality of the performance, with remarks like "ATAMI with a live band was so cool!" "The live band ATAMI was amazing!" and "ATAMI was wonderful with the live band 😍." Many also discovered a new, sophisticated and mature charm, distinct from Number_i's previous works, stating, "Jazz & Rap ✨ The unprecedented mature atmosphere was so touching and incredibly cool!!" Regarding the song's vibe, fans shared impressions such as "Perfect for listening to while driving at night" and "It's mellow and stylish, makes you want to list...

Popular group Number_i has released a teaser video for their digital single "Numbers Ur Zone," set to be released on Monday, September 15th, causing a significant stir on social media. The latest video, titled "Trailer 'N'," particularly features member Yuta Kishi's breathtaking performance, drawing an outpouring of praise from fans who called it "too cool" and "art." Teaser videos highlighting each member's individuality are being rolled out across major social media platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram, quickly accumulating views. "Numbers Ur Zone" is an ambitious work that the group has described as a "cherished song they've been nurturing for a long time." It is seen to contain Number_i's strong message to aim for "uniqueness" using their own ideas and dance as their weapons, rather than simply pursuing commercial success. The released teaser showcases a glimpse of the song...

Yuta Kishi, a member of the popular group Number_i, has been announced to make his first solo cover appearance on the special edition of the October 2025 issue of fashion & culture magazine 'Numéro TOKYO', generating a massive reaction from fans, particularly on social media. When the information was released on July 29, pre-orders on Amazon and other platforms began instantly, with many fans expressing their joy, posting comments like "Pre-order complete!" and "So happy! Can't wait!" In particular, there was a flurry of praise for his visuals, with enthusiastic comments such as "OMG OMG OMG Yuta Kishi is too cool, I didn't realize my lunch break was 30 minutes over," "Yuta Kishi is so amazing... my heart rate is soaring," and "He's definitely the coolest in the world." This special edition, featuring Yuta Kishi on the cover, includes a large 14-page feature titled "LATE CHECKOUT," which fans are highly...