ONE OR EIGHT have arrived with their highly anticipated first EP, EN-GÏNE, a six-track collection that captures the Japanese boy group at their most electric. The project carries the group's signature message of unity while pushing their sound into new heights.
The EP arrives on the heels of "INVINCIBLE," the project's second single, which reveals a softer, more introspective side of the group, alongside the already-beloved 'YANKEE SQUAT' — a track the members debuted live at the Head In The Clouds festival in LA.
Yankee Squat Music Video
ONE OR EIGHT are on a roll with the additional announcement of "Yellow Brick Road," a new single set to serve as the ending theme for the second season of the globally popular anime Black Clover, which premieres October 3, 2026 on TV Tokyo. The song, arriving on all platforms October 7th, draws a parallel between the anime's characters and the group's own journey — following your own path alongside friends despite adversity.
Alongside the music, the group has pulled back the curtain on their world through two documentary-style series: ICHIBACHI! - BET from Tokyo to the World, a road-movie chronicle of their North and Latin American tour streaming on Hulu in Japan, and ICHIKABACHIA! - Behind the 1st LIVE TOUR 'GATHER', a weekly behind-the-scenes series on their YouTube channel.
In the middle of this whirlwind era, the members of ONE OR EIGHT took time from their busy schedule to talk about the new EP EN-GÏNE, and life on the road.
“YANKEE SQUAT” takes inspiration from the iconic Japanese “yankee squat.” What made this symbol the perfect way to express the message of the song?
TAKERU: One of our core concepts is bringing Japan to the world, so I think it’s really cool that we’re able to introduce such a uniquely Japanese subculture to audiences around the world. At the same time, I think Japanese fans can look at it and feel a sense of nostalgia. That combination is probably what makes this a song that can resonate with so many different people.
TSUBASA: Our interpretation of “yankee” is about creating your own place in the world rather than waiting for someone else to give you one. We wanted to express that message through this song.
The music video introduces Japanese street culture through the perspective of overseas researchers. What details or references do you hope international fans notice after watching it?
MIZUKI: There are scenes that are actually styled like old-school Japanese yankee magazines, so I’d love for people to compare them with real yankee magazines and see the similarities. We’ve also incorporated little details in the streetscapes and overall atmosphere that you might only recognize if you’re familiar with Japan. I hope international fans pay attention to those details, too!
NEO: I hope international fans notice the small details that make Japanese street culture feel authentic. Things like the way people dress, the locations, the body language, and the atmosphere of the streets are all important. Rather than just seeing Japan as a backdrop, I’d love for people to discover the attitude and individuality behind the culture.
Was there a funny situation that happened while filming the “YANKEE SQUAT” music video?
SOUMA: There are scenes in the music video where we’re squatting on top of signs and utility poles, but those were actually created with CG. Seeing us on a green screen making these intimidating faces while filming was so surreal and funny!
TSUBASA: When we were developing the visuals, we really focused on how closely we could get to the yankee aesthetic. But once we actually went out into the streets dressed like that, we looked so intimidating that it was honestly hilarious.
Compared to “TOKYO DRIFT,” what new side of ONE OR EIGHT do you think “YANKEE SQUAT” shows?
RYOTA: “YANKEE SQUAT” has a more playful and mischievous side that we haven’t really shown before. The word “SQUAT” appears in the lyrics, but we also literally squat in the choreography, which is another new side of our performance. Another distinctive element is that multiple members sing together during the hook where we say “yankee.”
MIZUKI: I think you’ll get to see a side of ONE OR EIGHT that embodies the spirit of the yankee culture! We weren’t actually part of the yankee generation ourselves, so each of us did our own research and developed our own interpretation of the style. I hope you enjoy seeing each member’s take on it!
The title EN-GÏNE suggests energy and momentum. What does the EP title represent to the group, and how does it connect all of the songs together?
MIZUKI: As the title EN-GÏNE suggests, the EP represents us gathering together through GATHER, starting our engine, and continuing to move forward. As we enter our third year, we’re shifting into a higher gear and building even more momentum, so I think EN-GÏNE is the perfect title for ONE OR EIGHT right now.
We also feel that the title perfectly represents the music on the EP. There are songs that raise your energy and get you fired up, as well as songs that give you courage. In that sense, several of the tracks really embody what EN-GÏNE stands for.
NEO: To me, “EN-GÏNE” represents the energy that keeps ONE OR EIGHT moving forward. It’s about momentum, but also about the internal drive that makes you want to keep pushing yourself. Each song has a different mood, but they’re connected by that feeling of movement and energy.
Congratulations on the successful finale of your first live tour, ONE OR EIGHT 1st LIVE TOUR -GATHER-! Now that you’ve reached this milestone, how do you think the experience has prepared you for the next stage of your global journey?
NEO: The tour taught us a lot about what ONE OR EIGHT can become as a live act. Performing night after night and seeing people from different backgrounds connect with our music gave us a much clearer understanding of our global potential. It also made us more confident in expressing ourselves on stage. I think we’re ready to take everything we learned and go even further.
REIA: First of all, we’re really happy and grateful that we were able to complete the GATHER TOUR successfully and meet so many 1DERZ around the world. This experience showed us areas where we still have room to grow, but it also strengthened the bond between us and made us want to visit even more countries we haven’t been to yet. We were also given the incredible opportunity to experience something we had never done before—traveling across the United States. None of that would have been possible without 1DERZ, so we’re incredibly grateful.
YUGA: When we went to Argentina, there was a circle pit during our performance of “DSTM.” I had never seen anything like that before, so I was really surprised—but also really happy to see it!
SOUMA: During our Mexico show, we saw fans throwing plush toys of a famous Mexican pharmacy mascot onto the stage. I was really surprised because I had never seen anything like that before. I remember thinking, “Oh, everyone throws these plushies!”
The documentary ICHIBACHI! shows both the exciting and challenging moments of touring. Was there a scene that made you think, “I’m glad fans finally get to see this side of us”?
YUGA: I’m glad people got to see our natural, unfiltered selves, of course, but I also think it was great that fans could see footage of our rehearsals and how seriously we talked things through and prepared together before going on stage.
RYOTA: I think it was nice that people got to see that even while traveling overseas, we still had free time to enjoy ourselves and do the things we like!
Which member do you think would actually spend the most time browsing a Japanese convenience store, and who gets in and out the fastest?
YUGA:
Longest → SOUMA
Shortest → REIA
REIA: I think I’d actually spend the most time browsing. I usually want to get in and out quickly, but I tend to decide what I want while I’m there, so I probably end up taking a while.
As for who would shop the fastest, I’d say NEO. He seems like the type who already knows exactly what he wants and can make his purchase efficiently.
The themes of friendship and community are central to “YANKEE SQUAT.” What is one quality each member brings to the group that helps ONE OR EIGHT stay strong as a team?
TSUBASA: ONE OR EIGHT is made up of members with very strong and unique personalities. I think we’re at our strongest when we bring all of those individual qualities together and turn them into one piece of work.
REIA: One of our strengths is that we’re all stubborn in our own ways, with completely different personalities and strong individual identities. But what’s great about us is that we genuinely care about each other. Whenever something happens, we’re always quick to support and be there for one another.
ONE OR EIGHT performed their new tracks on the major weekly music shows in Korea including Music Bank and Inkigayo. This October brings the "ONE OR EIGHT Special SHOW CASE 2026 in ASIA V8," with stops in Singapore, Manila, and Bangkok, plus the launch of "ONE OR EIGHT SHŪKAI 2026-2027 in JAPAN -2GATHER-," an ambitious fan meeting tour touching all 47 of Japan's prefectures.
Listen to EN-GÏNE