by martina rexrode
photo courtesy of number_i
One of the biggest acts to come out of Japan is Number_i, a three-member boy group composed of Sho Hirano (SHO), Yuta Jinguji (JIN), and Yuta Kishi (KC). After bursting onto the international music scene in 2024 with their debut full-length album, No.I, they’ve since reached the top of various Billboard charts and Spotify lists, and played their first U.S. stage at Coachella that same year. Number_i hit it out of the park almost immediately, but they haven’t slowed down yet. The group just released their REBON / BUGS LIFE / DIGITAL GIRL EP featuring six tracks, and sat down to speak to Unclear about everything leading up to this project and beyond.
First things first, the three of you have had a busy last couple of years, and you’ve got an exciting release coming up later this month. How are you all feeling right at this moment?
JIN: “It’s finally here. We’ve been listening to these songs for months now, so we’re pretty used to them, but I’m really happy that they’re finally reaching everyone. The soundscape and overall vibe are really consistent this time. I think it turned out to be a great EP with a cohesive feel, so much so that you can enjoy it even on shuffle.”
SHO: “Man, it really feels like... we had this concept of ‘digital,’ and within that, we're really showing a wide range of styles with all six tracks. There are fun tracks, hyped-up tracks, and even some chill, emotional ones.”
KC: “That kind of range is great.”
SHO: “I hope listening to this sound gets the people who are eagerly waiting for our live show even more excited. I hope everyone imagines it in their own way, and we get to betray those expectations in the best way possible.”
What’s it like seeing the response to your latest single “BUGS LIFE” in the month or two since its release?
SHO: “You know, I really felt that yesterday.” [Their September 19 festival performance at ROCK IN JAPAN 2026.]
JIN: “For sure.”
SHO: “I mean, of course we get comments on SNS, but we performed at a festival in Japan yesterday. When ‘BUGS LIFE’ started playing, the reaction from the crowd—like, ‘Whoa!’—that atmosphere was amazing.”
KC: “You couldn't really get that tangible, skin-to-skin feeling before, right? Exactly. Yesterday was the first time, right? I get it. Even on music shows, there wasn't really an audience like that.”
SHO: “Right, so yesterday was the first time we performed it in front of people and got to hear their cheers directly. It went absolutely crazy. It’s definitely a song that shines especially at concerts and festivals. So yeah, I really felt it yesterday.”
KC: “I felt the exact same way yesterday. I was just about to say yesterday, too.”
SHO: “Ah, so we’re all on the same page then—united as one!”
With this track being produced by Yuta Jinguji, I’d love to hear more about the creative process behind it! Can you tell us how you first came up with the idea for its unique sound?
JIN: “I remember it taking about six months to make. We tried out a lot of different things as we put it together, and there were times when we really struggled with it. But in the end, we kept stripping things away just right until it became the song it is now. Yeah.”
What were each of your favorite parts of the creative process for your upcoming EP? Do you prefer the parts that lead up to the release date (recording, rehearsing, etc.) or what comes after (promotion, performing, etc.)?
SHO: “The process, huh? What part do I like? Hmm, to be honest, I kind of like all of it.”
JIN: “All of it, right.”
SHO: “You know how we made it together at the house of the music team we always work with? It took around 12 hours there, right? But I actually like those moments in the middle when everyone gets stuck and sighs, ‘Phew... what should we do?’ Then everyone throws out tons of ideas and tries them out over and over. That period felt a bit like Einstein, in a way—just constantly experimenting, like ‘What happens if we mix this and this?’ Usually, in situations like this, we can be a bit shy, so if there are people we don't know around, we tend to hold back a little, right?”
JIN: “Yeah, that can definitely happen.”
SHO: “But in that setting, we can say totally silly things, like ‘What if we throw this in here?’ and then be like, ‘Let's give it a try.’ If it turns out weird, we just frankly say it's weird, and if it's good, we're like, ‘Whoa, this might be really great!’ So yeah, I really love that experimental process.”
JIN: ”I get that. And of course, I'm really looking forward to the performances.”
SHO: “Ah, good point! Right, because we haven't performed them yet—well, we did a little bit yesterday at ROCK IN JAPAN. When you present a new song for the first time, there's a great sense of excitement on the performer's side, too. It's like, ‘This is the first time, let's blow them away!’ Yeah. And I'm really curious to see everyone's reaction, too. It's exciting.”
KC: “Totally agree. Personally, I especially love the time when we're all making music together and also definitely the performance as well. Honestly, if I'm being greedy, it's both—I just can't choose one over the other.”
Tracks like “REBON” and “DIGITAL GIRL” are filled with beat switches that keep listeners on the edge of their seat. Would you say these unexpected moments are becoming a signature aspect of your sound as a group?
SHO: “Definitely, yes.”
JIN: “Yeah, we do. If you ask whether we're conscious of it, we definitely are.”
KC: “We're extremely conscious of it. Part of it is that we get bored easily. Most of our songs are only about three minutes long, but within that time, we're always searching for how we can make a beat switch that fits the song best.”
SHO: “But it's not just about changing it for the sake of changing it, you know? It's about switching things up while still maintaining a sense of cohesion as a single track.”
KC: “It might look like we're not thinking much about it, but it's actually really well thought out and calculated. Extremely calculated.”
SHO: “Right, like how we transition back to the pre-chorus after the beat switch. Exactly. That part is super tricky. But by doing that, it really brings out that Number_i style—that chaotic vibe, in a good way.”
KC: “Singing it is hard, too, actually. We practice it quite a lot behind the scenes. Please give it a try as well!”
Which track on the new EP are you most excited for your fans and for new listeners to hear?
SHO: “Wow, this one is tough. Hmm... the one I want people to listen to the most? Man, but for me, I think it might be ‘BUGS LIFE.’ I feel like it has everything that makes us Number_i packed into it—our individual personalities as a trio, the sound of the track, the performance, even the effortless vibe of the performance. Visually and auditorily, it’s completely filled with our signature style.”
KC: “It really is packed with it, yeah. That might be it. That track pretty much has it all. ‘BUGS LIFE’ honestly.”
JIN: “Also, the songs each of us produced are really great too, right?”
SHO: “Yeah, definitely. They're super good. They really showcase our distinct individualities, or ‘three people, three colors,’ so to speak.”
JIN: “Yeah, each track has its own clear color.”
SHO: “The colors really come through, so people can listen and be like, ‘Ah, so this is their style!’ I think that's really awesome.”
You started your global career off strong with your first US performance at Coachella in 2024. What are some other artistic goals you have for yourselves after this EP drops?
SHO: “For me... I don't really have a specific goal, in a good way. It's more like not setting a ceiling for ourselves. Well, just like the universe, you know? Having a ceiling would be boring, wouldn't it?”
KC: “Absolutely.”
SHO: “It's like... going as far as we possibly can. We want people to listen to our music, but of course no one has to force themselves. We just want to create a fun space together with those who listen and genuinely enjoy it, see all kinds of new sights, and make great memories—that’s really how I feel.”