JO1 Talks Destiny, Firsts and Making Impactful Connections
Written and Photo by Rebecca Rowe On site assist Joshua Timog
| From nine unknown “normal guys” to a team making their mark across the globe, JO1 reflects on their past, present and future through their connection to music, JAM, the group and themselves as individuals.
Their global reach and stardom undeniable from the get go, JO1 marks another milestone in their almost seven year career as a group with the release of their first U.S. original EP, ANIMAL. After expressing their hopes for reaching Billboard 200 status, the EP, charted No. 139 on the Billboard 200 on October 13. The news comes two days after their final performance of their North American tour, only increasing their growing momentum. The achievement marks their impactful presence on a global scale, and emphasizes J-pop’s international appeal.
Formed through popular survival competition, Produce 101 Japan, JO1 debuted in 2020 with single “Protostar” after being voted into the group by viewers. What started as individuals competing for the chance to debut as a group has grown into a multifaceted team of artists transforming and evolving their craft every step of the way.
Reflecting on their debut and their growing list of new “firsts” Máme shared, “When we debuted, we were still just normal people. We were normal guys, but when we got together we became JO1. We started from zero, essentially.” Expressing how the team continues to develop he added, “After seven years, each of us have our individual strengths, our individual experiences on top of the ones we have as a group. So through this U.S. debut [...] we have a need and want, as a team, to grow.”
Introducing a new era of JO1, ANIMAL is reflective of their evolving identity as a group. The album unleashes the member’s animal within, revealing sides that are often hidden from others. With rediscovery, breaking down barriers and coming out of their shell as the album’s central themes, JO1 tackles their identity not only as a group but as individuals as they navigate the metaphorical jungle of life.
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MIXTAPE 317 had the opportunity to sit down with JO1 ahead of their Los Angeles performance. The group shared their experiences connecting to “IGNITE,” shared stories of some favorite moments together and dove into the past as they prepare for what the future holds.
As our team entered the space, we were instantly greeted by welcoming words and kind faces, both the members and staff all taking a moment to say hello. I also had a chance to experience the nerves of live performance, something the members of JO1 never show in their confident stages. Our team had planned to film a dance challenge with the group, and as I step in the room I am hit with the reality that I, a non dancer, am about to dance with worldwide J-Pop icons. Takumi approached to ask me “Can you dance?” to which I confidently replied “No.” He finds this amusing and despite my nerves, the group was very supportive and hype as we later filmed the video together.
Although the nonet looked ready to hit the stage, dressed in their performance outfits from the “WHATCHA DOIN” music video, the members offered a relaxed and comfortable energy.
Following ANIMAL, JO1 launched their latest single “IGNITE,” which features as the intro to season three of the popular anime Tokyo Revengers. The song also serves as the title track alongside three new tracks on their upcoming 11th Single AAO, releasing November 18. As JO1 prepares for the release of single AAO, the members shared that they hope they can continue to inspire fans through the single, encouraging them to break out of their shells.
While there are many ways to build a connection through music, with a song that will become part of someone's experience of a story, as with Tokyo Revengers, we were curious if that changed how the group approached the process through “IGNITE.” “It’s true for global [audiences], but especially in Japan, anime is something we all grew up watching, and something that everyone holds dear to their heart,” says Sky. “We want the fans of anime to be able to feel love for the anime and our song as well. That’s something we really thought about when developing the song. We hope that we will be able to continue to give the message of dreams, hopes and just inspire them through our song.”
Tokyo Revengers tackles themes of making difficult choices, bonds and growth within the realm of time jumping. We asked JO1 if there would be a moment they would like to relive together; within the group's many achievements and milestones there is one memory behind the scenes that particularly stands out for Syoya.
“There’s so many that I’d love to experience again, there was one in particular - we don’t actually do after parties. But there was one time we all were together, we were all having a delicious meal. We didn’t have work the next day, so we were drinking a little bit. That moment was such an amazing time for us.”
And it may not be far off before JO1 can relive the memory. “It’s been a minute, but from what I hear Ruki is currently planning another one like this, so I’m pretty excited for what might be coming soon.” Syoya added as Ruki gave a smile and nod.
Banding together onstage, the members highlight their strength as a team while performing “IGNITE.” Despite having a version of the track with the group’s signature high energy choreography, they use their live performance to evoke the 集会 (shukai), or meetup, from Tokyo Revengers, wearing 特攻服 (tokko-fuku) while standing side by side across the stage and illuminating the members vocal performance. As Máme and Syoya offer a glimpse into the dance while in their chairs, Ren talks about the significance behind their performance “It’s us in the front with all our fans, we’re all in this gang together. Whether it's the fans that are there or not there, we’re all together as one. We’re all in this shukai meetup, all going at it together.”
Despite ANIMAL being the group's official U.S. debut, JO1 is no stranger to the western market. U.S. fans have been showing their support at the group’s appearances at festivals such as KCON LA, Jingle Ball, their discussion and performance at GRAMMY Museum’s Global Spin Live as well as two sold out performances in New York and Los Angeles in 2025. Filled with booming energy, intense choreography, and beaming personalities, no matter where you catch the group, or how many times you’ve seen them, each performance offers the opportunity for new experiences. “There is a reason why it’s different each time. It’s because each time, while we're thinking about the fans there and the fact we’re doing it many times, we're adjusting it based on what we’re feeling as well and what inspirations we get," says Junki. Encouraging fans to attend he adds, “Mainly what we want to say is that we want people to come to the shows and experience it for themselves.”
At the time of our meeting JO1 has since visited four stops on the five stop tour, and will close out their North American leg in Los Angeles the following day. Keigo expressed his hopes for LA JAM preparing for the concert, “It’s our last stop tomorrow, and the main thing is I just want to hear everyone shout as loud as they can. Louder than any other cities, because it’s the final. We want to make sure it’s exciting not only for the fans but for us as well.”
We attended their show the next day at The Novo Theatre in Downtown LA where the crowd proved their dedication by lining up hours before the venue doors opened. While inside, fans waved handmade signs in support of the group, cheered, and sang loudly to every number, leaving the venue floors literally shaking while jumping along.
While JAM is preparing for the show and bringing the energy in the crowd, backstage is often its own scene of excitement. At one point the members all joined in to point out Sky’s enthusiasm backstage. “They say I’m always singing before the shows,” confirms Sky. Other members join in to comment on all the places they can hear him singing, the bus and the green room for example, calling it “Sky solo live.”
“So you’re the hype man?” I ask. “Yes!” Sho answers enthusiastically as Sky nods along.
Their playful energy slipped in through moments of our time together. Several members danced in their chairs throughout the interview and they all giggled at each other as they spoke. Takumi even shared that he often loves to visit Guitar Center while in LA, adding he hopes one day to buy one of their most expensive guitars and bring it home with him to Japan.
Sharing a special bond with JAM, JO1 has incorporated their mutual love for their fans within their music throughout their career. JAM, which stands for “JO1 and Me,” signifies that one can not exist without the other. JAM has been intertwined with JO1 since their creation, and the group has expressed their bond with fans through songs such as “My Friends,” “With Us,” and “Bon Voyage,” and in 2025 fans voted to determine the tracklist to their first greatest hits album BE CLASSIC. AAO will include a new song “PEKO PEKO,”* which Junki described as “A song that was specifically made for JAM.” Working hard on the track at a song camp in Korea he adds, “The fact I was able to make a song specifically for them makes me very happy.”
Whether you’ve been with the group since their inception on Produce 101 Japan, happened to see an ad for their upcoming performance, or stumbled across their latest single, according to Ruki it was no accident.
“There is no such thing as random, it’s destiny. I feel that we have to respect that because each of our fans and us are together through destiny. We want to make sure every single moment, every single day we put our 100 percent in and respect that we are bound together by this destiny.”
To wrap up, we asked the group as they continue to evolve, create new music and hit new “firsts,” what do they hope for JO1? Sho shared the final sentiment, “We hope to enjoy with our fans. This tour is the first step for us to perform for international fans. So in the future we hope to come back here, with more cities and a lot of the fans. We want to meet you guys. We want to create more new songs, new choreo. And of course, for the fans, we want you guys to feel happiness and joy. We can change the world. Everyone be happy and enjoy.”
JO1 will release their upcoming single AAO on November 18.
*PEKO PEKO, which describes the feeling of an empty stomach, can be translated into English similar to “very hungry.”
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