Six years after their formation through PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, JO1 are entering a defining new phase of their career. The nine-member group have established themselves as one of Japan’s prominent boy groups, earning consecutive No. 1 singles on the Oricon charts and building a dedicated international fanbase. Now, with ANIMAL, their US debut EP, they are taking a new step towards reaching audiences beyond the market that made them.

Released on October 2 alongside the opening date of their first North American tour, ANIMAL represents more than a change in language. Entirely produced by Grammy-winning producer Dem Jointz, the project brings together the group’s performance-driven identity with a sound designed to invite immediate participation. Across its 18-minute runtime, the EP embraces energy, celebration and physical expression, with lead single “WHATCHA DOIN” offering an accessible introduction to the group’s world. Yet “SAKURA” provides a contrasting perspective, retaining a distinctly Japanese character in its sound and lyrics. Together, the tracks reflect JO1’s ambition to reach new listeners without losing sight of the identity they have spent six years developing.

For the members, working in English has prompted a reconsideration of how they communicate through music. RUKI describes the challenge of navigating pronunciation and rhythm in an unfamiliar language, while discovering new ways to convey emotion through his voice, expressions and performance. Rather than feeling compelled to reinvent themselves for an international audience, the experience has reinforced their understanding of what makes JO1 distinct.

Formed through PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, JO1 emerged from a process in which viewers helped determine their future. Six years later, the members have developed a different kind of connection: SKY recalls an early dynamic that still felt like an extension of the survival audition, contrasting it with the trust and mutual respect they share today.

Now, as JO1 takes their music into new cities and meets audiences who may be discovering them for the first time, they show the world what JO1 have become – and what they can still become.