INI (Japanese boy group)

Japanese boy band

INI

INI in March 2023

Background information
Origin| Japan
Genres| J-pop, K-pop[1]
Years active| 2021 (2021)–present
Labels| Lapone Entertainment
Members|

* Masaya Kimura
* Hiromu Takatsuka
* Shogo Tajima
* Kyosuke Fujimaki
* Takumi Ozaki
* Hiroto Nishi
* Jin Matsuda
* Xu Fengfan
* Rihito Ikezaki
* Yudai Sano
* Takeru Goto

Website| ini-official.com

INI (Japanese: アイエヌアイ, Aienuai) is a Japanese boy band formed through the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan 2. The group is composed of eleven members: Masaya Kimura, Hiromu Takatsuka, Shogo Tajima, Kyosuke Fujimaki, Takumi Ozaki, Hiroto Nishi, Jin Matsuda, Xu Fengfan, Rihito Ikezaki, Yudai Sano and Takeru Goto. Like the winners of the first season of Produce 101 Japan, INI is intended to be a permanent group. The group is managed by Lapone Entertainment, a joint company between Yoshimoto Kogyo and CJ ENM.[2]

They made their debut on November 3, 2021, with the single A.[3]

## Name[edit]

INI official logo.

The group's name, INI, was chosen by Lapone Entertainment among all the suggestions given by the viewers through Produce 101 Japan's official website. The name was announced during the final episode of the show.[4]

The official meaning of the name is "the 11 of us (me/I) who met on Produce 101 Japan Season 2 connect (Network) with you (I)".[5][4]

## Members[edit]

* Masaya Kimura (木村 柾哉)
* Hiromu Takatsuka (髙塚 大夢)
* Shogo Tajima (田島 将吾)
* Kyosuke Fujimaki (藤牧 京介)
* Takumi Ozaki (尾崎 匠海)
* Hiroto Nishi (西 洸人)
* Jin Matsuda (松田 迅)
* Xu Fengfan (許 豊凡)
* Rihito Ikezaki (池﨑 理人)
* Yudai Sano (佐野 雄大)
* Takeru Goto (後藤 威尊)

## Discography[edit]

### Albums[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and sales  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Sales  | Certifications

|
|
|
|

JPN
[6]
Awakening |

* Released: December 14, 2022
* Label: Lapone Entertainment
* Formats: CD, digital download

| 1  |

* JPN: 266,814 (phy.)[7]

* RIAJ: Platinum (phy.)[8]

Match Up |

* Released: February 14, 2024
* Label: Lapone Entertainment
* Formats: CD, digital download

| 1  |

* JPN: 247,975[9]

### Singles[edit]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Sales  | Certifications  | Album

|
|
|
|
|

JPN
[10]
A | 2021  | 1  |

* JPN: 571,850[11]

* RIAJ: 2× Platinum (phy.)[12]

| Awakening
I | 2022  | 1  |

* JPN: 581,016[13]

* RIAJ: 3× Platinum (phy.)[14]

M | 1  |

* JPN: 495,178[15]

* RIAJ: 3× Platinum (phy.)[16]

Drop That | 2023  | 1  |

* JPN: 374,050[17]

* RIAJ: 2× Platinum (phy.)[18]

| Non-album singles
Tag Me | 1  |

* JPN: 306,486[19]

* RIAJ: 2× Platinum (phy.)[20]

### Promotional singles[edit]

List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Certifications  | Album

|
|
|
|

JPN
Hot
[21]
"Rocketeer"  | 2021  | 2  |

* RIAJ: Gold (st.)[22]

| A and Awakening
"Brighter"  | —  |
"Call 119"  | 2022  | 1  |

* RIAJ: Platinum (st.)[23]

| I and Awakening
"We Are"  | 86  |
"Password"  | 1  |

* RIAJ: Gold (st.)[24]

| M and Awakening
"Spectra"  | 16  |  | Awakening
"Fanfare"  | 2023  | 2  |  | Drop That
"Hana" (HANA_花)  | 2  |  | Tag Me
"Legit"  | 2024  | 27  |  | Match Up
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

## Awards and nominations[edit]

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) and the result of the award  Award ceremony  | Year  | Category  | Nominee/work  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Japan Gold Disc Award | 2022  | Best 5 New Artist  | INI  | Won  | [25]
Japan Record Awards | 2021 | Best New Artist  | Won  | [26]
Line Music 2021 Trend Award  | 2021  | Trend Artist  | Won  | [27]
Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2021 | Favorite Asian Artist  | Won  | [28]
MAMA Awards | 2023 | Favorite Asian Male Group  | Won  | [29]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "From J-pop to K-pop and back to J-pop once more". Korea JoongAng Daily. August 26, 2001. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
2. ^ Naoko, Yokota (September 22, 2019). "韓国の人気オーディション番組 吉本と組んで日本上陸" [Popular Korean audition show landed in Japan in partnership with Yoshimoto.]. Nikkei Sports (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
3. ^ "INI debut single "A" will be released on Wednesday, November 3, 2021!". INI Official. September 18, 2021. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
4. ^ a b "11人のメンバーで構成のグローバルグループ"INI"（アイエヌアイ）11月3日デビュー決定！" [The 11-member global group INI will debut on 3 November!]. Screen Online (in Japanese). September 8, 2021. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
5. ^ "【INI】メンバーの年齢、身長、出身地、メンバーカラーなどプロフィールを紹介！" [[INI] Profile of members, including age, height, hometown and member colours!]. More (in Japanese). June 21, 2023. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
6. ^ Peak chart positions on the Oricon Albums Chart:
* "Awakening". Oricon (in Japanese). December 12–18, 2022. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
* "Match Up". Oricon (in Japanese). February 12–18, 2024. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
7. ^
* "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-12" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
* "Oricon Weekly Album Ranking: August 21, 2023" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
8. ^ "Japanese album certifications – INI – Awakening" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2023. Select 2022年12月 on the drop-down menu
9. ^ オリコン週間 アルバムランキング 2024年02月12日～2024年02月18日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking February 12, 2024 – February 18, 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
10. ^ Peak chart positions on the Oricon Singles Chart:
* "INIのシングル売上". Oricon (in Japanese). March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
* "A (Rocketeer/Brighter)". Oricon (in Japanese). November 1–7, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
* "I (Call 119/We Are)". Oricon (in Japanese). April 18–24, 2022. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
* "M (Password)". Oricon (in Japanese). August 22–28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
* "Tag Me (Hana)". Oricon (in Japanese). October 9–15, 2023. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
11. ^ Cumulative sales of A:
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/11/10".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/11/17".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/11/24".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/12/01".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/12/08".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/12/15".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/12/22".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021/12/29".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/01/05".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/01/12".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/01/19".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/01/26".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/02/02".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/02/09".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/02/16".
* "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2022/02/23".
12. ^ "Japanese single certifications – INI – A" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved May 13, 2022. Select 2021年11月 on the drop-down menu
13. ^ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2022年04月18日～2022年04月24日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking April 18, 2022 – April 24, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
14. ^ "Japanese Triple Platinum certifications – INI – I" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2023. Select 2022年4月 on the drop-down menu
15. ^ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2022年08月22日～2022年08月28日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking August 22, 2022 – August 28, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
16. ^ "Japanese single certifications – INI – M" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2023. Select 2022年8月 on the drop-down menu
17. ^ Accumulated Sales on Oricon Chart:
* オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2023年05月22日～2023年05月28日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking May 22, 2023 – May 28, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
* オリコン月間 シングルランキング 2023年06月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking June, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
18. ^ "Japanese single certifications – INI – Drop That" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 10, 2023. Select 2023年10月 on the drop-down menu
19. ^ Accumulated sales on Oricon Chart:
* オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2023年10月09日～2023年10月15日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking October 9, 2023 – October 15, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
20. ^ "Japanese single certifications – INI – Tag Me" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 8, 2023. Select 2023年11月 on the drop-down menu
21. ^ Peak chart positions on Billboard Japan's Hot 100:
* "Rocketeer". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "Call 119". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "We Are". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "Password". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "Spectra". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "New Day". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "Fanfare". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "My Story". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "Moment". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "Hana". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
* "Legit". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
22. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – INI – Rocketeer" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved May 13, 2022. Select 2021年12月 on the drop-down menu
23. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – INI – Call 119" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved July 26, 2022. Select 2022年6月 on the drop-down menu
24. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – INI – Password" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 10, 2023. Select 2023年2月 on the drop-down menu
25. ^ "第36回日本ゴールドディスク大賞". 日本ゴールドディスク大賞 (in Japanese). Retrieved May 6, 2022.
26. ^ "【レコ大】INI、新人賞受賞に「イエーイ」 30日生放送は「感謝の気持ちを込めて」 | ORICON NEWS". December 8, 2021. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
27. ^ "LINE MUSIC 2021 トレンドアワード発表！". December 1, 2021.
28. ^ "JO1が「BEST ASIAN ARTIST JAPAN」、INIが「FAVORITE ASIAN ARTIST」をそれぞれ受賞！＜2021 MAMA＞". Model Press (in Japanese). December 11, 2021.
29. ^ Saxena, Saumya (November 28, 2023). "MAMA Awards 2023 Day 1 Winners: BTS, TXT, RIIZE, TREASURE and more bag prestigious awards". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.

## External links[edit]

* official website (in Japanese)

* v
* t
* e

INI

* Masaya Kimura
* Hiromu Takatsuka
* Shogo Tajima
* Kyosuke Fujimaki
* Takumi Osaki
* Hiroto Nishi
* Jin Matsuda
* Xu Fengfan
* Rihito Ikezaki
* Yudai Sano
* Takeru Goto

Related topics|

* Produce 101 Japan (season 2)
* Yoshimoto Kogyo
* CJ ENM

* v
* t
* e

Produce 101

Seasons|

* 1
* contestants
* 2
* contestants
* 3 (48)
* contestants
* 4 (X)
* contestants

Spin-offs|

| China|

* Produce 101 China
* Chuang 2019
* Chuang 2020
* Chuang 2021

|

Japan|

* Japan
* Japan Season 2
* Japan The Girls

Thailand|

* Chuang Asia: Thailand

Groups|

* I.O.I
* Wanna One
* IZ*ONE
* X1
* Rocket Girls 101
* R1SE
* BonBon Girls 303
* INTO1
* JO1
* INI
* ME:I

Winners|

| Season 1 (I.O.I)|

* Jeon So-mi
* Kim Se-jeong
* Choi Yoo-jung
* Kim Chung-ha
* Kim So-hye
* Zhou Jieqiong
* Jung Chae-yeon
* Kim Do-yeon
* Kang Mi-na
* Lim Na-young
* Yoo Yeon-jung

|

Season 2 (Wanna One)|

* Kang Daniel
* Park Ji-hoon
* Lee Dae-hwi
* Kim Jae-hwan
* Ong Seong-wu
* Park Woo-jin
* Lai Kuan-lin
* Yoon Ji-sung
* Hwang Min-hyun
* Bae Jin-young
* Ha Sung-woon

48 (IZ*ONE)|

* Jang Won-young
* Sakura Miyawaki
* Jo Yu-ri
* Choi Ye-na
* An Yu-jin
* Nako Yabuki
* Kwon Eun-bi
* Kang Hye-won
* Hitomi Honda
* Kim Chae-won
* Kim Min-ju
* Lee Chae-yeon

X (X1)|

* Kim Yo-han
* Kim Woo-seok
* Han Seung-woo
* Song Hyeong-jun
* Cho Seung-youn
* Son Dong-pyo
* Lee Han-gyul
* Nam Do-hyon
* Cha Jun-ho
* Kang Min-hee
* Lee Eun-sang

Other notable
contestants and groups|

| Season 1|

* An Ye-seul
* Chu Ye-jin
* Han Hye-ri
* Heo Chan-mi
* Hwang In-sun
* Jeon So-yeon
* Kang Si-ra
* Ki Hui-hyeon
* Kim Ji-sung
* Kim Ju-na
* Kim Si-hyeon
* Kim So-hee
* Kwon Eun-bin
* Lee Hae-in
* Park Si-yeon
* Yoon Chae-kyung

|

Season 2|

* Choi Min-ki
* Jang Dae-hyeon
* Jeong Se-woon
* Jin Longguo
* Justin Huang
* Kang Dong-ho
* Kim Dong-han
* Kim Dong-hyun
* Kim Jong-hyun
* Kim Samuel
* Kwon Hyun-bin
* Lee You-jin
* Roh Tae-hyun
* Yoo Seon-ho
* Zhu Zhengting

48|

* Alex Christine
* Hong Ye-ji
* Huh Yun-jin
* Juri Takahashi
* Jurina Matsui
* Kim Do-ah
* Kim Si-hyeon
* Mako Kojima
* Miho Miyazaki
* Miru Shiroma
* Miyu Takeuchi
* Rena Hasegawa
* Sae Murase
* Shin Su-hyun
* Tomu Muto
* Yūka Kato

* Kim Min-kyu
* Lee Jin-hyuk
* Park Sun-ho
* Song Yuvin

Groups|

| Korean|

* I.B.I
* JBJ

|

Japanese|

* Orbit
* Maison B
* Octpath

Discography|

| Extended plays|

* 35 Girls 5 Concepts
* 35 Boys 5 Concepts
* Produce 101 – Final
* 30 Girls 6 Concepts
* Produce 48 – Final
* 31 Boys 5 Concepts

|

Singles|

* "Pick Me"
* "It's Me (Pick Me)"
* "Nekkoya (Pick Me)"

Related articles|

* &Team
* Rainz
* MXM
* Longguo & Shihyun
* Hyeongseop X Euiwoong
* Teen Teen
* BDC
* B.O.Y
* H&D
* Mnet vote manipulation investigation

* Category

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

*[phy.]: physical
*[st.]: streaming
*[Ref.]: Reference(s)
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