The numbers are in, and they mark a turning point for Japanese pop on the U.S. charts. JO1’s first full English-language EP, ANIMAL, has arrived with a debut that lands them squarely on the Billboard 200 and across a sweeping range of sales and artist rankings — a clear signal that the group’s global strategy is working.
JO1
Japanese Boy Group Debuts at No. 139 on Billboard 200, Reaches No. 2 on Emerging Artists and Indie Store Album Sales Charts
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The global boy group has reached a career-defining milestone with the release of ANIMAL, their first project recorded entirely in English. The six-track EP entered the Billboard 200 at No. 139, while also climbing to No. 2 on Indie Store Album Sales, No. 5 on Top Current Album Sales, No. 7 on Top Album Sales, and No. 15 on Independent Albums. The group’s presence extended beyond the album charts as well: they secured the No. 2 spot on Emerging Artists and landed at No. 62 on the Artist 100, underscoring their fast-growing footprint in the U.S. music scene.
Released on October 2, ANIMAL serves as JO1’s official U.S. debut and signals a bold new phase for the Japanese act. The project leans into an internationally minded sound, features deeper creative input from the members themselves, and includes production across all six tracks from Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Dem Jointz.
The chart performance comes right after JO1 wrapped their first-ever North American tour, which opened October 2 in Toronto and closed October 11 at The Novo in Los Angeles. That run brought the group face-to-face with audiences in major cities across the continent, helping to solidify their bond with international fans and widen their reach beyond their home market.
Altogether, the combination of chart debuts, live shows, and fan engagement points to a surge in JO1’s global standing — and it also adds to the growing visibility of Japanese artists making headway in the worldwide music industry. By appearing across both album sales tallies and artist rankings, JO1 is helping demonstrate that Japanese pop can resonate far beyond its traditional borders.
Designed to reveal a fresh side of the group, ANIMAL captures JO1 at their most raw and unrestrained. The EP explores themes of freedom, individuality, and pushing past expectations, all while expanding the sound and performance identity that has made them one of Japan’s most notable current acts.
At the heart of the project sits the title track, “ANIMAL,” a high-energy dance anthem centered on letting out the hidden parts of yourself. Member Takumi Kawanishi contributed to the song’s composition, a reflection of how much more involved the members have become in shaping their music. The accompanying music video amplifies the track’s message with sharp choreography and visuals that symbolize the group moving beyond familiar limits and onto a more global stage.
With the Billboard 200 debut, several Top 10 placements, and a completed North American tour, JO1 is closing out a pivotal chapter in their international rise. ANIMAL is more than a U.S. introduction — it marks the start of a new era as the group expands its musical range, deepens its connection with fans overseas, and continues opening doors for Japanese artists on the world stage.
ANIMAL is available now across all major streaming platforms.
JO1 BILLBOARD CHART DEBUTS
• Billboard 200: No. 139
• Artist 100: No. 62
• Independent Albums: No. 15
• Top Album Sales: No. 7
• Top Current Album Sales: No. 5
• Indie Store Album Sales: No. 2
• Emerging Artists: No. 2
ABOUT JO1
JO1 is a 9-member global boy group on the rise to becoming worldwide stars. Emerging from PRODUCE 101 JAPAN on March 4, 2020, they have quickly made their mark with their remarkable talent, chart-topping hits and dynamic performances. Consisting of 9 members — Sho, Ren, Ruki, Junki, Keigo, Takumi, Syoya, Sky and MÁME — they were formed through 65 million votes by their passionate fans, the “nation’s producers.” JO1 is carving out a major presence not only in Japan but across the globe.
JO1 has nine consecutive number-one singles on the Oricon charts, including the record-breaking debut single “Protostar,” which sold over 300,000 copies in its first week. They have eight number-one songs and two number-one albums on Billboard Japan, with “Wandering” achieving double platinum status. They’ve earned three MTV Video Music Awards Japan, three MAMA Awards and one Japan Gold Disc Award, including Favorite Asian Artist at the 2022 MAMA Awards.
JO1 SOCIALS
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For inquiries on JO1, please contact:
Angela Mach
angela@platformpr.net
Angela Mach
Platform PR
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Why it matters: JO1’s Billboard 200 debut and multiple top-tier chart placements show that Japanese pop acts can break through in the U.S. market when they bring fresh sound and real fan momentum. As they continue to tour and release globally minded music, JO1 is helping reshape expectations for what Japanese artists can achieve internationally.
