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
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]
Career
Pre-debut: Formation through Produce 101 Japan Season 2
In November 2020, applications for the second season of Produce 101 Japan, the Japanese spin-off of the South Korean Produce 101 franchise, opened.[6] The series began airing in April 2021, with the finale broadcast live on TBS on June 13, where the final 11 members of the group were decided. Unlike other groups made from the Produce 101 series, INI, like their predecessors JO1, are a permanent group.[7]
Prior to their debut, each of the 11 members had varying degrees of experience in the entertainment industry. Kimura and Nishi worked as back-up dancers while Tajima had been a trainee at Cube Entertainment for 2 years prior to his appearance in the show.[8][9] Ozaki was previously under Avex Management, Fujimaki was active on TikTok and had amassed over 190,000 followers, and Xu was previously a trainee in China.[10]
2021: Debut with A
On September 4, Masaya was selected as the group's leader,[11] and on the 8th, the group's fan club name was announced as "Mini".[12]
Following the end of Produce 101 Japan Season 2, the group flew to South Korea to start preparing for their debut. On September 18, plans for their debut single A were announced, with its release scheduled for November. Teasers for the songs "Rocketeer" and "Brighter" were released and it was announced that the title track would be decided by fan voting.[13] On September 25, it was announced that "Rocketeer" was voted as the single's title track, and on the 26th the music videos for both singles were released.[14]
On October 18, the group's first TV show INI Station began streaming on GyaO!. The show followed the group's 3-month long training programme in South Korea and the recording of their debut single.[13][15]
On November 3, the group's debut single A was released.[16] It debuted at No. 1 on the Oricon Singles Chart and sold over 500,000 copies in its first week,[17][18] making it the fifth highest first-week sales record for a debut single of all time.[19] On the 13th and 14th, the group held their first fan meeting at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama with an audience of 24,000 fans.[16][20]
2022: I, first arena tour, and studio album Awakening
On January 7, the group's first radio show From INI was aired on Tokyo FM and JFN stations.[21] On the 15th, their TV programme INI Road ~Road to Global Expansion~ started airing on Music On! TV and finished after 4 episodes.[22] On February 28, the group filmed the continuation of the programme titled INI Road ~Road to Global Expansion~ #2.[23]
On March 13, teasers for "Call 119" and "We Are" were released. As for first single, the title track for their second single I was voted by fans, and on the 20th, "Call 119" was selected.[24] The music video was also released on the same day.[13] On April 1, the second season of the group's first TV show INI STATION was aired on GyaO!.[25] On the 20th their second single I was released and 500,000 copies were sold within two days,[26] making them the first group in Oricon history to have two consecutive singles sell over 500,000 copies in their first week.[27] On May 18, the group released the song "Yummy!!" for a collaboration with S&B Mazerudake no Spaghetti Sauce.[28]
On July 1, the group broadcast "INI First Anniversary Live" on their official YouTube channel where they announced that they plan to release their third single M and hold the group's first arena tour in four cities across Japan.[29] On August 10, the group held their first exhibition "INI museum" where all members were involved in creating exhibits. It was held at 7 hmv museum venues nationwide.[30]M was released on the 30th and became their third consecutive single to place first on the Oricon SIngles Chart.[31]
On 3 September, INI performed at the WANIMA presents 1CHANCE FESTIVAL 2022 organised by the rock band Wanima at Kumamoto Prefecture's country park. There they performed the song "Hero", which was written by Wanima.[32] It was used as the theme song of the KTV drama "Convenience Store Heroes ~Anata no SOS, Itadakishita!!~" starring member Ozaki, and the song was released for distribution on October 17.[33] On the 18th, Kimura, Tajima, Takatsuka, Fujimaki and Matsuda appeared in the TBS drama I Will Be Your Bloom where they played the role of CHAYNEY, the rival of idol group 8LOOM.[34] On the 23rd, their TV show "INI no Oshigoto desu!" began airing on Nippon TV and Hulu.[35]
On December 14, their first album Awakening was released, which included the title tracks of the singles A, I and M. Nishi and Tajima contributed to writing the lyrics of the title tracks "Spectra" and "Runaway".The album sold 241,000 copies in its first week and reached No. 1 on the Oricon Albums Chart.[36] On the 17th the group started their tour 2022 INI 1st Arena Live Tour [Break The Code] at the at Aichi Sky Expo Hall A in Aichi Prefecture. The group toured five venues in four cities across Japan: Tokyo, Tokoname, Osaka and Fukuoka. A total of 13 shows were held and 120,000 people attended, with an additional show added in Nippon Budokan on January 7 and 8, 2023.[37] Documentary videos of the live tour were sequentially released the group's official YouTube channel from March 15.[38][39]
2023: Drop That, Tag Me, and second arena tour
On January 19, the group appeared in a commercial for the retail company Aoyama Tailor [ja], with their song "New Day" used as the accompanying music. The song was available from January 30 and a performance video was released on February 6 on the official YouTube channel.[40][41]
On May 2, Takatsuka was chosen to star in the Japanese dub version of the 2018 Ukrainian animated film The Stolen Princess.[42] On July 17, INI's song "My Story" was written for the film with Takatsuka contributing to the lyrics. The film was released on September 22.[43] On May 24, their fourth single "Drop That" was released. It topped both the Oricon and Billboard Japan charts and exceeded 300,000 sales in its first week on Oricon,[44] with Billboard Japan recording 520,000 first-week sales.[45] The single's lead track is "Fanfare", with Fujimaki writing the lyrics for "Let's Escape" and Nishi contributing to the song "Drop".[46]
On June 8, they made their first appearance on Mnet's M Countdown in South Korea, performing the Korean version of "Fanfare", marking their Korean debut.[47] In July, their song "Moment" was used as the theme song for Virtual Adventure King 2023, a virtual event organised by Fuji TV and NTT QONOQ. The song was choreographed by Kimura[48] and was performed for the first time at Mezamashi Live on August 7.[49] It was released for distribution on August 14[48] and on October 20 it was used in a commercial for Aoyama Tailor's 60th anniversary starring INI.[50] On August 30 their first photo book Chrono was released.[51] It ranked first on Oricon's Weekly Book Ranking.[52]
On September 12, the group sang the OST "Busterz" for Mnet's dance survival show Street Woman Fighter 2.[53][54] On October 11, their fifth single "Tag Me" was released. It debuted at No. 1 on the Oricon Singles Charts selling 306,000 copies in its first week.[55] They then made their first appearance on SBS' Inkigayo on the 22nd, where they performed the Korean version of "Hana".[56]
On November 4, they embarked on their second arena tour 2023 INI 2nd Arena Live Tour [Ready To Pop!], which started at Ariake Arena, Tokyo, and consisted of 15 shows in seven cities across Japan. On December 21, the final show of the tour was held at Osaka-jo Hall. The tour attracted 130,000 people.[57][58] On November 27, it was announced that their second studio album Match Up would be released on February 14, 2024.[59]
On December 9 and 15, the group's special programme 1st Live INI was broadcast on TV Asahi, in which the group attempted their first self-produced live show. The programme was also streamed on Telasa, and a video following the process behind the making of the live performance was also available after the show ended.[60][61]
2024–present: Second album Match Up,TheFrame, first fan-con, and The View
On February 7, the title track "Legit" was made available for download prior to the release of their second album, with Nishi contributing to the lyrics.[62] On the 12th, the music video was released and their second album Match Up was released on the 14th. The album debuted at the No. 1 on the album charts of both Oricon and Billboard Japan. First-week sales exceeded the previous album on both charts, with Billboard Japan reporting over 300,000 copies sold.[63][64] On the 24th and 25th, they held their first solo dome concert, INI 2ND ARENA LIVE TOUR [READY TO POP!] IN KYOCERA DOME OSAKA at Kyocera Dome Osaka, attracting 35,000 people for one concert and 70,000 people over two days. This recorded a total of 200,000 attendees for the entire tour.[65]
On March 15, it was announced that their song "Whatever Happens" would be used as the opening theme for the anime Touken Ranbu Kaze -Kyoden Kennuru Honnouji-. The song was released for distribution on 3 April, the day after the first broadcast of the anime.[66][67]
On April 23, it was announced that the group's sixth single The Frame will be released on June 26 with the title track "Loud".[68] "Loud" was available for pre-release streaming on June 17 and The Frame was released digitally on June 24.[69] The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 673,000 copies in its first week, surpassing the previous first-week sales record of 581,000 copies set by their second single I.[70] It also became their first single to be certified as a million-seller by the RIAJ in their July 2024 certification list.[71]
On July 4, the group announced that they will release the track "Break of Dawn" which will act as the theme song for the movie Atashi no! starring Kimura. The movie will be released on November 8.[72] Simultaneously, dates for their Fan-Con tour [Flip The Circle] were announced, with 20 performances planned spanning over 11 cities. The tour will commence with a performance in Kanagawa on September 21, and end in Osaka on November 4.[73]
On August 28, INI was appointed as the beauty ambassador for the new beauty grooming brand Schick FIRST TOKYO, with the group planning to release the digital single "First" on September 2 to commemorate the collaboration.[74][75] On the 30th, INI announced that their seventh single The View will be released on October 30.[76]
On October 23, it was announced that the group's new TV programme INItime Music will begin airing on Nippon Television from November 11.[77]
^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.
^ ab"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.
^"【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.
^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 August 11, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^ ab"『PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON2』INI、デビューメンバー11人決定 初代センターは愛知県出身の木村柾哉" [11 debut members of "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON 2" INI have been selected. The first member to take the centre role is Masaya Kimura from Aichi Prefecture.]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. June 13, 2021. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"日プ2、元韓国練習生コンビ田島将吾＆西島蓮汰に注目集まる JO1楽曲で圧巻ステージ＜PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON2＞" [Nippu 2, former Korean trainee duo Shogo Tajima and Renta Nishijima attract attention with JO1 song and impressive stage performance <PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON 2>]. Model Press (in Japanese). April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^Kim, Won-hee (September 18, 2021). "[단독 인터뷰]INI "1년 후, 지금과 다른 우리 있을 것"" [[Exclusive Interview] INI "A year from now, we will be different"]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^ETMTC活力星锐 (January 31, 2021). "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN 2, E8期的学员许丰凡" [Produce 101 Japan 2, E8 student Xu Fengfan]. Weibo (in Chinese). Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、ファンネーム決定「可愛い」「大事にします」と反響殺到" [INI receives a flood of responses, with fan names decided on, 'cute' and 'we'll cherish it']. Model Press (in Japanese). September 8, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^ abcEditorial department (August 2022). "INI: Brighter History". Quick Japan (in Japanese). Ohta Publishing. pp. 56–57.
^"INI、デビューシングル活動曲決定 生配信で発表" [INI announces debut single activity song decision live on air.]. Model Press (in Japanese). September 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIデビューシングル1位に抱き合い涙「最高のスタートダッシュ。最高の瞬間を更新しつづけたい」" [INI embrace and cry over their debut single at No.1: 'The best start to the year. I want to keep renewing the best moments."]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、デビューシングル初登場1位「夢のよう」 50万枚超えで歴代5位" [INI, debut single, No. 1 'like a dream', over 500,000 copies, 5th on the all-time list.]. Mynavi (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. November 9, 2021. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIが初のファンミーティングでMINIと対面、オリコン1位の感謝の思い込めてパフォーマンス" [INI meets MINI at their first fan meeting and performs to thank them for the Oricon No. 1 position.]. Natalie (in Japanese). November 13, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^ ab"INI初の冠レギュラーラジオ番組「From INI」新年にスタート" [INI's first regular radio programme 'From INI' starts in the New Year.]. Natalie (in Japanese). December 20, 2021. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^ ab"INI、テレビ初レギュラー番組決定 エムオンで来年1月スタート、場面写真など解禁" [INI's first regular TV show will start next January on M-On, scene photos and other information released.]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. December 28, 2021. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、2ndシングル活動曲は「CALL 119」に決定" [INI, 2nd single activity song is 'CALL 119']. Natalie (in Japanese). March 20, 2022. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIの最新シングル「I(CALL 119/We Are)」、2日間で50万枚突破【オリコンランキング】" [INI's latest single 'I(CALL 119/We Are)' sold over 500,000 copies in two days [Oricon Ranking].]. Oricon News (in Japanese). April 21, 2022. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIコラボの「まぜスパ」パッケージ発売決定、CMソング「Yummy!!」は今晩配信リリース" [The INI collaboration 'Mazespa' package will be released and the commercial song 'Yummy! will be released for distribution tonight]. Natalie (in Japanese). May 17, 2022. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
^"INI、初のアリーナツアー＆3rdシングル決定" [INI's first arena tour and third single confirmed]. Model Press (in Japanese). July 1, 2022. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、初の展示会決定 メンバー自身が展示物を制作" [INI decides to hold its first exhibition, with the members themselves creating the exhibits]. Model Press (in Japanese). July 21, 2022. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI「M(Password)」が初週49.5万枚売り上げ初登場1位、「デビューシングルから3作連続1位」【オリコンランキング】" [INI 'M(Password)' debuts at No.1 with 495,000 copies sold in the first week, 'three consecutive No.1 singles since the debut single' [Oricon Ranking].]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. August 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI新曲「HERO」ティザー映像公開 木村柾哉「WANIMAさんのDNAがINIに混ざって…」" [INI new song 'HERO' teaser video released Masaya Kimura: "WANIMA's DNA mixed with INI..."]. Model Press (in Japanese). September 18, 2022. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIメンバー5人「君の花になる」8LOOMのライバルグループ役でドラマ初出演決定" [Five INI members will appear in a drama for the first time as a rival group to 8LOOM in 'I'll be your flower'.]. Model Press (in Japanese). September 1, 2022. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^ ab"INI、レギュラー冠番組決定 メンバーの"推し"をプレゼン＜INIの推しごとです！＞" [INI to present members' "guesses" on their regular TV programme <INI's guesses!＞]. Model Press (in Japanese). September 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、1stアルバム『Awakening』が初登場1位【オリコンランキング】" [INI's first album, Awakening, debuted at No. 1 [Oricon Ranking].]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. December 20, 2022. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、12万人動員した初のアリーナツアーが日本武道館で終幕「もっと大きな夢を叶えていきたい」" [INI's first arena tour, which drew 120,000 people, comes to an end at the Nippon Budokan: 'I want to make even bigger dreams come true']. Natalie (in Japanese). January 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、初アリーナツアー追加公演となった日本武道館公演のドキュメンタリー映像公開" [INI released a documentary film of the Nippon Budokan concert, which was an additional show on their first arena tour]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). April 10, 2023. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、初のアリーナツアーより大阪公演のドキュメンタリー映像公開" [INI release documentary footage of the Osaka show from their first arena tour]. Natalie (in Japanese). March 20, 2023. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"「洋服の青山」新CMにINIを起用 CMではスーツ姿で激しいダンスを披露" [INI featured in new Yofuku-no-Aoyama TV commercial, showing fierce dancing in a suit in the commercial.]. WWD Japan (in Japanese). January 18, 2023. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI高塚大夢が吹替版で主演、ウクライナのアニメ映画が今秋公開" [INI Hiromu Takatsuka stars in a dubbed version of a Ukrainian animated film to be released this autumn.]. Natalie (in Japanese). May 2, 2023. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"映画「ストールンプリンセス」主題歌はINIの新曲「My Story」、高塚大夢が作詞手がける" [The theme song for the film Stallion Princess is INI's new song 'My Story', with lyrics by Hiromi Takatsuka.]. Natalie (in Japanese). July 14, 2023. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、デビューから4作連続「シングル」1位 初週売上はいずれも30万枚超え【オリコンランキング】" [INI ranked No. 1 for four consecutive 'singles' since their debut, all of which sold over 300,000 copies in the first week [Oricon Ranking].]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. May 30, 2023. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIニューシングル「DROP That」西洸人と藤牧京介が作詞参加" [INI new single 'DROP That' with lyrics by Hiroto Nishi and Kyosuke Fujimaki.]. Natalie (in Japanese). April 1, 2023. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、韓国音楽番組「Mカ」初出演 西洸人の美腹筋にも注目集まる" [INI's first appearance on the Korean music programme 'M Countdown']. Model Press (in Japanese). June 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^ ab"INI、木村柾哉が振付を手がけた新曲「Moment」ダンスプラクティス動画公開" [INI release new song 'Moment' dance practice video choreographed by Masaya Kimura.]. Natalie (in Japanese). August 14, 2023. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI新曲「Moment」がバーチャル冒険王テーマソングに めざましライブで初披露へ「お楽しみに」" [INI's new song 'Moment' to be premiered as Virtual Adventure King theme song at Mezamashi Live]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. July 20, 2023. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"新CM 洋服の青山×INIパーティーフォーマルプロジェクト10月20日より「ガーデン篇」を全国放送開始" [New commercial Yofuku-no-Aoyama x INI Party Formal Project: 'Garden Arc' to be broadcast nationwide from 20 October]. PR Times (in Japanese). October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
^"INI、1st写真集がBOOKランキング1位【オリコンランキング】" [INI, 1st photo book ranked No. 1 in Book Ranking [Oricon Ranking]]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. September 8, 2023. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIが「STREET WOMAN FIGHTER2」OST参加、新曲「Busterz」がファイトテーマ曲に" [INI joins 'STREET WOMAN FIGHTER2' OST with new song 'Busterz' as theme song for the fight]. Natalie (in Japanese). September 12, 2023. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、デビューシングルから5作連続1位 5作連続初週売上30万枚超え【オリコンランキング】" [INI, No. 1 for five consecutive singles since its debut single, with five consecutive singles selling over 300,000 copies in the first week [Oricon Ranking]]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、クリスマス衣装で自身最大規模の全国アリーナツアー完走「どんどん大きな夢が叶っている」" [INI completes their biggest national arena tour in Christmas outfits: 'Bigger and bigger dreams are coming true']. Model Press (in Japanese). December 22, 2023. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、2ndアルバム『MATCH UP』発売決定 1年2ヶ月ぶりアルバムのコンセプト発表" [INI to release second album MATCH UP, first album in a year and two months, concept announced.]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、初セルフプロデュースライブ挑戦 唯一無二のステージ披露" [INI's first attempt at a self-produced live show, showcasing a one-of-a-kind stage]. Model Press (in Japanese). December 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、完全セルフプロデュースステージが今夜放送 「TELASA」では"ライブが出来るまで"の様子を公開" [INI's completely self-produced stage will be broadcast tonight, and "TELASA" will show "how the live show is made"]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. December 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^""INI" 2ND ALBUM 『MATCH UP』発売に先駆けタイトル曲「LEGIT」のデジタル配信スタート!" ["INI" Start of digital distribution of the title track "LEGIT" ahead of the release of the 2nd album "MATCH UP"!]. Fany Magazine (in Japanese). February 7, 2024. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、2ndアルバムが2作連続となる1位獲得 自己最高の初週売上【オリコンランキング】" [INI's second album reaches No. 1 for the second consecutive year, its highest first-week sales [Oricon Ranking].]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. February 20, 2024. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"アニメ「刀剣乱舞廻」本予告公開、OPテーマはINI EDテーマは12振りキャラソン" [Anime 'Sword Dance Mawaru' main trailer released, OP theme is INI ED theme is 12 character songs]. Natalie (in Japanese). March 15, 2024. Archived from the original on April 1, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INIがアニメ「刀剣乱舞廻」のオープニングテーマ担当、切なくも温かい新曲「Whatever Happens」" [INI takes charge of the opening theme for the anime 'Sword Dance Mawari', with a sad but warm new song 'Whatever Happens'.]. Natalie (in Japanese). March 15, 2024. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"結成3周年を迎える今年初のシングル発売決定！"INI"（アイエヌアイ）6TH SINGLE 『THE FRAME』2024年6月26日(水)発売決定！" [First single to be released this year on the third anniversary of the band's formation! "INI" 6TH SINGLE "THE FRAME" will be released on Wednesday 26 June 2024!]. Crea Magazine (in Japanese). April 23, 2024. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^"INI、自己最高の初週67.3万枚売り上げ、デビューシングルから6作連続1位獲得【オリコンランキング】" [INI sold 673,000 copies in the first week, its best first-week sales ever, and achieved the No. 1 position for the sixth consecutive time since their debut single]. Oricon Music (in Japanese). Oricon. July 2, 2024. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
^"『2024 INI FAN-CON TOUR [FLIP THE CIRCLE]』の開催が決定！" ["2024 INI FAN-CON TOUR [FLIP THE CIRCLE]" has been confirmed!]. INI Official site (in Japanese). July 4, 2024. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
^"新ビューティーグルーミングブランド『Schick FIRST TOKYO』ビューティーアンバサダーに就任決定＆最新曲「FIRST」を起用したTV-CMが9月11日放送開始！" [Appointed as a beauty ambassador for the new beauty grooming brand “Schick FIRST TOKYO” & TV commercial featuring the latest song “FIRST” will start airing on September 11!]. INI Official site (in Japanese). August 28, 2024. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
^"7TH SINGLE『THE VIEW』2024年10月30日（水）発売決定&予約開始！" [7th single "THE VIEW" to be released on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 & pre-orders now open!]. INI Official site (in Japanese). August 30, 2024. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
^月間 アルバムランキング 2024年02月度 [Oricon Monthly Album Ranking – February 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
^月間 シングルランキング 2021年11月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking – November 2021] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
月間 シングルランキング 2022年08月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking – August 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
月間 シングルランキング 2022年09月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking – September 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
月間 シングルランキング 2023年10月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking – October 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
月間 シングルランキング 2023年11月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking – November 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
オリコン月間 シングルランキング 2024年07月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking July 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
月間 シングルランキング 2024年09月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Ranking September 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^Lee, Ha-na (April 10, 2024). "대상 주인은 스트레이 키즈, TXT 4관왕→트레저·더보이즈 3관왕(종합][ASEA 2024]" [Grand Prize winner is Stray Kids, TXT 4 wins → Treasure and The Boyz 3 wins (Overall)[ASEA 2024]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
^"MTV「VMAJ」大賞はセカオワ！JO1、INI、BE:FIRST、スカパラ、櫻坂46ら11組パフォーマンス" [MTV 'VMAJ' grand prize went to Sekai no Owari, with performances by 11 groups including JO1, INI, BE:FIRST, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and Sakurazaka 46]. Natalie (in Japanese). November 3, 2022. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
