PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SHINSEKAI, the fourth season of the audition survival present that introduced us the artists JO1, INI and ME:I, has been accessible for viewing, freed from cost, since March 2026, completely on the Lemino streaming service. It can culminate within the debut of a 12-person world boy band with members chosen by voting by Japanese viewers (Kokumin Producers) and, for the primary time on the present, world viewers (SEKAI Producers) as nicely.
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One of many greatest variations between this season and the previous three seasons is that that is now a world audition. The present accepted purposes from everybody, no matter nationality or birthplace (excluding a small variety of areas). Along with attracting trainees from around the globe, additionally it is being streamed globally by way of the worldwide Okay-pop content material platform Mnet Plus, and votes can be solid from anyplace. The present’s general emcee, trainee supporter, and KOKUMIN Producer consultant is Dean Fujioka. This season, he’s joined for the primary time by a SEKAI Producer Consultant, Choi Soo-young (from Lady’s Technology). The votes of KOKUMIN Producers from Japan and SEKAI Producers from different nations are counted collectively to launch a boy band that displays a extra worldwide perspective. There are already plans for the band to make its debut concurrently in each Korea and Japan.
In every of its previous seasons, PRODUCE 101 JAPAN has had 101 trainees. Of those, 11 would go on to grow to be debut members. Throughout the first episode of this new season, although, the present introduced that 22 world contributors have been added, mentioning the variety of contributors to 123. Of those, 12 can be chosen to debut. In an sudden twist, in contrast to in previous seasons, the contributors didn’t begin as trainees, however as trainee candidates. They discovered themselves all of a sudden confronted with a stage placement take a look at, so there was battle and drama proper out of the gates.
This season has already introduced us a number of standout scenes. Episode 6 introduced the primary half of “POSITION BATTLE: OPEN ROUND.” After the primary spherical of rankings have been introduced, the 50 remaining trainees have been divided into 9 groups to compete within the occasion. In earlier rounds, trainees have been capable of decide their very own fields of experience, like vocals, dance, or rap. However as Dean Fujioka defined, “In the present day, the borders between vocals, dance, and rap are gone. We’re in an age of all-rounders, the place folks aren’t hemmed in by the concept of mounted positions.” This time, the battle used an OPEN ROUND method. It judged the trainees’ capacity to deal with self-production, together with music association and construction. It was a vivid instance of how the updates the present had made to its judging method with a purpose to produce a world boy band for at this time’s period.
The 9 groups competed, every with their very own music, and the 2 high trainees and the highest trainee for every of the 9 songs within the group battle have been chosen as leaders. One significantly dramatic scene unfolded for the staff PUNCH LINERS, whose chief, RYUJI (Ryuji Sugiyama), picked INI’s music “DOMINANCE.” O.YUSEI (Yusei Obayashi), who was chosen as the principle rapper, was psyched, saying “I’ve hardly ever taken heart stage in my very own life, so I’m going to go for it.” After listening to the recommendation of INI members Rihito Ikezaki, Hiroto Nishi, and Jin Matsuda, he seemed fulfilled, however after listening to Y.SHU (Shu Yamashita) rap, he requested for the principle rapper place to be switched out, saying “I feel he’d be higher as a essential rapper then me.” His staff members inspired him, saying “You bought the middle place, now you’ll want to go on the market and crush it.” O.YUSEI, feeling disgusted with himself, started crying, saying “It was simply so irritating…” His reference to fellow rapper Y.SHU grew even stronger, after which in the principle occasion, he boldly took the stage, placing on a assured efficiency as essential rapper, turning the tables by being chosen as no. 1 in his staff by the sphere voting. Y.SHU got here in second place, and it was clear to everybody watching how the bonds between them had grown.
Episode 7 featured the second half of the “POSITION BATTLE: OPEN ROUND” and the announcement of the outcomes. “Nature Self” was chosen by subject voting because the staff that stood out probably the most. Nature Self was led by CHISATO (Chisato Kobayashi), who selected the music “Pure” by Think about Dragons.
Throughout the first a part of the apply, RYOTA (Ryota Ishida) and CHISATO divided up the choreography duties, however dance coach KAITA stated he felt there was an absence of teamwork. “Did you two coordinate with one another? I might inform that the choreography was by two separate folks. It felt disjointed.” Everybody gathered collectively, and RYOTA and the opposite members talked about one another’s strengths. They reaffirmed the significance of teamwork and developed a extra highly effective sense of solidarity. Elsewhere, YURA (Yura Abe), who had been chosen by unanimous accord as essential dancer, seemed crestfallen, saying “I simply couldn’t get enthusiastic about being chosen for heart place.” He couldn’t shake off his defeat within the earlier group battle. “Being within the heart place means being beneath an enormous quantity of stress. Even now, I’ve obtained combined feelings about it.” CHISATO tried to gave him a push, saying “I would like you to go on the market and put all of your coronary heart into it. I made your choreography with that in thoughts,” however YURA’s expression remained clouded. SIYOUNG (Park Siyoung), a member of one other staff, criticized him, saying “We couldn’t see your facial expressions,” and that simply despatched YURA spiraling additional. Dance coach Rino Nakasone stated “You don’t appear to be a middle. That you must be extra trustworthy with your self. Give it your all.” Tears in his eyes, YURA confessed that “Ever since turning into heart, I’ve simply stored questioning myself.” Nakasone continued, “The music ’Pure’ is all about not bowing beneath stress. Don’t preserve all of it pent up inside, you’ve obtained all these folks round you’ll be able to flip to.” After telling him that he wanted to embody the message of the music, and advising him to depend on his fellow trainees, the opposite members all embraced him in a hug. The scene eloquently confirmed that it’s not nearly singing and dancing skills. You additionally want to really perceive the music at a deeper stage.
In the principle occasion, the entire staff placed on a strong and sumptuous present. It was like they’d all damaged out of their shells, and their efficiency of “Nature Self” was met with an enormous spherical of applause. The choice to select them because the standout staff was a transparent and apparent one. KOTARO (Kotaro Asaka) was chosen no. 1 within the staff, with YURA taking the no. 3 place. KOTARO revealed that he’d felt nice respect for YURA ever because the first time he went to Korea, and he thanked him. YURA additionally gave a glimpse of his personal private progress, saying that the expertise had given him confidence.
PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SHINSEKAI is the form of present that provides start to nice scenes like these. One of many highlights of this audition present is that it doesn’t simply include rating rivals by voting, nevertheless it additionally helps the trainees develop. Tomorrow, your personal vote might be instrumental within the dramatic private progress of trainees.
–This text by Kaori Komatsu first appeared on Billboard Japan
