ONE OR EIGHT Turn a Symbol of Japanese Youth Culture Into Their Boldest Anthem Yet With "YANKEE SQUAT"

Some songs are built around a catchy hook. Others are inspired by a trend. ONE OR EIGHT's newest single, "YANKEE SQUAT," takes inspiration from something far more unexpected. A simple sitting pose that has long been associated with Japan's rebellious youth culture becomes the centerpiece of one of the group's most confident and entertaining releases to date. Rather than treating the "Asian Squat" as a novelty, the eight-member group transforms it into a celebration of individuality, friendship, and the freedom to unapologetically be yourself.

Since debuting August 16, 2024, ONE OR EIGHT has steadily established themselves as one of Japan's fastest-rising global acts. Consisting of MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA, and YUGA, the group's name comes from the Japanese idiom ichi ka bachi ka, meaning "all or nothing." That fearless mentality has become the foundation of everything they do. Their debut single "Don't Tell Nobody," produced by Ryan Tedder and David Stewart, immediately introduced an international sound, while later releases such as "KAWASAKI" featuring Big Sean and the viral hit "TOKYO DRIFT" helped expand their audience well beyond Japan. Along the way, they became the first Japanese boy group to walk the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards, earned recognition from MTV VMAJ, and completed their first international tour across North and South America.

That same fearless spirit runs throughout "YANKEE SQUAT." Musically, the song blends Latin-inspired rhythms with hip-hop production, infectious chants, and an undeniable swagger that feels tailor-made for summer. The production never slows down, constantly pushing forward with energetic percussion, confident rap verses, and a chorus that feels destined to become a crowd participation moment during live performances. It is loud, playful, and completely committed to its identity, embracing street culture without trying to soften or commercialize it. The cultural meaning behind its title, "YANKEE SQUAT" has long been associated with Japan's yankii culture, a youth subculture known for its rebellious fashion, modified school uniforms, pompadour hairstyles, and refusal to conform. Often seen outside convenience stores, neighborhood hangouts, or late-night gathering spots, the pose has become an instantly recognizable symbol of that era. Rather than viewing it as something outdated or embarrassing, ONE OR EIGHT reframes it as a symbol of confidence, authenticity, and taking pride in where you come from. It is a clever reminder that even everyday pieces of culture can become something worth celebrating when viewed through a different lens.

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The accompanying music video leans fully into that concept while adding plenty of humor. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pennacky, whose previous work includes videos for Aimyon, Gen Hoshino, OKAMOTO'S, and V6, the visual imagines a team of international researchers studying the yankee squat as though it were an important anthropological discovery. Throughout airports, shopping districts, and city streets, the members casually drop into the iconic pose while the fictional researchers scramble to document what they are witnessing. The tongue-in-cheek concept keeps the video entertaining from beginning to end while naturally introducing international viewers to a uniquely Japanese piece of youth culture. One of the video's funniest details is its reference to the physical difficulty of performing the squat itself. According to statistics shared alongside the release, only 13.5 percent of Americans are reportedly able to comfortably hold the position, with an even smaller percentage among Asian Americans. Whether viewers decide to test the claim themselves or simply enjoy the joke, it reinforces the playful personality that runs throughout the entire project.

The choreography deserves just as much attention as the music itself. Instead of simply creating another performance piece, ONE OR EIGHT builds the dance around movements inspired directly by yankee culture, incorporating the signature squat, exaggerated gestures, and references to traditional bontan pants and classic regent hairstyles. The result feels uniquely Japanese while still maintaining the polished precision and charisma that fans have come to expect from the group. Member RYOTA described the single as one of the group's biggest creative challenges, explaining that "YANKEE SQUAT" captures exactly who ONE OR EIGHT is as a team. He also encouraged fans to pay close attention to the cultural references woven throughout both the choreography and styling, while highlighting the energetic chants that make the chorus especially memorable. His excitement comes across naturally in the final product, as the song feels designed to create the kind of shared experience that audiences immediately want to join.

Director Pennacky echoed those sentiments, explaining that he initially viewed the idea as humorous before realizing just how much the members' personalities aligned with the mindset behind yankee culture. Rather than simply making fun of the concept, he found a way to reinterpret it through ONE OR EIGHT's identity, creating something that respects its origins while making it feel fresh for a new generation of listeners. Beyond the single itself, the release marks the beginning of an especially busy period for the group. "YANKEE SQUAT" made its live debut during the finale of ONE OR EIGHT 1st LIVE TOUR -GATHER- at Tokyo's Zepp Haneda, where fans also received an early preview of songs from the group's upcoming debut EP, EN-GÏNE, arriving on September 16. The performance was streamed globally free of charge, allowing fans around the world to experience the milestone together regardless of where they live.

The rollout extends far beyond music. Alongside the single, ONE OR EIGHT launched Konbini108, an interactive online experience where fans create their own Japanese convenience store order using items inspired by each member's favorite snacks and meals. Once completed, participants receive a personalized digital receipt revealing which member their choices most closely match. The group also released a limited merchandise collection inspired by the visual aesthetic of "YANKEE SQUAT," complete with exclusive fan benefits for qualifying purchases, further expanding the world surrounding the release. While the concept may initially sound unconventional, "YANKEE SQUAT" succeeds because it never feels like a gimmick. Instead, ONE OR EIGHT takes a distinctly Japanese cultural symbol and builds an entire creative experience around it, combining infectious music, memorable choreography, playful storytelling, and genuine cultural pride into one cohesive package. It is exactly the kind of release that feels true to the group's "all or nothing" philosophy.

As ONE OR EIGHT continues building momentum internationally ahead of the release of EN-GÏNE, "YANKEE SQUAT" stands as another reminder that some of the most memorable songs come from embracing what makes you different. By turning an everyday pose into a global conversation, the group once again proves they are at their best when they lean fully into their identity, and invite the rest of the world to join them.