OWV Won’t Stop! Pioneers Carving Their Own Path with Pride, Strong Unity, and a Passion for Comedy Until the Day of ‘Victory’…

OWV Striking a Pose (from left) Katsunari Nakagawa, Kosuke Honda, Fumiya Sano, Shuta Urano

By Takuma Maeda

OWV will release their 10th single “Frontier” on October 23rd. True to its name, the group, consisting of former trainees from the audition program “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN,” has been pioneering new frontiers.

The new song was written and composed by Da-iCE’s Taiki Kudo, whom leader Kosuke Honda affectionately calls “Aniki” (big brother). Kudo explained, “I created a type of song that OWV has never had before,” reflecting the group’s journey through various adversities, including the pandemic.

The group debuted on April 11, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The members participated in the 2019 audition program “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN.” While the top 11 contestants debuted as JO1, OWV’s members ranked as follows: Honda at 15th, Fumiya Sano at 21st, Shuta Urano at 32nd, and Katsunari Nakagawa at 63rd.

Initially, they were expected to go their separate ways after the program ended, but it was Honda’s passion that brought the group together. He personally recruited the members, persistently contacting Sano, who was unsure of his future, almost daily. While working part-time at a call center, Honda visited their agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo, every day to negotiate their debut.

Responding to Honda’s enthusiasm, OWV was formed, embarking on a new challenge of pursuing both music and comedy. Without this self-driven passion, other groups of former trainees, such as OCTPATH and DXTEEN, might not have been born.

OWV’s 10th single “Frontier” to be released on October 23

OWV’s charm lies in the individuality of its four members. Sano is known for his athleticism, winning the marathon segment of TV show “All-Star Thanksgiving 2024 Spring.” In the acting field, Nakagawa has expanded his activities in film, while Urano shines on stage. Leader Honda guides the team with his strong leadership and dance skills, participating in events with his extensive knowledge of anime and manga.

Moreover, what sets them apart from other idol groups is their passion for comedy. Leveraging their affiliation with Yoshimoto Kogyo, a talent agency known for its comedians, they actively collaborate with comedians.

They served as official supporters for the “UNDER5 AWARD 2024,” a competition for comedians with five years or less of experience, and their song “Luminous” was chosen as the theme song for the event.

By honing various skills, OWV has steadily expanded their musical range. “Luminous” carries a message that illuminates the dreams of its listeners with a tempo that adds an emotional touch to the supportive lyrics. The six songs included in “Frontier” are expected to further showcase their cutting-edge expressions, evolving from past frustrations to present growth, offering their fans, known as QWV, a glimpse into new worlds.

While other groups of former trainees have seen member departures, OWV has entered their fifth year with all four members intact. Despite a challenging start during the pandemic, their solid teamwork today is a result of carefully discussing and solidifying their direction as a group. The meaning of OWV is “Our only Way to get Victory.” They will continue to walk a path that no one else can replicate.