For the past five years, I’ve watched Naniwa Danshi color the world of J-pop with sparkles and happiness. They’re bright. They’re beautiful. They’re undeniably boyish.

Well… at least, they were.

Almost from day one, Naniwa Danshi has been intent on building themselves not just as glittering idols, but as serious artists. Refusing to be boxed into one sound, they’ve embraced evolution—allowing both themselves, and their fans, to grow together.

The first release from their fourth double A-side single (9th over all), ｢Black Nightmare｣, was a sensual fever dream of  sound and sex appeal. Their second release, ｢アシンメトリー｣ (English: ｢Asymmetry｣), takes that allure a step further, this time wrapping it in a delicious air of mystery.

As the theme song for the TV Asahi drama Revenge Spy (starring group member Kazuya Ohashi), you might expect it to echo the vibe of their earlier single ｢Missing｣—one of the themes for Knockin’ on Locked Door with group member Daigo Nishihata. And it does… but it also brings so much more.

The choreography is razor-sharp, the vocals are stellar (Hassun’s deeper register is perfect), and the editing is top-tier. 

I’ve adored everything Naniwa Danshi has done—from their truly outrageous rainbow brite sparkle to those cutesy little Punky Brewster “can-do” anthems. They’re all fantastic.

But this new era—less color, more cool—is pure fire. Their evolution is giving me life – and in the worlds of Paris Hilton “That’s Hot!”