{{Short description|Debut single by Japanese boy band Naniwa Danshi}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox song | name = Ubu Love | cover = Ubulove.jpg | caption = Regular edition | type = single | artist = Naniwa Danshi | album = 1st Love | released = November 12, 2021 | A-side = Ubu Love | B-side = {{hlist|"Naniwa'n Way"|"Yume Watashi"|"Starting Bell"|"What a funky time!!"|"Kimi Dake o Nigasanai"|"Bokura no I Love You"}} | length = 3:47 | writer = Satoru Kurihara, Shingo Kubota | producer = Tadayoshi Okura | genre = J-pop | label = J Storm | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = The Answer / Sachiare | next_year = 2022 | misc ={{External music video|{{YouTube|e955oEATDBo|"Ubu Love"}}<br>{{YouTube|sHk8a3flepE|"Naniwa'n Way"}} }} }} "'''Ubu Love'''" (初心LOVE, Uburabu) is the debut single by Japanese boy band Naniwa Danshi. It was released on November 12, 2021, by J Storm.
The title track was used as one of the theme songs for the TV Asahi drama ''My Love Mix-Up!'', co-starring member Shunsuke Michieda and Ren Meguro of Snow Man.
== Background and release ==
Naniwa Danshi announced their CD debut on July 28, 2021, during a concert held at Yokohama Arena, a date informally known as "Naniwa Day" (なにわの日) in Japan, based on Japanese wordplay in which the numbers 7 (na), 2 (ni), and 8 (wa) form "Naniwa".<ref>{{cite web |title=なにわ男子１１・１２ＣＤデビュー！メンバー号泣…横浜アリーナ公演でサプライズ発表（1/2ページ） |url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20210729-KZONUTNZA5KPLF4HUY2IMNLIAY/ |website=sanspo |access-date=2026-03-22 |language=ja |date=2021-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=関西ジャニーズJr.「なにわ男子」が11月12日に悲願のCDデビュー決定!なにわの日公演でサプライズ発表|newspaper=中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ|date=2021-07-28|url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/299540|accessdate=2021-10-19}}</ref> The debut single, titled "Ubu Love" (初心LOVE), was officially revealed on September 17, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/445578|title=なにわ男子のデビューシングルは「初心LOVE」と書いて“うぶらぶ”、12月25日に生配信イベント|date=2021-09-17|website=natalie|accessdate=2026-03-22}}</ref> The single was released on November 12, 2021, by J Storm.
"Ubu Love" served as one of the theme songs for the TV Asahi drama ''My Love Mix-Up!'', starring member Shunsuke Michieda alongside Ren Meguro of Snow Man. The song was used as a double theme song together with Snow Man's "Secret Touch".<ref>{{cite web |title=ドラマ「消えた初恋」Snow Manとなにわ男子のW主題歌、雰囲気の異なるラブソング |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/446225 |website=natalie |access-date=2026-03-22 |language=ja |date=2021-09-22}}</ref>
The single was released in multiple editions, including two limited editions (CD+DVD/Blu-ray), a regular edition, and several retailer-exclusive versions, each featuring different cover artwork and bonus content.<ref>{{cite web |title=初心LOVE |url=https://www.storm-labels.co.jp/s/js/discography/JACA-5941 |website=Storm Labels |access-date=2026-03-22 |language=ja}}</ref> The regular edition includes "Yume Watashi", a song originally performed during the group's Kansai Johnny's Jr. era, which was also used as the theme song for the 2021 ABC Summer High School Baseball broadcast and ''Nettō Kōshien''.<ref>{{cite web |title=なにわ男子「夢わたし」 高校野球応援ソングに！「より一層思いがこもった大会」 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2021/06/04/kiji/20210603s00041000299000c.html |website=Sponichi |access-date=2026-03-22 |language=ja |date=2021-06-04}}</ref>
The music video for "Ubu Love", directed by Mai Sakai, was released on October 19, 2021. It depicts the members working at a gas station and falling in love at first sight, expressing youthful romance through dance performance.<ref>{{cite web |title=なにわ男子「初心LOVE」MV公開、ガソリンスタンドのスタッフに扮して真心込めたサービス |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/449973 |website=natalie |access-date=2026-03-22 |language=ja |date=2021-10-19}}</ref> Promotional campaigns for the song included user-participation dance challenges on YouTube Shorts and TikTok.<ref>{{cite web |title=なにわ男子「初心LOVE」×「消えた初恋」のTikTokコラボ企画スタート |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/450059 |website=natalie |access-date=2026-03-22 |language=ja |date=2021-10-20}}</ref> The song gained significant traction on TikTok, surpassing 500 million total views within 37 days, setting a record among domestic artists.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2216235/full/ | title = なにわ男子「初心LOVE」がTikTok国内アーティスト最速5億再生突破| date = 2021-12-03| website = oricon| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
To commemorate the release, an online live streaming event for CD purchasers was held on December 25, 2021. The song later won the Best Drama Song award at the 110th Television Drama Academy Awards.<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://thetv.jp/news/detail/1073176/| title = ＜ドラマアカデミー賞＞なにわ男子「初心LOVE」がドラマソング賞 道枝駿佑『僕たちの代表曲の一曲になった』| date = 2022-02-25| website = thetv| publisher = Kadokawa| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref> It was also performed at the 73rd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2262849/full/| title = 【紅白】初出場・なにわ男子、カラフルなステージ披露 大泉洋の”遅刻いじり”に苦笑い | date = 2022-12-31| website = oricon| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
In December 2023, the music video surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, marking a major milestone for the group. In February 2026, the song exceeded 100 million cumulative streams on Oricon, becoming the group's first work to reach this milestone.<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4124236| title = なにわ男子、デビュー777日目で「初心LOVE」1億回再生突破の快挙 祝福殺到でトレンド1位| date = 2023-12-29| website = modelpress| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
== Commercial performance ==
"Ubu Love" debuted at number one on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart dated November 22, 2021, selling 706,000 copies in its first week. It became the best-selling debut single of the year in Japan.<ref name=o1>{{Cite web| url = https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2213999/full/ | title = なにわ男子「初心LOVE(うぶらぶ)」初週売上70.6万枚で1位【オリコンランキング/本人コメント到着】| date = 2021-11-16| website = oricon| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
On Billboard Japan, the single sold 632,655 copies in its first week and topped both the Top Singles Sales chart and the Japan Hot 100. It remained at number one on the Japan Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks, outperforming competing releases including "Mirai e/ReBorn" by NEWS.<ref name=b1>{{Cite web| url = https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/105927/2 | title = 【ビルボード】なにわ男子『初心LOVE』初週63.2万枚でシングル・セールス首位、今年度5番目の最多初週売上| date = 2021-11-15| website = Billboard JAPAN| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
The single also achieved strong performance across multiple platforms, including topping the Oricon monthly singles chart for November 2021 and ranking third on the Oricon Year-end Singles Chart of 2021. On Billboard Japan, it ranked sixth on the year-end Top Singles Sales chart.<ref name=o2>{{Cite web| url = https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2220262/full/ | title = 【オリコン年間】Adoが年間セールス新人1位 ソロでは17年ぶりの快挙、続くはENHYPEN、なにわ男子| date = 2022-01-07| website =oricon| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref><ref name=b2>{{Cite web| url = https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/107572/2 | title = 【ビルボード】なにわ男子『初心LOVE』8週ぶりにシングル・セールス首位| date = 2022-01-10| website = Billboard JAPAN| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
In January 2022, the single returned to number one on both the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales chart.<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2220659/full/ | title = なにわ男子、デビューシングル「初心LOVE(うぶらぶ)」が2ヵ月ぶりの1位返り咲き【オリコンランキング】| date = 2022-01-11| website = oricon | accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
In February 2026, "Ubu Love" surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on the Oricon streaming chart, becoming Naniwa Danshi's first song to reach this milestone.<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2438391/full/| title = なにわ男子、「初心LOVE(うぶらぶ)」が自身初の累積再生数1億回突破【オリコンランキング】| date = 2026-02-25| website = oricon| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref>
== Charts ==
=== Weekly charts === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! Chart (2021) ! Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Japan (Oricon Singles Chart)<ref name=o1/> | align="center"|1 |- ! scope="row"| Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100)<ref>{{Cite web| url = https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/106008/2 | title = 【ビルボード】なにわ男子「初心LOVE」632,655枚を売り上げ総合首位 優里「ベテルギウス」ストリーミング1位で総合4位上昇| date = 2021-11-17| website = Billboard JAPAN| publisher = 阪神コンテンツリンク| accessdate = 2026-03-22}}</ref> | align="center"|1 |- ! scope="row"| Japan (Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales)<ref name=b1/> | align="center"|1 |}
=== Year-end charts === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! Chart (2021) ! Position |- ! scope="row"| Japan (Oricon Singles Chart)<ref name=o2/> | align="center"|3 |- ! scope="row"| Japan (Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=sales_year&year=2021 |title=Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales 2021年度 |publisher=Billboard JAPAN |accessdate=2026-03-22}}</ref> |align="center"|6 |}
== Certifications == {| class="wikitable" ! Region ! Certification ! Sales |- | Japan (RIAJ) | 3× Platinum | 750,000+<ref>{{cite web |title=2021年11月度GD認定、なにわ男子「初心LOVE（うぶらぶ）」がトリプル・プラチナ INI・AKB48・櫻坂46がダブル・プラチナ |url=https://www.musicman.co.jp/chart/444116 |website=musicman |access-date=2026-03-22 |language=ja |date=2021-12-10}}</ref> |}
== Track listing ==
=== Limited edition 1 === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! No. ! Title ! Length |- ! 1 | "Ubu Love" | 3:47 |- ! 2 | "Naniwa'n Way" | 4:06 |- ! 3 | "What a funky time!!" | 3:58 |- ! 4 | "Ubu Love" (instrumental) | 3:47 |- ! 5 | "Naniwa'n Way" (instrumental) | 4:06 |- ! 6 | "What a funky time!!" (instrumental) | 3:55 |}
=== Limited edition 2 === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! No. ! Title ! Length |- ! 1 | "Ubu Love" | 3:47 |- ! 2 | "Naniwa'n Way" | 4:06 |- ! 3 | "Kimi Dake o Nigasanai" | 4:01 |- ! 4 | "Ubu Love" (instrumental) | 3:47 |- ! 5 | "Naniwa'n Way" (instrumental) | 4:06 |- ! 6 | "Kimi Dake o Nigasanai" (instrumental) | 3:59 |}
=== Regular edition === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! No. ! Title ! Length |- ! 1 | "Ubu Love" | 3:47 |- ! 2 | "Naniwa'n Way" | 4:07 |- ! 3 | "Yume Watashi" | 4:57 |- ! 4 | "Starting Bell" | 4:10 |}
=== Johnnys' ISLAND STORE online edition === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! No. ! Title ! Length |- ! 1 | "Ubu Love" | 3:47 |- ! 2 | "Naniwa'n Way" | 4:06 |- ! 3 | "Bokura no I Love You" | 4:29 |}
=== Loppi / HMV limited edition === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! No. ! Title ! Length |- ! 1 | "Ubu Love" | 3:49 |- ! 2 | "Ubu Love" (instrumental) | 3:45 |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.storm-labels.co.jp/s/js/discography/JACA-5941 "Ubu Love"] – Storm Labels official page * {{YouTube|e955oEATDBo|"Ubu Love" (Official Music Video)}} * {{YouTube|e955oEATDBo|"Ubu Love" Debut Special Performance at Tokyo International Airport}} * {{YouTube|qNrRnnG8glY|"Ubu Love" Naniwa Danshi Debut Tour 2022 1st Love}} * {{YouTube|qNrRnnG8glY|"Ubu Love" Music Video Dance ver.}} * {{YouTube|AXlXB5Qzu5M|"Ubu Love" (Music Video Making Digest)}} * {{YouTube|WtSYi5CktOg|"Ubu Love" (Loppi / HMV limited edition bonus video digest)}}
{{Naniwa Danshi}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2021 debut singles Category:2021 songs Category:Naniwa Danshi songs Category:Oricon Weekly number-one singles Category:Billboard Japan Hot 100 number-one singles Category:Songs in Japanese