On March 1, 2023, Hinatazaka46 announced on a YouTube live broadcast that their ninth single would be released on April 19.[4] The title, "One Choice", was announced on March 15 in a teaser video,[5] and the full-length music video was released on March 27. Akari Nibu served as center (lead performer) for the first time in a title song.[6] The song was first performed live at the fourth Hinatansai anniversary concert in Yokohama Stadium on April 1–2, 2023.[7]
The plot of the music video, described by Oricon as "comical", references Nibu's interest in multiplayer gaming, and several costumes worn in previous music videos are featured.[8][6] Yūka Kageyama, for whom the single would be her last one with the group, was assigned to the front row of the choreography for the first time in a title song.[9]
The single was released in five versions: Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Type-D, and a regular edition.[3] The bonus Blu-ray of Type-A and Type-B contain parts of the "Happy Smile Tour 2022" concert at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium on November 12–13, 2022,[3][10] while those of Type-C and Type-D contain parts of the fourth generation members' introduction concert, or "hospitality party", on February 11–12, 2023, as well as behind-the-scene footages from the concert.[3][11]
The music video for "Koi wa Nigeashi ga Hayai",[a] performed by the first to third generation members, features several scenes of members in the present composited with footage of them from the early days of the group, then known as Hiragana Keyakizaka46. The dance scenes were also filmed at Yokohama Stadium.[12][13]
Each generation of members also performs one B-side song. "Ai wa Kocchi no Mono da"[b] was performed by the first generation members.[14] "You're in My Way" (stylized in sentence case) was performed by the second generation members.[14] "Pakuchi Pīman Green Peas"[c] was performed by the third generation members.[14]
"Coelacanth"[d] was performed by the fourth generation members. The group's three youngest members at the time were assigned to the front row, with Yōko Shōgenji as the center.[14] The lyrics compare the re-emerging attraction after encountering a past love interest with the rediscovery of the titular ancient fish.[15]
"Tomo Yo, Ichibanboshi da"[e] was also performed by the first to third generation members with Yūka Kageyama as the center.[14] The music video was primarily recorded at the Kashima Soccer Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture and is themed around Kageyama's specialty of soccer, with lyrics about friends bidding farewell to each other as they set out to pursue different goals.[16]
Reception
"One Choice" sold 473 thousand copies in its first week according to Oricon (538 thousand copies according to Billboard Japan[17]) and placed first on that week's Oricon Singles Chart, continuing the group's streak of topping the chart since its first single, "Kyun".[6]
Real Sound comments that "One Choice" is a modern pop song with a "poignant yet cheerful" melody which makes full use of live instruments, with lyrics that encourages one to "find their own desire" in a society with vast amounts of information and intermingling different values. It also positively comments on "Koi wa Nigeashi ga Hayai" with its upbeat composition reminiscent of house music.[18]
^Akari Nibu Official blog (March 20, 2023). "~One choice~". Hinatazaka46 Official site (in Japanese). Seed & Flower LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
^ abcdefgh"日向坂46 9th Single「One choice」". Hinatazaka46 9th Single「One choice」Special Site (in Japanese). Hinatazaka46 Official Site. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
