On February 13, 2023, Nogizaka46 announced their thirty-second single via their variety showNogizaka Under Construction, would be released on March 22.[1] Five days later, the groupsurprise-released the last first-generation memberManatsu Akimoto's graduation song "Bokutachi no Sayonara", sung by all members including Akimoto as the lead singer. The song will later be included in the upcoming single.[2] On February 18, Ayane Suzuki, the last second-generation, announcedgraduation (leaving) from the group via her official blog, stated that she would not participate in any 32nd single activity.[3]
Thesenbatsu members were announced on February 20 through their variety show, consisting of 20 members, of which 11 members arefukujin. Third-generation membersMizuki Yamashita and Shiori Kubo would serve as the center position of the single; the second time for Yamashita since the 26th single "Boku wa Boku o Suki ni Naru", and the first time for Kubo.[4] The fourth-generation Rika Satō and Miyu Matsuo, and the fifth-generation Mao Ioki, Miku Ichinose, Nagi Inoue, Sakura Kawasaki, and Satsuki Sugawara were also included to thesenbatsu members for the first time.[5]
The group's annual concert 11th Year Birthday Live was held between February 22 to 25, 2023. On the second day, the fifth-generation members revealed and performed their new song "Kokoro ni mo Nai Koto".[6] On February 28, the group delayed by a week, on March 28, due to production problems.[7] The title "Hito wa Yume o Nido Miru" was announced on March 6,[8] and theB-sides the next day.[9] On March 9, the full song was played for the first time on the radio showNogizaka46 no All Night Nippon.[10] Five cover artworks for each edition also revealed on the same day. Photographed by Hiroshi Manaka and art directed by Koji Wagatsuma, they show the members with various objects wrapped in colorful cloth in an art warehouse, representing Nogizaka46's unseen and new appearance that will be shown in the future.[11]
An official music video for "Hito wa Yume o Nido Miru" premiered on March 22, 2023. It was shot from late February to March atMOA Museum of Art,Shinjuku Golden Gai, and a studio in Tokyo, and directed byTakeshi Maruyama.[12] The music video depicts the theme of "people who have lost their dreams meet someone and become friends so that they can have hope and enjoyment in the future."[13]
A music video for "Sazanami wa Modoranai", served the center position by Ririka Itō and Runa Hayashi, was released on March 12, 2023. Yoshiharu Seri directed the music video, showing the members' relationship with the concept of a circle.[14] "Kokoro ni mo Nai Koto" music video came on March 17. Teresa Ikeda served as the center position. Directed byAtsunori Tōshi, it depicts a fusion of everyday life and art, such asJean Prouvé andIsamu Noguchi's work.[15]
"Hito wa Yume o Nido Miru" debuted at number one on theOricon Singles Chart dated April 10, 2023, becoming Nogizaka46's 31st consecutive number-one single since "Oide Shampoo" (2012), and the second most number-one single by a female artist, behindAKB48. The single sold 516,884 CD copies in its first week, marking it the biggest sales week by a female act in 2023, and the first female artist to sell over 500,000 in a single week in the year.[16] The single also debuted atop the Oricon Combined Singles Chart. It marked Nogizaka46 most number one on the chart with ten singles, alongsideKing & Prince.[17]
ForBillboard Japan, "Hito wa Yume o Nido Miru" initially debuted at number 56 on theJapan Hot 100 dated April 5, 2023[18] with 6,082 downloads,[19] before ascended to number two next week, behind onlyTreasure's "Here I Stand".[20] The CD single sold 609,458 physical copies on the first day,[21] and totally 663,277 copies in its first week.[22]Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified triple platinum for physical release on April 10.[23]
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