Active not only in Japan but also globally, pro dancer 1ch is currently making his mark on the stage of D.LEAGUE. Transcending genres such as KRUMP, POPPIN, and HIP HOP, he continues to pursue his own unique style—simply known as “1ch,” free from any boundaries. For him, both dance and fashion serve as platforms to express his true self without concealment. He constantly channels his instincts and raw emotion, describing fashion as a “silent introduction” of who he is, and also as a reflection of his determination.

In this project, 1ch—who stands out with both undeniable skill and a distinct fashion sense—collaborates in a visual piece with Timberland, a brand that has become a street style icon. Known for its rugged, high-quality work boots, Timberland has long been embraced within hip-hop culture by New York rappers and dancers alike. Joining them is professional drummer Hisashi, adding another dimension to the performance.

In this interview, we dive into 1ch’s current, unfiltered mindset. As a long-time Timberland enthusiast, he shares his thoughts on wearing the latest 【Timberland 25】 6-inch boots, along with his personal approach to fashion rooted in his lifestyle, the relationship between dance and fashion, and his philosophy on staying true to his own style. He also speaks about his vision of becoming a presence where “1ch itself is the style.”

1ch (hereafter: I)

A style that expresses the originality of “1ch” himself—free from the boundaries of both dance and fashion genres.

— You’re known for your one-of-a-kind sense of style. Could you tell us what you pay particular attention to in your everyday fashion?

I: The most important thing for me is the fit—making sure it suits my body type—and creating combinations that bring out a unique vibe you won’t find in anyone else.

To achieve that, I don’t limit myself to any specific genre. I explore all kinds of styles. For example, I might mix elements of street fashion into American casual or genderless fashion, always searching for those moments where I think, “Wait, this actually works really well together.”

That’s why I don’t narrow myself down to one category. I look at fashion as a whole and enjoy it daily by մտածing, “With this kind of combination, this item would suit me best.”

— Is there a difference between what you wear for dance and your everyday outfits?

I: Yeah, definitely. If I had to sum it up in one phrase, it’s “functionality and freedom.” When it comes to dance, I prioritize ease of movement above all else. For everyday fashion, I focus more on freedom in expression.

Of course, even for dance, I try not to be restricted by genres and keep a certain level of freedom in my styling. But when you’re performing, it’s crucial that your performance doesn’t suffer. So for dance outfits, I prioritize functionality first and style second.

— Do you feel that your fashion style is connected to your dance style in any way?

I: Definitely. Just like with fashion, I’m conscious of not being confined to any genre in dance, so that’s where the connection lies. My background includes KRUMP, POPPIN, and HIP HOP, but I don’t think of myself as dancing within those categories. Instead, I express a style that is uniquely “1ch,” moving freely without being bound by genres.

In the same way, my approach to fashion isn’t about liking a specific category—it’s about expressing myself. By exploring different styles, I’ve found combinations that naturally blend into who I am, without belonging to any one genre. I think that sense of freedom carries over directly into my dance as well.

— You truly embody a free, unrestricted fashion style. How do you choose your outfits?

I: I think there are two main ways I approach it. For dance, I choose outfits that maximize the expression of “1ch” as a dancer. My style often focuses on expressing the texture of sound—whether it’s large arm swings influenced by KRUMP or chest hits from POPPIN—so I prioritize clothing that doesn’t interfere with those movements while still maintaining a strong silhouette. I also want to convey a sense of weight and presence, so I see fashion as part of the performance itself.

For everyday wear, I focus more on reflecting my personality, lifestyle, and current mood. Simply put, when I’m dancing, it’s about “myself in battle,” and outside of dance, it’s about “myself living everyday life.” That’s the concept behind how I choose my outfits.

— Footwear is also an important part of fashion, whether in dance or daily life. How do you choose your shoes, like sneakers or boots?

I: There’s definitely some overlap between dance and everyday life here. Comfort and ease of movement are essential, and beyond that, I look for designs that elevate my overall outfit. Those three elements—comfort, functionality, and design—are what I prioritize when choosing shoes.

“They’re Timberland, yet not heavy.” What I want to express with the 【Timberland 25】 6-inch boots is a light, effortless stomp that still carries a strong sense of weight and presence.

— You’ve been wearing Timberland for a long time. What’s your impression of the brand?

I: In one word, it’s a brand that has been embraced by street culture and elevated into fashion. I feel like it fits into any scene, blends seamlessly with any outfit, yet still has a strong presence—it’s just cool. I first got the classic yellow boots when I was in either 6th grade or my first year of junior high, after seeing my dance teacher and other dancers wearing them. Since then, I’ve kept buying new pairs and incorporating them into my style for years.

— What was your honest impression after actually wearing the 【Timberland 25】 6-inch boots?

I: My first impression was honestly how incredibly light they are—it really surprised me. Because of that lightness, they’re also very easy to move in, and I felt like there’s nothing to complain about with these boots. I actually came wearing the original Timberland yellow boots that I usually wear, so I got to compare them side by side—and the difference in lightness was shocking. They look heavy and solid, but they’re so easy to move in, which made the experience really interesting.

— Can you imagine how you’d style the Timberland 25 in your everyday outfits?

I: This pair alone already has a strong presence and feels like it has a solid foundation, so I think it could go with almost anything. Personally, I’d like to pair them with more mode or luxury-style outfits, using them as a piece to break the look—in a good way—and create an interesting contrast.

— From a dance perspective, what kind of moves would you like to perform with these lightweight, flexible Timberland 25 boots?

I: For this shoot, I mainly danced KRUMP. The stomping movements really brought out a sense of weight and power, but because the boots are so light and easy to move in, I was also able to do quick, rapid footwork—like matching the drummer’s beats with fast, sharp steps. That kind of light movement felt really natural. Moving forward, I want to keep showing impactful moves—combining heavy-looking motions with a sense of lightness.

— Timberland has core values like “break the rules,” “bold,” and “stylish.” How do these words relate to you when you apply them to yourself?

I: For me, “break the rules” means not being bound by genres. I mix styles like POPPIN, HIP HOP, and KRUMP in my dancing, and I’m also conscious of doing things like wearing outfits people wouldn’t typically expect from a dancer. That mindset carries into both how I live and how I perform, so I think that’s where it connects.

As for “bold,” I think it reflects my attitude of going all in and never doing things halfway—it’s about having a stoic, fully committed mindset. Whether it’s competing in D.LEAGUE or dance battles, or even when styling my fashion, I always aim to go all the way without holding back. That part of me really links to the idea of being bold.

And when it comes to “stylish,” I have my own philosophy in fashion—I prioritize what suits me over what’s trending. I believe that personal sense of style connects with Timberland’s idea of being stylish.

Special Movie: Pro Dancer 1ch × Pro Drummer Hisashi with Timberland 25

— How did you find this special session between a dancer and a drummer?

I: It was insanely fun. It felt completely different from dancing to pre-existing tracks—it honestly felt like we were dancing together as two performers. Even though Hisashi wasn’t physically dancing, the fact that he was creating music live made it feel like I was interacting with another person. The sense of presence was incredible, and dancing while feeling that energy and those vibes was just amazing.

H: I actually have a lot of dancer friends, so I do sessions like this quite often. But with 1ch, since his base is KRUMP, the powerful “bang!” kind of groove really matched well, and it made the whole experience really exciting.

— 1ch, you mentioned it felt completely different from existing music. What was unique about dancing to live drumming?

I: Since the sound is right there in front of you, I felt like my dance could easily be overtaken by the intensity of the sound. So I had to put more emotion into it and push myself to another level to not get overwhelmed. The way I got into the zone was very different from usual. But at the same time, dancing to live sound made me feel more connected to the music.

— And from your perspective, Hisashi, did you feel any synergy with 1ch’s dance as a drummer?

H: This was actually my first time sessioning with a KRUMPer, but I felt a strong connection. It’s like the trappy beat—the way he drops his weight onto the kick—lined up perfectly with where I wanted to go as a drummer. Sometimes dancers interpret rhythm differently, especially in terms of timing, but this time it felt like we were sinking into the beat at the same moments.

Also, we both wore the Timberland 25 boots for this shoot, and they’re incredibly light while still allowing you to put weight into your movement. That made it easier for me to press into the bass drum—it almost feels like a sneaker.

I sometimes carry my drum kit on my bike and head out to the streets, and these boots are great because they protect my feet while riding. They’re versatile enough to wear in all kinds of situations.

Fashion as a dancer’s weapon: a “silent introduction.”

— How do you see the role of fashion in self-expression, including dance?

I: Personally, I think the role of fashion for a dancer can be summed up in one phrase: a “silent introduction.” Fashion is a tool that communicates who you are even before you start dancing—it visually expresses your world and identity. In that sense, clothing becomes a weapon for dancers, and that’s the role fashion plays in dance.

— Where do you draw inspiration for your fashion from?

I: I often observe what people are wearing in the city. Not just stylish people, but everyone—elderly people, all kinds of individuals. I look at their outfits from head to toe and think things like, “That combination is interesting,” or “If I were to reinterpret that, I could make it even more stylish.” I’m constantly generating ideas like that.

I’m also inspired by people outside of dance—for example, the comedian Tsuzuki Takuya from Yonsentoshin has really interesting outfit combinations, and I get a lot of inspiration from him. I also look up to the actor Masaki Suda, who has an incredible sense of style.

But more than anything, everyone has their own unique sensibility. I value how I can interpret and incorporate those influences into my own style. So regardless of age, gender, or profession, I draw inspiration from all kinds of people without limiting myself to any category.

— When did you start becoming conscious of creating your own style beyond genres, in both dance and fashion?

I: It’s actually fairly recent—I’d say about three years ago when I moved to Tokyo and started performing on the stage of D.LEAGUE. Watching the first season had a huge impact on me—I realized just how many incredibly skilled dancers there are out there.

When I was given the opportunity to perform starting from Season 2, I understood that if I stayed confined to imitation or specific genres, I wouldn’t stand out among top-level dancers. So before joining D.LEAGUE, I made the decision to fully commit to finding my own style beyond genres.

Including both dance and fashion, I realized that to stand out as a performer, you need to be one level above. That realization pushed me to refine my own unique style. I’ve always liked fashion, but from that point on, it felt like everything accelerated even more.

— How do you think the relationship between dance and fashion will evolve within the scene and culture going forward?

I: I think dance and fashion will become even more fused. As new dance styles emerge and the variety of music continues to expand, I feel like new fashion genres will naturally be born alongside them.

For example, grunge fashion came from the music genre of grunge rock—what Kurt Cobain wore became the foundation of that style. In the same way, I believe dance will continue to merge with different kinds of music, creating new forms of expression. And I’d love to become a pioneer of that kind of movement, just like him.

— Are there any challenges you’d like to take on through fashion in the future?

I: I don’t have anything fully concrete yet, but since I truly love clothing, I want to start my own apparel brand someday. I hope people will also pay attention to my activities through fashion.

“What you wear is how you live.”
Toward a future where the very existence of 1ch itself becomes a “style.”

— Could you tell us about your future goals and dreams?

I: One of my dreams is for my existence—not just as a dancer named “1ch,” but including who I am as a person—to be recognized as a style in itself. Eventually, I want to launch my own fashion brand and have people all over the world wear it. I’d also love to reach a point where people casually say, “Do you know that dancer 1ch?” and for others to respond, “Yeah, he’s really cool.” More than anything, I want to be seen as a cool person as a whole.

— Once again, what does fashion mean to you?

I: If I had to put it in one phrase, it’s “a manifestation of determination.” I truly believe that what you wear is how you live, so fashion is a symbol of my resolve.

— Lastly, for those who love dance and fashion, what is one important thing you would tell them about finding their own style?

I: If I had to choose one thing, it would be “trust your sense of discomfort.” When you compare yourself to others and feel like, “Something about this feels a bit off,” that difference can actually become your uniqueness. So I think it’s really important to trust that feeling.

At first, it might feel a bit negative or uncomfortable, but if you push through it, it can evolve into your own style—and you might even realize it works surprisingly well. For example, in fashion, something like glasses or a cap might feel strange at first, but as you keep wearing it, it starts to feel natural. Even items with unusual shapes can become stylish when combined in the right way. So trusting that initial sense of discomfort and building from it is a great way to discover your own style.

— Lastly, what does your own “style” mean to you, including both dance and fashion?

I: For me, in both dance and fashion, I trust the feeling that comes before thinking. I’m always conscious of expressing the heat and sense of discomfort I feel in each moment through my dance and what I wear. In that sense, my style is about “expressing my real self as I am, without hiding anything.”

That means my past style, my future style—they’re all part of my style. And ultimately, being truly free from anything and fully embodying my “real” self in the present moment—that is what defines the style of “1ch.”

Timberland — “It’s Timberland, yet not heavy.”

“The ‘Timberland 25’ 6-inch boots inherit the iconic silhouette and craftsmanship of the original Yellow Boots, first introduced over half a century ago, while being reimagined for a modern lifestyle that values lightness. Achieving a 25% reduction in weight compared to previous models, they are designed for everyday use—offering a light step and comfortable fit from the very first stride, even in an active daily life.”

1ch Profile

Born on November 1, 1999, in Hiroshima, Japan, he discovered dance at the age of 11. He later worked as an instructor at STUDIO FLEX in Hiroshima, while earning awards in various battles across Japan, and performing in showcases and workshops. His activities extend beyond Japan, as he has conducted workshops and served as a judge internationally, establishing a global presence.

He also has the distinction of being the youngest finalist in history at one of the world’s most prestigious street dance competitions, “JAPAN DANCE DELIGHT vol.24.”

Currently, he is a member of the D.LEAGUE team “CyberAgent Legit,” and focuses on his work as a dance instructor. In addition to dancing, he is expanding his creative pursuits into areas such as beat-making and DJing.