"No Way Man" () is the 54th single (second to last in the Heisei Period) by the Japanese idol girl group, AKB48. It was released in Japan by King Records on November 28, 2018.
The single features Sakura Miyawaki as both the lead singer and choreographic center.
This is the last single to feature Sakura Miyawaki, Hitomi Honda, and Nako Yabuki, the three winning contestants of Produce 48, before they began their activities in Iz*One. This single also marked the last performance of Miyu Takeuchi before her departure from the group.
The song No Way Man has been redone by AKB48 Team SH's in Chinese in 2019, and MNL48's in Filipino in 2022.
Background & release
Announcement of the single was announced through the group's Showroom channel on September 24, 2018. It revealed the participating members from across the AKB48 Group based in Japan that will feature in the single's main song, leading to a total of 23 members. The top 20 Japanese contestants from Produce 48 were also featured in the single's main song, marking members Hitomi Honda and Miu Shitao's first time performing in an A-side single. The single also marked member Miyu Takeuchi's first appearance on an A-side single since the 2012 single Eien Pressure.
The single was released in 5 different physical versions which contain a CD, a DVD and a CD booklet. Each physical version was also issued in two different editions; regular edition, and limited edition version which also contained an additional ballot for participating in the group's annual Request Hour event. Each released version contains a different track list and different photo cover. The single also included a theater edition version which contained a CD with additional songs and a solo cover from Sakura Miyawaki as center performer. In total, the single was released in 11 physical versions.
The digital version of this single was released in six different versions which are credited as Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Type-D and Type-E. The album cover uses the Limited Edition version cover as the theater version's track list is the same as the physical version.
The entire single features 124 members; 62 members from AKB48, 17 members from HKT48, 15 members from NGT48, 12 members from NMB48, 10 members from SKE48, and the last 8 members from STU48.
Promotion
No Way Man was first played through the group's radio show, AKB48 no All Night Nippon, on October 24. The B-side that is sung by the PRODUCE48 Senbatsu was also played on the same show on October 31. Another song that was included in this single was also played on bayfm ON8+1, a radio show that is hosted by member Miho Miyazaki.
To further promote the song, the members who participated in No Way Man appeared on several Japanese music shows around 2018, including the annual Best Hits Kayosai by Yomiuri TV, Best Artist 2018 by NTV, Count Down TV by TBS, and Music Station by TV Asahi.
Because three of the participating members in the single's main song were also active members of Iz*One, there has only been one performance of the song that features all of the original members, which took place on FNS's Music Festival. To replace the original performers, the group sometimes chooses rotational members to fill the positions. In special occasions like for Best Hits Kayosai performances, the group holds a special audition first before selecting members to perform.
Music video
The "No Way Man" music video was released on October 26, 2018. A Billboard Japan review claimed the video showcases the group's most demanding choreography to date.
The official music video was published on the official AKB48 YouTube channel.
The music video features dramatic performances by the chosen members backed by an array of colors and flashing lights.
Chart performance
"No Way Man" debuted at the top of the Oricon Singles Chart on its first day, with 1,173,015 physical copies sold. The single stayed at the top of the chart on its second and third day, and dropped to number three on its fourth day. The song debuted at the top of the chart in its first week, with 1,205,009 physical copies sold.
By October 28, 2018, "No Way Man" surpassed 2.5 million views on YouTube. Within the first 24 hours of being posted online, it accumulated 1.39 million views. The music video also the most viewed music video among any 2017-2020 releases from AKB48.