Timeline
A look back at Sayuri's life and career.
Born in Fukuoka
Sayuri was born on June 7, 1996, in Fukuoka, Japan. She later took the stage name さユり (Sayuri) with the nickname "Sanketsu-girl" (酸欠少女), built around feelings of alienation, being different, and the anxieties of young people.
Discovers the guitar
During middle school she became interested in the guitar, inspired partly by Kanjani Eight playing instruments as a band. This grew into writing songs, building her skills as a singer-songwriter from a young age.
LONGTAL & street performance
As a teenager she joined the acoustic duo LONGTAL under the name Asuka, performing on the street, at live houses and coffee shops, and traveling to play in different cities. She left school to pursue music more seriously.
Yamaha Music Revolution — Grand Prix
At age 16, Sayuri and LONGTAL entered the Yamaha Music Revolution and won the Grand Prix at the 5th final. The win was a turning point that opened the path from street musician toward a professional career.
Moves to Tokyo
Sayuri moved from Fukuoka to Tokyo, continuing her music and building her name as a solo artist through live performances and independent activity.
Major debut — 「ミカヅキ」 Mikazuki
On August 26, 2015, at around age 19, Sayuri made her major debut with the single "Mikazuki", used as the ending theme of the anime *Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace*. It brought her wide recognition in the anime and music world.
「それは小さな光のような」 — ERASED
Her second single, "Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna", became the ending theme of *ERASED (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)*. It reached No. 7 on Oricon Daily and No. 3 on the iTunes Japan consolidated single chart.
「るーららるーらーるららるーらー」
Released the digital EP "Lu-raralu-ra-luraralu-ra-", which reached No. 1 on the iTunes consolidated album chart.
「フラレガイガール」 Furaregai-girl
A major collaboration written and produced by Yojiro Noda of RADWIMPS. The song again reached No. 1 on the iTunes consolidated album chart, showing Sayuri working with major names in the Japanese music industry.
First album — 「ミカヅキの航海」 Mikazuki no Kokai
On May 17, 2017, Sayuri released her first full album, reaching No. 1 on the Oricon Daily Album chart and No. 3 on the Oricon Weekly Album chart, cementing her as a new-generation singer-songwriter.
「月と花束」 Tsuki to Hanataba — Fate/EXTRA
Released on February 28, 2018, as the ending theme of the anime *Fate/EXTRA Last Encore*, expanding her catalog into the Fate franchise.
「レイメイ」 Reimei — Golden Kamuy
Collaborated with MY FIRST STORY on "Reimei", the opening theme of *Golden Kamuy* Season 2, revealing a more rock-oriented side to her music.
「航海の唄」 Koukai no Uta — My Hero Academia
Her song "Koukai no Uta" was used as the ending theme of *My Hero Academia* Season 4, one of the works most associated with her name among anime fans.
Acoustic album — 「め」 Me
Released on June 3, 2020, "Me" focuses on her voice and guitar, showing a more intimate side. It reached the Top 5 on Oricon and Billboard Japan and included recordings of key songs like Mikazuki, Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna, Furaregai-girl, Heikousen, Tsuki to Hanataba, Reimei, and Koukai no Uta.
「かみさま」 Kamisama
Released "Kamisama", used as the opening theme of the drama *Tokyo Kaiki Sake*, along with various digital singles, showing her identity was not limited to anime music.
「花の塔」 Hana no Tou — Lycoris Recoil
Released in July 2022, "Hana no Tou" became the ending theme of *Lycoris Recoil*. The anime's popularity brought Sayuri to a new generation of anime fans.
Second album — 「酸欠少女」 Sanketsu Shōjo
On August 10, 2022, about five years after her first album, Sayuri released her second full album, "Sanketsu Shōjo".
「アクマノウタ」 Akuma no Uta feat. Sayuri
Collaborated with BAK on "Akuma no Uta", released on October 31, 2023, remaining active as a musician.
Marriage to Amaarashi
On March 18, 2024, Sayuri announced she had married Amaarashi of the music unit Misekai (ミセカイ). She revealed she proposed first, describing her partner as cheerful, strong, and sincere about music.
Performs in Indonesia — AFAID 2024
On May 4, 2024, Sayuri performed at Anime Festival Asia Indonesia 2024 (AFAID24) in Jakarta, appearing in the "I ♥ Anisong" concert at the Jakarta Convention Center — one of her last international performances.
Announces functional dysphonia & hiatus
On July 25, 2024, Sayuri announced she had functional dysphonia, with symptoms including a trembling voice, sudden changes, hoarseness, and difficulty singing. She paused singing activities to focus on rehabilitation with a speech-language pathologist and voice trainer.
Passed away
Sayuri passed away on September 20, 2024, at age 28. The news was announced to the public on September 27, 2024 by her family and husband. The cause of death was not officially disclosed; her husband mentioned she had faced a chronic illness. Her music and words live on through this archive.