The music and anime communities are mourning the loss of Sayuri, a talented Japanese singer, musician, and composer, who passed away on September 20, 2024, at the age of 28. The news was confirmed through an official statement by her husband, Amaarashi, who reported that the funeral was held privately with only family and close friends present, respecting the family’s wishes.
Sayuri, known for her unique and profound style, was one of the most representative artists in the anime world, particularly for her contributions to the musical themes of popular series such as “Boku no Hero Academia,” “Golden Kamuy,” and “Lycoris Recoil.” With her powerful voice and lyrics that evoked intense emotions, Sayuri captured the attention of thousands of fans around the world.
Struggle with Functional Dysphonia
In July 2024, Sayuri shared a heartfelt post on her Twitter account explaining the difficult situation she was facing due to her condition of functional dysphonia. She revealed that she had been experiencing difficulties with her voice for some time, which led her to seek medical attention and receive this diagnosis. Sayuri explained that her voice trembled, broke, or became hoarse, and that the muscles involved in her vocalization were not responding as she wished, making it extremely difficult to continue singing.
Sayuri expressed her frustration, stating, “It’s very painful not being able to sing. My way of expressing myself and connecting with the world has always been through my voice, and now I feel as if I’ve been disconnected from everything.” Despite this setback, Sayuri also shared a message of hope, indicating that although the recovery process would be long, she was dedicated to her rehabilitation with the help of language specialists and vocal trainers.
Professional Career: From Anonymity to Success
Sayuri began her career under the name Asuka in her hometown of Fukuoka while still in high school. Inspired by the band Kanjani Eight, Sayuri decided to learn to play the guitar and began composing her first songs. She was part of the acoustic duo LONGTAL, performing on streets and in small concert halls in cities like Hiroshima, Osaka, and Nagoya. Despite her youth, in 2012, at the age of 15, she won the Grand Prix in the fifth edition of Music Revolution, a music contest organized by Yamaha Music, which propelled her as a promising talent within the indie scene.
In 2013, she moved to Tokyo, where she adopted the stage name Sanketsu Shōjo Sayuri (酸欠少女さユり), which means “the hypoxia girl“. This name symbolized her focus on “dimension 2.5” music, where she fused reality with fictional elements, positioning herself as a parallel singer and composer. Her distinctive style, which included performing barefoot and wearing a poncho, earned her recognition and admiration from a diverse audience.
Contributions to Anime
Sayuri was also notable for her participation in the anime industry, being recognized for performing the musical themes of several hits. Among her most memorable contributions are:
- “Lycoris Recoil” – Performed the ending theme
- “Edens Zero” – Performed the ending theme
- “Yesterday wo Utatte” – Performed the second ending theme
- “Boku no Hero Academia” (4th season) – Performed the first ending theme
- “Golden Kamuy” (2nd season) – Performed the opening theme
- “Fate/Extra: Last Encore” – Performed the ending theme
- “Boku dake ga Inai Machi” – Performed the ending theme
Her voice, always recognized for its tremendous emotional power and natural vibrato, allowed her to leave an indelible mark on the memory of fans of these series. Although Sayuri has left us at an early age, her artistic legacy remains in the songs that continue to resonate among fans.
The music and anime communities will undoubtedly feel the absence of this talented artist, whose unique voice and emotive compositions touched the hearts of many. As fans and fellow artists mourn her loss, Sayuri’s music will continue to inspire and be remembered for years to come.
