Ayane (彩音) is a female Japanese singer from Saitama Prefecture, who is mainly known for having performed several songs used in video games and anime. She has performed theme songs for numerous animated works, including Higurashi When They Cry, Kenkō Zenrakei Suieibu Umishō, Ayakashi, 11eyes: Tsumi to Batsu to Aganai no Shōjo, the Memories Off series, and Steins;Gate, among others.

Biography

She studied piano, and began writing lyrics and dancing since early childhood. In 2004, she released her debut single, entitled "Kizuna", which was used as opening theme for the TV anime series W Wish. Her first moderate success came in 2007 with her 5th single, "Nageki no Mori", which was used as the opening theme of the PlayStation 2 game Higurashi: When They Cry – Matsuri and became her first Top 30 entry on the Oricon charts. In 2009, her 8th single "Lunatic Tears...", which was used as theme song for the computer game 11eyes: Tsumi to Batsu to Aganai no Shōjo, received high acclaim and won the Gold Prize in the theme song category at the Bishojo Game Awards. In 2014, she released her third studio album, Luminous Flux, and later released her 10th anniversary commemorative album Base Ten, for which she included re-arranged versions of previous singles, self-covers, and anime covers. This year she was also invited to numerous international anime-related events, and performed live in Russia, the United States and Taiwan. In November 2016, her 23rd single "Soul Buster" was used as theme song of the Chinese-Japanese co-produced anime of the same name. In 2019, she celebrated the 15th anniversary with the release of the EP for Dearest, whose leading song was used as theme song for the video game Memories off -Innocent Fille-, and also held her 15th anniversary concert Ayane 15th Anniversary Live -for Dearest- at Club Seata in Kichijoji, Tokyo. In 2020, Ayane was appointed to perform the ending theme song for the Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou anime. She subsequently also performed the second ending theme of Gou, and the opening theme of the final season Higurashi: When They Cry – Sotsu in 2021.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

EPs

Concept albums

Remix albums

Singles

Other

With

As Junko Hirata

Songs written for other artists