This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
The Japanese singer’s husband announces the news of her death on X
MANILA, Philippines – Japanese singer-songwriter Sayuri, best known for her work on anime such as My Hero Academia and Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi), has died at 28, her husband Amaarashi confirmed on Friday, September 27.
In an open letter posted on her official social media account on X, her husband informed her fans that Sayuri passed away on September 20.
さユりに関するお知らせ pic.twitter.com/nmFo9YHUgJ
— 酸欠少女 さユり (@taltalasuka) September 27, 2024
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the kindness shown to Sayuri during her lifetime, and together with everyone, we would like to pray for her soul to rest in peace,” Amaarashi wrote, according to a translation by CBR.
In the announcement, her husband shared that Sayuri had a small, private funeral with only close family and friends, in accordance with her wishes. The family also requested that the media be sensitive about the grief they are experiencing and asked them to “refrain from interviewing those involved” with Sayuri.
While the cause of Sayuri’s death remains undisclosed, her death follows an indefinite hiatus she took earlier this year due to her battle with functional dysphonia. This condition causes vocal strain and tension. Sayuri had been open about her struggles with this illness, which she revealed in July 2024, when she announced the break from her career.
少し前から発声時に違和感があり、思うように声を出すことが出来なくなっていました。
病院にかかったところ機能性発声障害と診断されました。
声が震えたり裏返ったり掠れたり筋肉が意思と反した動きをしてしまい、歌うことが難しい状況が続いています。…— 酸欠少女 さユり (@taltalasuka) July 25, 2024
“I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with functional dysphonia. My voice trembles, cracks, and becomes hoarse, and my muscles move against my will, making it difficult for me to sing…. I need time to concentrate on rehabilitation in order to heal, so I have decided to take a break from singing for a while,” Sayuri wrote.
Her husband shared that Sayuri remained “passionate about music until the very end” despite her battle with a chronic illness.
Sayuri’s music career began in 2010, when she started as an independent artist in Fukuoka, later moving to Tokyo in 2013 to further her musical ambitions. She gained significant recognition in 2015 with her debut single “Mikazuki,” the ending theme for the anime Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace. The song propelled her into the spotlight among anime fans, and she quickly became a well-known voice in the industry.
Despite her fame, Sayuri kept a low profile, never revealing her real name. She was known for her unique voice, characterized by a natural tremble that conveyed deep emotion, and her lyrics often explored dark and emotional themes. This made her music resonate strongly with fans, who appreciated the raw vulnerability she brought to her performances.
Throughout her career, Sayuri performed theme songs for several iconic anime. Her track “Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna” became the ending theme for Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi), and “Koukai no Uta” featured prominently in My Hero Academia Season 4. She also contributed music to shows like Scum’s Wish and Lycoris Recoil. – with reports from Zulaikha Palma/Rappler.com
Zulaikha Palma is a Rappler intern, taking up AB Journalism at the University of Santo Tomas.
