ReoNa, born on October 20, 1998, is a Japanese singer hailing from Amami Oshima, Kagoshima.
She is celebrated for her dramatic and emotionally charged music style, often dubbed the "Despair-themed Anisong Singer" and known for the tagline "Hello, Unhappy."
Affiliated with SACRA MUSIC and the talent agency LIVE LAB., ReoNa burst onto the scene through her performances for anime and video games.
Her heartfelt vocals and raw, relatable lyrics have won her a dedicated following of fans who find comfort and catharsis in her music.
ReoNa grew up in Amami Oshima, a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture.
From a young age, she faced struggles including bullying and conflicts at home, experiences which shaped the confessional and empathetic tone of her later songwriting.
As a child, she gravitated toward music as her emotional outlet, eventually turning her life’s pains into powerful stories and songs.
ReoNa’s professional journey took off in 2017 when she became a finalist in SACRA MUSIC AUDITION 2017 SPRING.
She made her major debut in July 2018, singing as the fictional artist "Elsa Kanzaki" in the anime "Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online."
This debut mini-album, released under the title "ELZA," reached No. 8 on the Oricon charts.
In August 2018, she ventured into a solo career with her first single "SWEET HURT," the ending theme for the anime “Happy Sugar Life.”
She continued to work on high-profile anime and video games, often performing opening and ending themes for series like "Sword Art Online," "Shadow House," "Arknights," and "Shangri-La Frontier."
ReoNa is also well-known for her unique "Despair Songs," meant to accompany listeners through life’s harder moments.
In 2021, her single "Lifeline" achieved her first No. 1 on the Oricon Digital Singles Chart.
Her discography includes several singles, EPs, full-length albums, and even live concert Blu-rays.
She has also collaborated with a range of artists and contributed to theme songs for numerous projects in the anime and gaming industries.
ReoNa’s single “Lifeline” topped the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Chart in September 2021, marking a personal milestone.
Many of her works have entered the Top 10 of the Oricon charts, demonstrating her consistent popularity and impact in the anisong field.
She cites Ed Sheeran and Daniel Powter as strong influences on her musical style.
Her cover of "Bad Day" caught the attention of Daniel Powter himself, leading to an on-stage collaboration during Powter’s tour in Japan.
ReoNa is a devoted cat lover and keeps three beloved pet cats named Chikuwa, Sashimi, and Wasabi.
She has made it a daily habit to post "voice diaries" on Twitter before going to bed, offering fans a personal connection to her day-to-day life.
ReoNa has often spoken about her mission to create music that empathizes with despair, providing solace for those feeling isolated.
Many of her lyrics draw directly from her difficult youth, including bullying and family strife.
Her unique personal philosophy has helped her carve out a niche as an artist who gives a voice to "nameless despair" often left unsung.
Published in March 2023, her first artist book "Pilgrim" was released through KADOKAWA, giving fans an even deeper look into her world and artistic journey.
ReoNa frequently participates in both national and international music events and anime conventions, broadening her global reach and community.
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