Gunjō (song)

"Gunjō" (群青, lit. "Ultramarine") is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi, featuring an uncredited chorus by cover group Plusonica,^[1] from their debut EP, The Book (2021). It was released as a single through Sony Music Entertainment Japan on September 1, 2020. Inspired by Tsubasa Yamaguchi's manga Blue Period and based on a story text Ao o Mikata ni, the song is described as "a cheering song that inspires listeners by immersing themselves in what they like and expressing what they see."^[2]

"Gunjō"
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book
Language	Japanese
English title	"Blue"
Released	September 1, 2020
Genre	J-pop
Length	4:08
Label	Sony Japan
Songwriter(s)	Ayase
Producer(s)	Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Tabun" (2020) "Gunjō" (2020) "Haruka" (2020)
Music video
"Gunjō" on YouTube "Blue" on YouTube

The music video was uploaded on December 1,^[3] and surpassed 100 million views on May 30, 2022.^[4] The English version, titled "Blue", was released on October 29, 2021.^[5] "Gunjō" was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) after surpassing 500 million streams in the country, the duo's second song after "Yoru ni Kakeru".^[6]

Live performances

Yoasobi performed "Gunjō" for the first time as a full group, including band members, and Plusonica on the YouTube channel The First Take, uploaded on February 26, 2021.^[7] After their second extended play The Book 2 announcement, Yoasobi appeared on Best Artist 2021, giving a televised debut performance of the song on November 17.^[8] They performed the song at the year-end television special 72nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on December 31. The show depicted Ikura standing on the escalator downstairs to perform on the stage, where Ayase, the band members, and the orchestra gathered there.^[9]

Usage in media

"Gunjō" was featured on Bourbon's Alfort Mini Chocolate advertisement in 2020.^[10] Additionally, it was also used as a theme of Dance One Project '21, a project that supports high school's dance club held by morning show Sukkiri,^[11] and accompanied the 94th High School Baseball Tournament entrance march.^[12] In January 2024, "Gunjō" was mashed up with Vaundy's "Hana Uranai", and fryer chime's sound, titled "Tirori Remix 2024" for McDonald's Japan's promotional video.^[13] The song appeared on the special promotional video for the live-action film adaption of Blue Period.^[14]

Track listing

• Digital download and streaming^[15]

1. "Gunjō" (群青) – 4:08

• Digital download and streaming (English version)^[16]

1. "Blue" – 4:08

Credits and personnel

Song Ayase – songwriter, producer Ikura – vocals Alfort Creative Team – based story writer AssH – guitar Plusonica[A] – chorus Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording Masahiko Fukui – mixing Hidekazu Sakai – mastering Nina Ai – artwork cover design

Music video Atsushi Makino – director Tōru Akamatsu – cinematographer Keigo Suzuki – lightning director Tomomi Kawano – art Toshirō Tabata – editor

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2020–2023) Peak position Global 200 (Billboard)[17] 44 Hong Kong (Billboard)[18] 20 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[19] 6 Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[20] 9 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[21] 14 Chart performance for "Blue" Chart (2021) Peak position Japan Digital Singles (Oricon)[22] 13

Year-end charts 2020 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2020) Position Japan (Japan Hot 100)[23] 91 2021 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2021) Position Global Excl. U.S. (Billboard)[24] 90 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[25] 8 Japan Streaming (Oricon)[26] 7 2022 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2022) Position Japan (Japan Hot 100)[27] 16 2023 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2023) Position Japan (Japan Hot 100)[28] 32 All-time charts All-time chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2008–2022) Position Japan (Japan Hot 100)[29] 16

Certifications

Certifications for "Gunjō"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[30]	Platinum	250,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[31]	Diamond	500,000,000†
* Sales figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Gunjō"

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	September 1, 2020	Digital download streaming	Original (Japanese)	Sony Japan	[15]
	October 29, 2021		English ("Blue")		[16]

Notes

1. Consisting of Narita Ayori, Hikari Codama, Miki Maria, Masa, Miku Motomatsu, Natsumi, Kosei Nishiyama, Saki, Suzu, and Tetsuto

References

1. "YOASOBIが新曲「群青」9月リリース、合唱パートにぷらそにか参加". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). August 20, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
2. "YOASOBI、新曲「群青」のCMストーリーテキスト＆コラボ映像を公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
3. "YOASOBI、ブルボン「アルフォートミニチョコレート」CMソング「群青」MVを本日プレミア公開 CMの新バージョンも本日よりオンエア". Musicman (in Japanese). December 1, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
4. "YOASOBI、「群青」のMVがYouTubeで1億回再生を突破". The First Time (in Japanese). May 30, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
5. "YOASOBI「群青」の英語版楽曲「Blue」スッキリの高校生ダンス部応援企画テーマ曲をアレンジ". Fashion Press (in Japanese). Carlin Inc. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
6. "2023年7月度ストリーミング認定、YOASOBI「群青」がダイヤモンド 川崎鷹也「魔法の絨毯」Da-iCE「CITRUS」がトリプル・プラチナ". Musicman (in Japanese). August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
7. "YOASOBIが「THE FIRST TAKE」で"群青"披露、ぷらそにかと共演". Cinra (in Japanese). February 26, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
8. "【ベストアーティスト】YOASOBI、人気曲「群青」TV初披露 来年の抱負は「有観客ライブを頑張りたい」". Oricon (in Japanese). November 17, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
9. "【紅白】2度目出場のYOASOBI、「群青」の歌詞を一部変更パフォーマンス「みんなだ！」と絶叫". Encount (in Japanese). December 31, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
10. "YOASOBIの新曲「群青」心震わせる応援ソング、杉野遥亮出演CM曲に起用". Fashion Press (in Japanese). December 1, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
11. "YOASOBI、「群青」が『スッキリ』による全国高校生ダンス部応援企画のテーマ曲に". Barks (in Japanese). June 18, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
12. "センバツ入場行進曲はYOASOBIの「群青」 選手にエール". Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 14, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
13. "マクドナルド、YOASOBI「群青」×Vaundy「花占い」×「ティロリ♪」音のマッシュアップ楽曲「ティロリミックス 2024」MV公開". Game Watch (in Japanese). January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
14. "『ブルーピリオド』YOASOBI「群青」とのコラボ特別映像解禁". Cinema Café (in Japanese). July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
15. Yoasobi (September 1, 2020). "Gunjou – Single". Apple Music (US). Retrieved May 7, 2022.
16. Yoasobi (October 29, 2021). "Blue (English Version) – Single". Apple Music (US). Retrieved May 7, 2022.
17. "Yoasobi Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
18. "Yoasobi Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
19. "Yoasobi Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
20. "週間 合算シングルランキング 2021年03月29日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. March 29, 2021. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
21. "Yoasobi Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
22. "週間 デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2021年11月08日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
23. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-End 2020" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
24. "Year-End Charts Billboard Global Excl. U.S. 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
25. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-End 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
26. "【オリコン年間ランキング2021】Snow Man、唯一のミリオン達成で「シングル」年間1位 / ストリーミングランキング 1位~10位" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
27. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-End 2022". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
28. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – 2023 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 8, 2023.
29. ""JAPAN HOT 100"15周年を記念したオールタイムTOP50発表 1位は米津玄師「Lemon」". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 31, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
30. "Japanese digital single certifications – YOASOBI – 群青" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 20, 2022. Select 2021年12月 on the drop-down menu
31. "Japanese single streaming certifications – YOASOBI – 群青" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved August 23, 2023. Select 2023年7月 on the drop-down menu

External links

• Ao o Mikata ni on Bourbon official website
• English translation of Make Blue Your Ally