Liyuu (born 9 January 1997) is a Chinese singer, voice actress and cosplayer who is affiliated with HoriPro International and signed to Lantis. Beginning her activities as a cosplayer before 2016 under the stage name 黎狱 (pinyin: Lí yù, pronounced same as "Liyuu"), she made her debut as a singer in 2020 with the release of her first single "Magic Words", the title track of which was used as the opening theme of the anime television series Hatena Illusion. Her music has also been featured in I'm Standing on a Million Lives. She is also known for her role as Tang Keke in the mixed-media project Love Live! Superstar!!. She is nicknamed Li-chan by her fellow Liella! members.

Liyuu
Born (1997-01-09) 9 January 1997 (age 27)
Shanghai, China
GenresAnison
Occupation(s)Singer, cosplayer
Years active2020–present
LabelsLantis
Websiteliyuu0109.com

Biography

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Liyuu was born in Shanghai on 9 January 1997.[1] From an early age she developed an interest in anime, particularly after watching series such as Cardcaptor Sakura, Shugo Chara!, and Reborn!.[2] During her junior high school years, she watched the series K-On! and gained an interest in the character Yui Hirasawa.[2][3] While researching about anime, she discovered the practice of cosplay, which immediately interested her. Upon entering high school, she began engaging in cosplay activities, with Yui as her first character. At first, she experienced difficulties in preparing for cosplay as her school prohibited the use of make-up, leaving her with little experience in applying it to herself.[2] She then began participating in various cosplay events in China, before attending her first overseas event, appearing at Winter Comiket in Tokyo in 2016.[2][3] Her activities would gain her a following in Japan, eventually leading to her having over 1 million followers on social media.[2][3]

Liyuu's interest in pursuing a career as a musician began in junior high school. Although she did not originally intended to become a singer, she developed an interest in anime music and would sing such songs in private. In high school, she published a number of songs on the Chinese video sharing website Bilibili.[2] In 2018, she became affiliated with the talent agency HoriPro International.[2] The following year, she sang the song "Polaris", which was used as an image song for the character Siren in the mobile game Dragalia Lost.[2] In 2020, she made her major debut as a singer under Lantis with the release of her first single "Magic Words";[2][3] the title song is used as the opening theme of the anime television series Hatena Illusion.[4] Her second single "Carpe Diem" (カルペ・ディエム, Karupe Diemu) was released on 25 November 2020;[5] the title song is used as the closing theme of the anime television series I'm Standing on a Million Lives.[6] In December 2020, it was announced that she will be playing the role of Keke Tang in the multimedia project Love Live! Superstar!!.[7] She held her first solo concert in Yokohama on February 11, 2022.[8] Later that year, she released the single "True Fool Love", the title song of which was used as the opening theme to the anime television series More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers.[9]

In May 2023, Liyuu modeled for Baby, The Stars Shine Bright for the brand's first fragrance.[10]

Personal life

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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Liyuu lived in Shanghai, visiting Japan at least once a month for cosplay and artist activities.[3]

Filmography

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Anime television

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2021
2022
2024

TV series

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2024

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
JPN
Billboard
Fo (u) r YuU
  • Release date: February 9, 2022
  • Label: Lantis
15
Soaring Heart
  • Release date: February 7, 2024
  • Label: Lantis
17
Title Peak Oricon position[5]
Magic Words
  • Release date: January 22, 2020
44
Carpe Diem (カルペ・ディエム, Karupe Diemu)
  • Release date: November 25, 2020
60
TRUE FOOL LOVE
  • Release date: November 2, 2022
7
bloomin'
  • Release date: September 30, 2023
14

References

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  1. ^ "BIOGRAPHY| Liyuu" (in Japanese). Horipro. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "ム › インタビュー › コスプレイヤー › 記事 コスプレイヤーから歌手デビュー。Liyuuはいかに夢をつかんだのか?【インタビュー】". Anime! Anime! (in Japanese). 22 March 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Liyuu(リーユウ)インタビュー 上海コスプレイヤーがアーティストになるまで" (in Japanese). Kai-You Inc. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Hatena Illusion Anime's Staff, Cast, Theme Song Artists Announced". Anime News Network. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Liyuuの作品" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  6. ^ "I'm Standing on a Million Lives Anime's 2nd Video Unveils More Cast, Ending Song Artist, October 2 Debut". Anime News Network. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Love Live! Superstar!! Anime Reveals 5 Cast Members". Anime News Network. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  8. ^ "上海出身コスプレイヤーLiyuu、初のソロコンサートでファンに感謝「楽しかったなぁ」" (in Japanese). Oricon. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  9. ^ Mateo, Alex (1 August 2022). "More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers Anime Reveals Cast, Theme Songs, October Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  10. ^ "BABY初の香水「Baby Princess」が登場!イメージモデルはLiyuuちゃんが担当♡5月2日より海外版も販売開始!". Harajuku Pop! (in Japanese). 1 May 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Live-Action Sugar Dog Life Series Reveals 3 New Cast Members, Ending Song". Anime News Network. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
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