Reona Explained

Background:solo_singer
Reona
Birth Date:October 20, 1998
Birth Place:Kagoshima, Japan
Origin:Tokyo, Japan
Years Active:2018–present
Label:Sacra Music (2017–present)

Reona (pronounced as /ja/; stylized as ReoNa, born October 20, 1998)[1] is a Japanese singer who is signed to Sacra Music. Having been active as a cosplayer and independent musician, she made her major debut in 2018 as the singing voice of the character Elza Kanzaki in the anime series . Her first single under her own name was released in August 2018.

Early life

Reona was born in Kagoshima on October 20, 1998. She became interested in becoming a cosplayer during her elementary school years, as she had been recommended to become one by a classmate.[2] Her interest in cosplay was boosted after ordering a costume of the Vocaloid Hatsune Miku.[3] She became active as a cosplayer while in junior high school, and went under the names and ReoNa* while attending events such as Comiket 91 in 2016.[4] She had also dreamed of becoming a singer for anime, and had released covers of songs on YouTube.[3] [5]

Career

Reona had her break as a singer in 2017 when she became a finalist in an audition held by the music label Sacra Music.[6] She made her major debut as a singer the following year as the singing voice of the character Elza Kanzaki in the anime series . She released the song on April 15, 2018; the song topped iTunes Japan's anime singles chart as well as Amazon Japan's digital music rankings.[7] This was followed by the release of the digital singles "Step, Step" and "Independence".[7] She released the mini-album Elza on July 4, 2018; the mini-album peaked at No. 8 on Oricon's weekly charts.[8] Her first single under her own name, "Sweet Hurt", was released on August 29, 2018;[9] the title track is used as the ending theme to the anime series Happy Sugar Life.[10] Her second single "forget-me-not" was released digitally on January 13, 2019[11] and received a physical release on February 6, 2019; the title track is used as the second ending theme to the anime series Sword Art Online: Alicization, and the single also includes the song, which is used as the ending theme for episode 19 of anime series Sword Art Online: Alicization.[12]

Reona's feature single "Prologue" was released on June 26, 2019 under the Elza Kanzaki stage name.[13] Her third single "Null" was released on August 28, 2019.[14] She released her fourth single "Anima" digitally on July 13, 2020, and received a physical release on July 22, 2020; the title song is being used as the opening theme of television series anime Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld: Part 2 .[15] [16] Reona sang "Scar/let" as the opening for the video game Sword Art Online Alicization Lycoris, as well as appearing in the game as a playable character. On July 1, 2020 single "Untitled World" was released as part of promotion for "Episode 6: Partial Necrosis" update of the game Arknights.[17] She released her first album, Unknown, on October 7, 2020.[18]

Reona collaborated with Hiroyuki Sawano on the song "time"; the song was used as the ending theme to the anime series .[19] She released her fifth single "Nai Nai" on May 12, 2021; the title song was used as the ending theme to the first season of the anime series Shadows House.[20] Her sixth single "Shall We Dance?" was released on July 27, 2022; it was used as the opening theme of the second season of Shadows House.[21] Reona's single "Alive" was used as the opening theme for the anime Arknights: Prelude To Dawn.[22] Her song "VITA" was featured as the theme song in the video game Sword Art Online: Last Recollection.[23] She released her second studio album, Human, on March 8, 2023.[24] Her single "R.I.P" was used as the ending theme song for the anime Arknights: Perish in Frost.[25]

Influences

Artistic inspirations

Reona in a 2019 interview, talked about how her motivation comes from her dream at a young age to become a singer as she enjoyed singing and watching animated series.[26] She continued by highlighting that she cares about her fans and all her admirers who welcome and love her music and thanks her fans for making her dream come true.[27] In the same interview, Reona said she has multiple artists she admires making it difficult to choose only one as a role model.[28] She highlights ever since she was the voice singer for Elza Kanzaki, a character from the anime , she began to play the guitar.[29] Her Azalea guitar was inspired by Ed Sheeran's guitar since she had admired his guitar.[30] Reona also talks about the anime series Higurashi When They Cry which she had seen a lot of during her youth and was considered an anime with a dark tone.[31] She said the second season's opening song had the most impact on her music.[32]

Lyric style and themes

Reona said her use of dark emotions and strong lyrics comes from her encounters and reflects her emotions in a 2019 interview.[33] In scenarios with collaborations, she would do her best to find a balance between herself and the song.[34] She would then go on to talk about her emotions with her lyricists and ask them to add those emotions to her lyrics.[35] During a separate interview in 2022 with JRock News, Reona talked about her song "Numb" (written in entirely English).[36] She describes the theme of the song to revolve around self-dissatisfaction escalating to self-disgust reflecting how she feels both mentally and emotionally.[37]

Sword Art Online importance

Reona brought up in a 2021 interview that she was so thrilled to be the singing voice actor for the character Elza Kanzaki as it was the first time that she would sing in an anime and it was a moment that completely transformed her life.[38] She describes about how heartfelt it was to hear her voice among the characters in a fight scene.[39] In her 2019 interview, Reona credits her singing role for Elza Kanzaki as it allowed her to share her music with a wider audience.[40] Reona continued in her 2021 interview and described how she began to place herself in the world of Sword Art Online, making the ending theme song "forget-me-not" for and making the opening theme song "ANIMA" for Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld.[41] Reona continues about how for the 10th anniversary of the release of the SAO novel, she made the opening theme "Till the End" and when she watched the song in the music video, she was so close to having tears of joy.[42] She highlights she doesn't think she would be who she is today if she had never come across the Sword Art Online anime.[43]

Discography

As Elza Kanzaki

Mini-albums

As Reona

Albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
Album detailsPeak chart positions<--! scope="col" rowspan="2"Certifications-->
JPN Oricon
JPN Hot 100
Unknown
  • Released: October 7, 2020[50]
  • Label: Sacra Music
  • Format: CD, CD+BD, CD+BD+Photo Booklet
43[51]
Human
  • Released: March 8, 2023
  • Label: Sacra Music
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
76[52]

Mini-albums

Title! style="width:16em;" rowspan="2"
Album detailsPeak positions
JPN
JPN Hot 100
月姫 -A piece of blue glass moon- THEME SONG E.P. 521[53]
Naked
  • Released: May 11, 2022
  • Label: Sacra Music
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
6—

Singles

As lead artist
Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsNotes<--! scope="col" rowspan="2"Certifications-->Album
JPN Oricon
JPN Hot 100
[54]
"Sweet Hurt"20182682[55] Unknown
"Forget-me-not"20191535[56]
"Null"19—
"Anima"2020416[57]
2021946[58] Human
202211—
"Alive"5—
"R.I.P."20237—rowspan="2"
202411__
"—" denotes items which did not chart.

Digital singles

List of singles
TitleYearAlbum
"Ougon no Kagayaki"2020
"Till the End"[59] Unknown
"Untitled World"
"Scar/let (English version)"rowspan="2"
"Anima (josh pan Remix) - Sacra Beats Singles"2022
As featured artist
Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsNotes<--! scope="col" rowspan="2"Certifications-->Album
JPN OriconJPN Hot 100
"Time"
2021——IV
""
2022——
"—" denotes items which did not chart.

Awards and nominations

Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee(s)/work(s)Result
6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards2022Best Ending"Nai Nai"
[60]
7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards2023Best Anime Song"Shall We Dance?"[61]

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ja:SAO GGOの神崎エルザ歌手が判明！ 19歳の新人「ReoNa」が劇中歌アーティストに抜擢. http://kai-you.net/article/53128. Kai-You Inc.. August 2, 2018. Japanese. May 6, 2018. September 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230917174655/https://kai-you.net/article/53128. live.
  2. Web site: ja:ReoNaはコスプレ界のれおぺこ！？画像や楽曲もwiki調査！. 5 May 2018. https://marog01.com/reona-kanzaki-eruza-singer/. August 2, 2018. ja. July 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180711094947/https://marog01.com/reona-kanzaki-eruza-singer/. live.
  3. Web site: ja:1.48m級巨人の6年目コスプレイヤーReoNa*の超高校級コスプレ道と人生. https://www.ism.life/contents/119. August 2, 2018. Japanese. July 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180711095652/https://www.ism.life/contents/119. dead .
  4. Web site: ja:【写真】金髪JKコスプレイヤーReoNa* コミケで会った可愛い子 Vol.1. http://kai-you.net/article/36952. Kai-You Inc.. August 2, 2018. Japanese. December 29, 2016. April 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417105557/https://kai-you.net/article/36952. live.
  5. Web site: ReoNa's YouTube channel. YouTube. August 2, 2018. August 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230827201439/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGKZdgRlP__KOCgC58WeWA. live.
  6. Web site: Sacra Music Hosts Anisong Newcomer Showcase!. Tokyo Otaku Mode. August 2, 2018. July 27, 2018. April 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230416135952/https://otakumode.com/news/5b58237d460672db7b78d66f/Sacra-Music-Hosts-Anisong-Newcomer-Showcase!. live.
  7. Web site: ja:SAO GGOの神崎エルザ歌唱担当「ReoNa」が8月デビュー 『ハッピーシュガーライフ』ED曲に抜擢. http://kai-you.net/article/53636. Kai-You Inc.. August 2, 2018. Japanese. May 20, 2018. April 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230416135946/https://kai-you.net/article/53636. live.
  8. Web site: ELZA. Oricon. August 2, 2018. Japanese. October 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221014105130/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/1280339/1/. live.
  9. Web site: SWEET HURT. Oricon. Japanese. August 2, 2018. April 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417151347/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/1288348/1/. live.
  10. Web site: ReoNa Performs Ending Theme for Happy Sugar Life Anime. Anime News Network. August 2, 2018. May 20, 2018. April 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230408035716/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-05-20/reona-performs-ending-theme-for-happy-sugar-life-anime/.131778. live.
  11. Web site: forget-me-not - EP. iTunes. January 13, 2019. Japanese. December 21, 2016. January 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190113122455/https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/forget-me-not-ep/1447938409. live.
  12. Web site: ASCA, ReoNa Perform New Theme Songs for Sword Art Online: Alicization Anime. Anime News Network. December 8, 2018. December 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181209094436/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-08/asca-reona-perform-new-theme-songs-for-sword-art-online-alicization-anime/.140568. December 9, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  13. Web site: Prologue. Oricon. June 24, 2019. Japanese. June 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190624005816/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/1322674/1/. live.
  14. Web site: Null. Oricon. November 5, 2019. Japanese. April 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417104745/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/1327463/1/. live.
  15. Web site: ReoNA Sings Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Anime's New Opening. February 13, 2020. February 10, 2020. February 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200213130527/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-02-10/reona-sings-sword-art-online-alicization-war-of-underworld-anime-new-opening/.156278. live.
  16. Web site: ANIMA. Oricon. May 27, 2020. Japanese. September 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200909061934/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/1354806/1/. live.
  17. Web site: Arknights Animation Music Video – Untitled World. YouTube. July 1, 2020. September 30, 2023. March 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318091754/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBB0OoQlXy4. live.
  18. Web site: unknown by ReoNa. Oricon. September 17, 2020. Japanese. October 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201014061328/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/1366703/1/. live.
  19. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/406048. ja:「七つの大罪」新シリーズOPはポルノグラフィティ岡野昭仁、EDは澤野弘之×ReoNaが担当. Music Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. November 25, 2020. December 4, 2020. Japanese. December 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202135402/https://natalie.mu/music/news/406048. live.
  20. Web site: Shadows House Anime Unveils More Cast & Staff, Ending Song Artist, April 10 Debut, New Visual. Anime News Network. March 8, 2021. June 3, 2022. March 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210310062610/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-08/shadows-house-anime-unveils-more-cast-and-staff-ending-song-artist-april-10-debut-new-visual/.170373. live.
  21. Web site: https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/112880/2. ja:ReoNa、TVアニメ『シャドーハウス 2nd Season』のOPに新曲「シャル・ウィ・ダンス？」が決定 7/27にシングル発売. Billboard Japan. June 2, 2022. June 3, 2022. Japanese. June 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220603023526/https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/112880/2. live.
  22. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Arknights: Prelude to Dawn Anime's Promo Video Reveals ReoNa's Theme, October 28 Premiere. Anime News Network. January 15, 2024. September 24, 2022. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003205230/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-09-24/arknights-prelude-to-dawn-anime-promo-video-reveals-reona-theme-october-28-premiere/.190116. live.
  23. Web site: Luster. Joseph. Sword Art Online: Last Recollection Game Reveals Launch Date, ReoNa Theme Song Video. Crunchyroll. March 8, 2023. March 9, 2023. March 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230309221347/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2023/03/08/sword-art-online-last-recollection-game-reveals-launch-date-reona-theme-song-video. live.
  24. Web site: Komatsu. Mikikazu. Sword Art Online Theme Song Singer ReoNa Shares New Music Video "HUMAN". Crunchyroll. 21 February 2023. 11 March 2023. March 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311171405/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2023/02/21/sword-art-online-theme-song-singer-reona-shares-new-music-video-human. live.
  25. Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. Arknights: Perish in Frost Anime's Songs, October 6 Debut Revealed in Full Promo Video. Anime News Network. September 20, 2023. September 20, 2023. September 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230923005124/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-20/arknights-perish-in-frost-anime-songs-october-6-debut-revealed-in-full-promo-video/.202565. live.
  26. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  27. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  28. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  29. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  30. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  31. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  32. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  33. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  34. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  35. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  36. Web site: Dorian . NoMusicNoReason . 2022-12-12 . Exclusive: ReoNa outlines "Numb", a song fully sung in English . 2024-04-11 . JROCK NEWS.
  37. Web site: Dorian . NoMusicNoReason . 2022-12-12 . Exclusive: ReoNa outlines "Numb", a song fully sung in English . 2024-04-11 . JROCK NEWS.
  38. Web site: 2021-03-04 . zh:絶望系アニソンシンガー ReoNa インタビュー 「《SAO》との出会いがなければ今のReoNaはいない！」 - MeMeOn 迷迷音 . https://memeon-music.com/2021/03/04/reona-2/ . 2024-04-11 . zh-TW.
  39. Web site: 2021-03-04 . 絶望系アニソンシンガー ReoNa インタビュー 「《SAO》との出会いがなければ今のReoNaはいない！」 - MeMeOn 迷迷音 . 2024-04-11 . zh-TW.
  40. Web site: [C3AFASingapore2019][Interview] ReoNa – My Origins – JExperience ]. 2024-04-11.
  41. Web site: 2021-03-04 . zh:絶望系アニソンシンガー ReoNa インタビュー 「《SAO》との出会いがなければ今のReoNaはいない！」 - MeMeOn 迷迷音 . https://memeon-music.com/2021/03/04/reona-2/ . 2024-04-11 . zh-TW.
  42. Web site: 2021-03-04 . 絶望系アニソンシンガー ReoNa インタビュー 「《SAO》との出会いがなければ今のReoNaはいない！」 - MeMeOn 迷迷音 . 2024-04-11 . zh-TW.
  43. Web site: 2021-03-04 . zh:絶望系アニソンシンガー ReoNa インタビュー 「《SAO》との出会いがなければ今のReoNaはいない！」 - MeMeOn 迷迷音 . https://memeon-music.com/2021/03/04/reona-2/ . 2024-04-11 . zh-TW.
  44. Web site: https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=46989. ja:神崎エルザによる劇中歌配信スタート！. April 15, 2018. Aniplex. Japanese. August 2, 2018. March 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318122432/https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=46989. live.
  45. Web site: https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=47175. ja:神崎エルザ「step, step」配信開始！. April 29, 2018. Aniplex. Japanese. August 2, 2018. March 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318122432/https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=47175. live.
  46. Web site: https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=47228. ja:神崎エルザ「Independence」配信スタート！. Aniplex. Japanese. August 2, 2018. March 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318122432/https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=47228. live.
  47. Web site: https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=47715. ja:Rea(s)oN配信スタート！. June 30, 2018. Aniplex. Japanese. August 2, 2018. March 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318122432/https://gungale-online.net/news/?id=47715. live.
  48. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/. ja:ReoNaの作品. Oricon. August 1, 2018. Japanese. April 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230412133227/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/723020/products/. live.
  49. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums. Billboard Japan. July 11, 2018. May 10, 2021. ja. July 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180711185634/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2018&month=07&day=16. live.
  50. Web site: CD Japan listing. CD Japan. September 10, 2020. March 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210316150954/https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/VVCL-1749. live.
  51. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums. Billboard Japan. October 14, 2020. May 10, 2021. ja. December 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201226210300/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2020&month=10&day=19. live.
  52. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums. Billboard Japan. March 15, 2023. March 15, 2023. ja. March 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230315053155/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2023&month=03&day=20. live.
  53. Web site: Japan Billboard Hot 100. Billboard Japan. September 8, 2021. June 3, 2022. Japanese. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220703104315/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2021&month=09&day=13. live.
  54. Reona Chart History. Billboard. May 10, 2021. May 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210510184750/https://www.billboard.com/music/reona/chart-history. live.
  55. Web site: Japan Billboard Hot 100. Billboard Japan. September 12, 2018. September 13, 2018. Japanese. September 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180905214924/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2018&month=09&day=10. live.
  56. Web site: Japan Billboard Hot 100. Billboard Japan. February 15, 2019. February 19, 2019. Japanese. July 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190724032437/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2019&month=02&day=18. live.
  57. Web site: Japan Billboard Hot 100. Billboard Japan. August 2, 2020. August 7, 2020. Japanese. July 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200723052155/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2020&month=07&day=27. live.
  58. Japan Hot 100. Billboard. May 22, 2021. May 22, 2021. May 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522174128/https://www.billboard.com/charts/japan-hot-100/2021-05-22. live.
  59. Web site: Sword Art Online's 10th Anniversary Theme Song Performed by ReoNa. Moshi Moshi Nippon. July 22, 2019. July 3, 2022. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220703124822/https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/237088. live.
  60. Web site: Schneider. Michael. Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022 Nominations Include '86 Eighty-Six,' 'Jujutsu Kaisen,' 'Oddtaxi'. January 18, 2022. Variety. January 18, 2022. March 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220325045429/https://variety.com/2022/awards/news/crunchyroll-anime-awards-2022-nominations-1235155903/. live.
  61. Web site: 19 January 2023 . Meet the Nominees of the 2023 Anime Awards! [UPDATED] ]. 30 January 2024 . Crunchyroll.

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