群青

At its core, "Gunjou" (Ultramarine) is a powerful ode to the agony and ecstasy of the creative process. It delves into the deeply relatable struggle of trying to turn a passion into a purpose. The song confronts the harsh reality that pursuing what you love is not merely a joyful endeavor; it is often accompanied by crippling anxiety, self-doubt, and the fear of inadequacy. It challenges the romanticized notion of the carefree artist, illustrating instead the painstaking effort required to hone one's craft.

The lyrical theme heavily revolves around authenticity and self-discovery. The protagonist begins as a transparent entity—someone blending into the monotonous background of everyday life. By choosing to open up about their true self and interests, they begin to paint their world in ultramarine, a color that represents raw, unfiltered expression. The song suggests that expressing one's true feelings takes immense courage, as it leaves the creator vulnerable.

Another central idea is the concept of perseverance through comparison and failure. The lyrics address the habit of comparing oneself to peers, which leads to feelings of worthlessness. However, the song's underlying message is one of profound empowerment: the countless ruined canvases and endless nights of practice are not signs of failure, but rather the forging of one's unique weapon. The ultimate meaning of "Gunjou" is that the pain of creation is a necessary crucible for finding one's authentic self and moving forward.

The narrative begins with the protagonist enduring monotonous, repetitive days, yawning through the early morning hours as the vibrant nightlife of Shibuya fades away. There is a lingering sense of emptiness and mundane acceptance, a feeling that life is just "boring" but "it is what it is." However, beneath this apathetic exterior, the protagonist harbors a hidden, authentic voice. The narrative urges them to let this true voice resonate, to stop pretending not to see it, and to paint their world exactly as they feel it using the colors they have chosen for themselves.

As they immerse themselves in this "blue world" of creation during the sleepy morning hours, they confront the terrifying reality of admitting what they truly love. Declaring passion is frightening, yet doing so makes them feel as though they have finally met their true selves. The journey, however, is fraught with frustration. The harder they reach out, the further their goals seem to slip away. They struggle daily, overwhelmed by feelings of pathetic inadequacy that bring them to tears. The narrative highlights that diving deeper into one's passion inevitably brings pain and suffering.

Despite this, the protagonist vows to keep moving forward on this chosen path. In the quiet of the night, rubbing tired eyes, they cling to their "blue vow." The story realistically acknowledges that pursuing what you love isn't always just "fun." Self-doubt constantly creeps in, questioning their actual capability. Yet, the narrative finds strength in repetition—no matter how many times they fail, no matter how many sheets of paper they fill, these accumulated efforts and past failures transform into a powerful weapon. They realize there is no point in looking around or comparing themselves to others, because their art is something only they can create.

In the climax, the protagonist accepts their lingering insecurities but embraces the unprecedented emotions and pain that come with facing their passion. They discover a small guiding light and resolve to dive in and enjoy the process, painting with colors only they can produce. Running through mornings and nights, they finally shed their former "transparent" self, emerging as an irreplaceable, authentic individual whose true voice now rings out loud and clear, choosing to keep moving forward in their own way.

"Gunjou" was released on September 1, 2020, as the fifth digital single by the Japanese super-duo YOASOBI, consisting of producer Ayase and vocalist ikura. The song was commissioned for a commercial campaign by the Japanese confectionery company Bourbon, specifically for their Alfort Mini Chocolate brand. To create the track, YOASOBI drew inspiration from the acclaimed manga Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi, a series that intimately explores the grueling realities of a high school student striving to enter a competitive art university.

Following YOASOBI's signature concept of turning novels into music, the song's direct inspiration was a short story titled Ao o Mikata ni (Make Blue Your Ally). Ayase wrote, composed, and arranged the track, carefully translating the manga's themes of artistic struggle into a sweeping electropop anthem.

A notable element in the song's creation is the inclusion of a choral section. The backing chorus features an uncredited performance by the vocal cover group PLUSONICA, an acoustic session group that vocalist ikura was a prominent member of. This addition gave the song a grand, communal feel, mirroring the shared struggles of aspiring artists. An English version of the song, titled "Blue", was later released on October 29, 2021, expanding the track's global reach.

The rhythm of "Gunjou" is an essential component of its storytelling. The track maintains a brisk, energetic tempo that evokes a sense of constant forward motion. In the verses, the lyrical rhythm is incredibly dense. The syllables are packed tightly into the meter, creating a syncopated, bouncing cadence that reflects the protagonist "frantically struggling" and feeling overwhelmed by their surroundings. This rapid-fire rhythm perfectly captures the anxiety of the creative grind.

The rhyme scheme is primarily free and conversational, prioritizing emotional directness over strict, predictable end-rhymes. However, Ayase employs internal rhymes and rhythmic assonance to create a percussive flow in the vocals. The shift from the breathless, complex meter of the verses to the expansive, four-square rhythm of the chorus allows the listener to "breathe," mirroring the emotional release of finally acknowledging one's true feelings and artistic calling.

Musically, "Gunjou" utilizes a striking contrast between its upbeat, pulsating electropop instrumental and its vulnerable, often painful lyrics. Ayase's production features driving, synthetic basslines and crisp percussion that mirror the frantic pace of Tokyo life and the anxious heartbeat of a struggling artist. The song makes exceptional use of a climactic key change, elevating the emotional intensity during the final chorus to deliver a cathartic release.

Vocally, ikura's delivery is highly dynamic. During the verses, she employs a fast-paced, almost spoken-word or rhythmic vocal style that mimics the racing, overthinking mind of the protagonist. This staccato delivery creates a sense of tension and breathlessness. In stark contrast, the choruses are sung with soaring, legato phrasing, representing the liberating feeling of letting one's true voice ring out.

A defining stylistic choice is the prominent use of the PLUSONICA chorus. The inclusion of a group choir singing unison backing vocals transforms the deeply personal, solitary struggle detailed in the lyrics into an anthemic, communal experience. Literarily, the lyrics rely heavily on rhetorical questioning and repetitive phrasing to emphasize the persistent nature of self-doubt and determination.

"Gunjou" has achieved monumental cultural success, becoming one of YOASOBI's most defining anthems. It resonated deeply with the Japanese public, particularly among students and young creators, cementing its status as an inspirational cheering song. Commercially, it was a massive hit, earning a Diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for surpassing 500 million streams.

The song's cultural footprint expanded significantly through its viral live performance. YOASOBI performed the song for the first time as a full group, including band members and PLUSONICA, on the renowned YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE, which was uploaded on February 26, 2021. Furthermore, the track became a staple in Japanese media; it was selected as the entrance march song for the prestigious National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament (Senbatsu) in 2022, underscoring its broad appeal as an anthem of youth and perseverance.

Internationally, "Gunjou" found incredible virality on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, where it was popularized and used in various video edits and internet memes, transcending language barriers through its raw emotional power.

The primary symbolism in the song lies in its title and central motif: Ultramarine (Gunjou). In the context of the lyrics and its Blue Period inspiration, the color blue represents the intimidating but exhilarating canvas of a young artist. Blue is often associated with youth and immaturity in Japanese culture, but here it also symbolizes the vast, deep, and raw inner world of the creator that is waiting to be expressed. The "blue vow" taken in the night signifies a pure, untainted commitment to one's art.

The lyrics heavily utilize the metaphor of "countless sheets" (nanmai demo). While literally referring to an artist discarding ruined sketches or drafts, metaphorically, it stands for the universal process of trial and error. These discarded sheets transform into a "weapon," symbolizing how failure and repetitive practice are the tools that ultimately forge competence and unique artistic power.

Furthermore, the imagery of being "transparent" (toumei) at the beginning of the song serves as a metaphor for a lack of identity or purpose. The protagonist feels invisible and empty in the monotonous city. By the end of the song, the shedding of this transparency to reveal "colors that only I can produce" brilliantly allegorizes the transition from a passive observer of life to an active, colorful creator of one's own destiny.

A deeply impactful recurring phrase in the song is the command to "let your true voice, unknowingly hidden, ring out" (Shirazu shirazu kakushiteta hontou no koe wo hibikasete yo). This line functions as the song's primary hook and emotional anchor. Its repetition acts as a continuous self-exhortation, reminding the protagonist (and the listener) not to suppress their authentic self, even when it is easier to ignore it.

Another critical motif is the repetition of "no matter how many sheets" (nanmai demo) and "no matter how many times" (nankai demo). This musical and lyrical loop brilliantly mimics the repetitive, often tedious act of practicing a craft. By repeating these phrases in an escalating vocal register, the song transforms the mundane act of failing and retrying into an empowering battle cry.

The motif of night transitioning to morning also repeats throughout the narrative. The song starts with yawning in the morning after a long night, progresses to rubbing heavy eyelids at night, and concludes with "running through both morning and night." This cyclical temporal motif underscores the all-consuming, 24/7 nature of creative passion.