Ryujin Kiyoshi
Japanese singer and songwriter (born 1989)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ryujin Kiyoshi (清 竜人, Kiyoshi Ryūjin; born 27 May 1989) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He debuted as a major label artist in 2009, with the single "Morning Sun" and is also known for writing Yui Horie's 2011 single "Immoralist". In 2023, his song "Haruka" was used as an opening theme for the anime Dr. Stone.
Ryujin Kiyoshi (清 竜人) | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 May 1989 |
| Origin | Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan |
| Genres | J-Pop, folk |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Label | EMI Music Japan |
| Website | kiyoshiryujin |
Life and career
Beginnings
Kiyoshi was born in 1989, and grew up in Osaka.[1] At 15 he began to write his own music, and in the summer of 2005 produced demo recordings, which he sent to many music record personnel, beginning his musical career.[1] In 2006, Kiyoshi competed at the Teens Rock high school band music competition and won the grand prize, which led to his appearance at the Rock in Japan Festival summer festival in 2006, as one of his prizes.[1]
Debut with Philosophy
In 2008, Kiyoshi released his first song commercially before being signed to a record label, with the song "Send" featured on the film Cyborg She's soundtrack.[1][2] He debuted officially in 2009 under EMI Music Japan with the song "Morning Sun," which was used in a commercial campaign for cellphone provider AU.[3] Kiyoshi released his debut album Philosophy later in the month.[1] The album was awarded a runner up award in the 2010 second CD Shop Awards.[4]
World and People
In 2010 Kiyoshi released his second album, World, led by the singles "Help Me Help Me Help Me" and "Itai yo."[1] After the release of the album, Kiyoshi held his first major tour across Japan.[1] In 2011, a song written by Kiyoshi, "Immortalist," was released by voice actress Yui Horie, and was used as the theme song for the animation Dragon Crisis!.[5] The song became a top 10 single on Oricon's singles chart.[6] Two months later, Kiyoshi released his third album, People.[1] In 2025, he contributed to the original soundtrack of the Netflix original series Glass Heart.[7]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album information | Chart positions [8] |
Total sales [9] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Philosophy
|
38 | 9,100 |
| 2010 | World
|
20 | 11,100 |
| 2011 | People
|
29 | 5,300 |
| 2012 | Music
|
37 |
Singles
| Release | Title | Notes | Chart positions | Oricon sales [9] |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon singles charts [8] |
Billboard Japan Hot 100 [10] |
RIAJ digital tracks [11] | |||||
| 2009 | "Morning Sun" | 43 | 5 | — | 3,800 | Philosophy | |
| "John L. Fly no Uso" (ジョン・L・フライの嘘, Jon Eru Furai no Uso; "The Lies of John L. Fly") | Digital single | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Help Me Help Me Help Me" (ヘルプミーヘルプミーヘルプミー, Herupu Mī Herupu Mī Herupu Mī) | 82 | 39 | — | 1,300 | World | ||
| 2010 | "Itai yo" (痛いよ; "It Hurts") | 55 | 17 | 49 | 2,500 | ||
| "Mademoiselle" (マドモアゼル, Madomoazeru) | Digital single | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Bokura wa Tsunagatteru n da na" (ぼくらはつながってるんだな; "'Cause We're All Connected") | 43 | 21 | — | 2,600 | People | ||
| "Please Repeat After Me" (プリーズリピートアフターミー, Purīzu Ripīto Afutā Mī) | 64 | 58 | — | 2,600 | |||
| 2011 | "Boy and Girl Love Song" (ボーイ・アンド・ガール・ラヴ・ソング, Boi ando Gāru Rabu Songu) | 48 | 53 | — | 2,400 | ||
| "Gakincho no Uta" (がきんちょのうた; "Little Brats Song") | Digital single | — | — | — | — | ||
Other charted songs
DVDs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Kiyoshi Ryujin MUSIC SHOW |
Music videos
| Director | Title |
|---|---|
| Alex Profit | Bokura wa Tsunagatterun da na |
| Ishii Yuuya | Homo sapiens wa Uta wo Utau |
| Ichimura Hayato | All My Life |
| Ootsubo Soujirou | Itai yo (LIVE@SHIBUYA-AX) |
| groovisions | Zipangu |
| Kurokawa Shizuka | Boy and Girl Love Song |
| Kojima Junji | Please Repeat After Me |
| Nakagawa Migiwa | Uso no Koi |
| Fujiyasu Hirohito | Help Me Help Me Help Me |
| Morimoto Mie | Itai yo |
| Unknown | Morning Sun |
Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 [1] |
Kiyoshi Ryujin | Teens Rock in Hitachinaka 2006 | Won |
| 2009 [12] |
"Morning Sun" | FM Festival "Life Music Award 2009" Best Voice of Life | Nominated |
| FM Festival "Life Music Award 2009" Best New Artist of Life | Nominated | ||
| 2010 [4][13] |
Philosophy | The Second CD Shop Awards | Silver |
| "Help Me Help Me Help Me" | Space Shower Music Video Awards 2010 Best New Artist Video | Nominated |
