Long-time anime song performer Sayuri announced on her X account today that she has to take an indefinite hiatus due to functional dysphonia, a condition that causes her vocal cords to involuntary sound strained due to increased muscle tension in the voice box. Sayuri wrote on X that she“need[s] to concentrate on rehabilitation to get better, so I have decided to take a break from singing for a while.”
Sayuri is best known for performing the ending theme songs “Tower of Flower” for Lycoris Recoil, “About a Voyage” for My Hero Academia season 4, “Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna” for Erased and many more.
Statement Translation:
“For some time now, I have been having trouble with my voice, finding it difficult to produce the sounds I want. I went to see a doctor, who diagnosed me with functional dysphonia.
My voice shakes, goes flat, and gets hoarse. My muscles move against my will and I find it difficult to sing. I need to concentrate on rehabilitation to get better, so I have decided to take a break from singing for a while.
There was a part of me that was hesitant to make the announcement, as I didn’t want to cause unnecessary worry,
but I thought that I should be honest with everyone who has always supported me, so I’m sharing my current situation with you all.
I’m so frustrated that I can’t sing.
Having used my voice to express myself and interact with the world, I feel like I’ve been cut off from various things and experiences, so while I’m frustrated, I’m also positive about my recovery.
I’m currently undergoing rehabilitation with the help of a speech therapist and a voice trainer. I know it will take some time before I can resume singing, but I hope you’ll be patient with me.”
After singing on the streets of Japan from a teenager, Sayuri first major single debut in 2015 was “Mikazuki,” which was used as the ending theme song for Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace. Since then she has worked with RADWIMPS on a single in 2016 and My First Story in 2018 for “Reimei,” which was the second opening theme song for Golden Kamuy. She has performed at Tokyo Dome City, Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo in the United States, AnimagiC2019 in Germany and many more. There has been no announcement of a return date.
Source: Sayuri on X (formally Twitter)
