is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi, featuring an uncredited chorus by cover group Plusonica, from their debut EP, The Book (2021). It was released as a single by Sony Music Entertainment Japan on September 1, 2020. Inspired by Tsubasa Yamaguchi's manga Blue Period and based on a story text Ao o Mikata ni, the song is described as "a cheering song that inspires listeners by immersing themselves in what they like and expressing what they see."
The music video was uploaded on December 1, and surpassed 100 million views on May 30, 2022. The English version, titled "Blue", was released on October 29, 2021. "Gunjō" was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) after surpassing 500 million streams in the country, the duo's second song after "Yoru ni Kakeru".
Live performances
Yoasobi performed "Gunjō" for the first time as a full group, including band members, and Plusonica on the YouTube channel The First Take, uploaded on February 26, 2021. After their second extended play The Book 2 announcement, Yoasobi appeared on Best Artist 2021, giving a televised debut performance of the song on November 17. They performed the song at the year-end television special 72nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on December 31. The show depicted Ikura standing on the escalator downstairs to perform on the stage, where Ayase, the band members, and the orchestra gathered there.
Usage in media
"Gunjō" was featured on Bourbon's Alfort Mini Chocolate advertisement in 2020. Additionally, it was also used as a theme of Dance One Project '21, a project that supports high school's dance club held by morning show Sukkiri, and accompanied the 94th High School Baseball Tournament entrance march. In January 2024, "Gunjō" was mashed up with Vaundy's "Hana Uranai", and fryer chime's sound, titled "Tirori Remix 2024" for McDonald's Japan's promotional video. The song appeared on the special promotional video for the live-action film adaption of Blue Period.
Track listing
Digital download and streaming – 4:08
Digital download and streaming (English version) "Blue" – 4:08
Credits and personnel
Song Ayase – songwriter, producer Ikura – vocals Alfort Creative Team – based story writer AssH – guitar Plusonica – chorus Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording Masahiko Fukui – mixing Hidekazu Sakai – mastering Nina Ai – artwork cover design
Music video Atsushi Makino – director Tōru Akamatsu – cinematographer Keigo Suzuki – lightning director Tomomi Kawano – art Toshirō Tabata – editor
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2020–2023) Peakposition Hong Kong (Billboard) 20 Japan Combined Singles (Oricon) 9 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 14
+Chart performance for "Blue" Chart (2021) Peakposition Japan Digital Singles (Oricon) 13
Year-end charts + 2020 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2020) Position Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) 91
+ 2021 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2021) Position Global Excl. U.S. (Billboard) 90 Japan Streaming (Oricon) 7 Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) 8
+ 2022 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2022) Position Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) 16
+ 2023 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2023) Position Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) 32
+ 2024 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2024) Position Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) 57
+ 2025 year-end chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2025) Position Japan Streaming Songs (Billboard Japan) 81
All-time charts + All-time chart performance for "Gunjō" Chart (2008–2022) Position Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) 16
Certifications
Release history + Release dates and formats for "Gunjō" Region Date Format Version Label Various September 1, 2020 Original (Japanese) Sony Japan October 29, 2021 English ("Blue")
Notes
References
External links Ao o Mikata ni on Bourbon official website English translation of Make Blue Your Ally