is a female Japanese singer from Saitama Prefecture, who is mainly known for having performed several songs used in video games and anime.
She has performed theme songs for numerous animated works, including Higurashi When They Cry, Kenkà  Zenrakei Suieibu Umishà Â, Ayakashi, ', the Memories Off series, and Steins;Gate, among others.
She studied piano, and began writing lyrics and dancing since early childhood.
In 2004, she released her debut single, entitled "Kizuna", which was used as opening theme for the TV anime series W Wish. Her 2007 single, "Nageki no Mori", which was used as the opening theme of the PlayStation 2 game Higurashi: When They Cry â Matsuri and became her first Top 30 entry on the Oricon charts.
On August 6 2008, Ayane released her second album, Elephant Notes. The album featured fourteen tracks, all of which are theme songs or ending themes from anime and video games. To promote the album, Ayane held campaigns with mini concerts in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka starting late August 2008. A sold-out solo live concert followed on September 28, 2008, at FAB in Omotesando, Tokyo.
In 2009, Ayane celebrated the fifth anniversary of her debut. That year marked a significant milestone as she received recognition at the Bishà Âjo Game Awards, where her song "Lunatic Tears..."âÂÂthe opening theme for the PC game 11eyes: Tsumi to Batsu to Aganai no Shà Âjo-âÂÂwon the Gold Prize in the Theme Song category. In spring of the same year, she embarked on her first major live tour, titled Ayane Live Tour 2009, covering the three Japanese cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. While she had previously conducted promotional events in these locations, the tour featured her debut solo live performances in Nagoya and Osaka accompanied by a live band. Additionally, this year she was also invited to perform for the first time at the anime song festival Animelo Summer Live 2009, which took place on August 2 at the Saitama Super Arena.
On January 22, 2011, Ayane performed at the live event J-Pop in China 2011 held in Beijing, co-organized by the Japanese Embassy. She appeared alongside R&B singer Jay'ed, marking her first visit to China.
In 2012, Ayane released her single "Cry Out", her first collaboration with Japanese rock band .
In 2013, Ayane performed the opening theme song "Phenogram" for the video game ' released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This marked her first time contributing an opening theme to the Science Adventure series. She was subsequently appointed to also perform the opening theme for the Playstation Vita edition of the same game, entitled "Kaikà  no Fatalität", and then "Isumo Kono Basho de", which was used as ending theme for the theatrical film '. This year she also launched her first solo-hosted radio program, titled Ayane no Choco-Bana Radio, which began streaming on July 3, 2013, via HiBiKi Radio Station.
In January 2014, Ayane released her fourth studio album, Luminous Flux, marking her first album in approximately three years. To support the album, Ayane embarked on her two-venue tour Ayane Live Tour 2014: Luminous Flux, consisting of two performances: February 15 at Osaka Muse in Osaka, and March 22 at Shinjuku Blaze in Tokyo. On July 30, she released her double A-side titled "Headway! Buccaneers"/"Never Give Up", the first song serving as the opening theme for the pirate-themed game SÃ Âkai Buccaneers!, while the latter served as ending theme for Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2. On October 8, 2014, Ayane released her tenth anniversary commemorative album Base Ten, for which she included re-arranged versions of previous singles, self-covers, and anime covers. This year she was also invited to numerous international anime-related events, and performed live in Russia, the United States and Taiwan.
In 2015, Ayane collaborated for the first time with fellow singer Kanako Ito on the duet track "Ascension", which was released on March 4 as part of the soundtrack single for the complete edition visual novel Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Iki. She also released her single single "If", which continued her long-standing association with the Steins;Gate franchise., as the title track was selected as the original song for the Japanese slot machine Steins;Gate Kaiten Sekai no Inductance. The single's B-side featured the song "Mirai e no Resolve," which served as the ending theme for the Playstation 4 game Megadimension Neptunia VII.
In November 2016, her 23rd single "Soul Buster" was used as theme song of the Chinese-Japanese co-produced anime of the same name.
In 2019, she celebrated the 15th anniversary with the release of the EP for Dearest, whose leading song was used as theme song for the video game Memories Off: Innocent Fille, and also held her 15th anniversary concert Ayane 15th Anniversary Live -for Dearest- at Club Seata in Kichijoji, Tokyo.
In 2020, Ayane was appointed to perform the ending theme song for the Higurashi: When They Cry â Gou anime. She subsequently also performed the second ending theme of Gou, and the opening theme of the final season Higurashi: When They Cry â Sotsu in 2021.