Horie Yui was born on September 20, 1976 in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan. Her r… Read Full Bio ↴Horie Yui was born on September 20, 1976 in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan. Her real name is Horie Yoshiko (堀江由子), and she is affectionately referred to "Hocchan" by most of her fans. She is currently one of the most popular and prolific voice actresses (seiyuu) in the industry.

The role of popular heroine Multi the android in the Playstation version and anime adaptation of the classic bishoujo game To Heart helped launch a good start for Horie. The biggest turning point in her career was her role as the heroine Narusegawa Naru in the 2000 anime adaptation of the popular Akamatsu Ken manga series Love Hina.

Following the release of her first single, 「my best friend」 in 1998, she now has 19 singles, 10 studio albums and 2 BEST albums credited solely to her name. In addition, she is often associated with character and insert songs from the various anime projects she gets involved in, most recently of which are the opening and ending songs for the anime series 「Ｇｏｌｄｅｎ　Ｔｉｍｅ」. Her songs are described to be generally "bright" and "cheerful" although some tracks have traces of melancholy as well.

ヒカリ
堀江由衣 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

祈り続けていいですか
信じ続けていいですか
絶望の森に射し込む光よ

冷たい大地を爪先で蹴って
梳きたての髪ほどき月夜に舞う
怯えた瞳と孤独は捨てよう
強がりだけがいつも友達だった日

彼方に(彼方に)置いてゆく
救いはそこにありますか
深い闇を癒せますか
ぬくもりを求めていてもいいですか
誰よりも強くなりたい
愛しきものを守りたい
私を照らし続ける光よ

棘(いばら)の鳥籠
漆黒の帳(とばり)
引き裂けば降り注ぐ
黄金の灯(ひ)よ
運命はいつも書き換えてゆける
真っすぐなまなざしが
あなたを探して
飛び立つ(飛び立つ)風になる
彷徨い続けたこころは
ここにいてもいいのですか
伸ばした指で触れててもいいですか
強く求めていいですか
愛を求めていいですか
絶望の森に射し込む光よ

祈り続けていいですか
信じ続けていいですか
あなただけがいま私の真実よ
誰よりも強くなりたい

愛しきひとを守りたい
私を照らし続ける光を

Overall Meaning

The song "ヒカリ" by Yui Horie explores the theme of hope and perseverance in the face of despair. The lyrics describe a person who is lost and alone in a dark and desolate forest, seeking a glimmer of light to guide them out of their misery. They wonder if it's okay to continue praying and believing in something greater than themselves, to keep searching for warmth and love in a world that can often feel cold and unforgiving. Despite their fears and doubts, the singer resolves to let go of their past traumas and anxieties and embrace their inner strength, determined to protect and cherish what matters most to them.

Throughout the song, the imagery of light plays a prominent role, serving as a symbol of hope and guidance. The singer yearns for the light to pierce through the darkness and illuminate their path forward. The metaphor of the thorn-covered birdcage represents the feelings of being trapped and constrained by one's own insecurities and fears. The line "destiny can always be rewritten" suggests that one's fate is not set in stone and that we hold the power to shape our own lives through our choices and actions. Ultimately, the song encourages us to never give up hope and to keep striving towards the light.

Line by Line Meaning

祈り続けていいですか
Is it okay to keep praying?

信じ続けていいですか
Is it okay to keep believing?

絶望の森に射し込む光よ
Oh light shining through the forest of despair

冷たい大地を爪先で蹴って
Kicking the cold ground with my toes

梳きたての髪ほどき月夜に舞う
Untangling freshly combed hair and dancing in the moonlight

怯えた瞳と孤独は捨てよう
Throw away the scared eyes and loneliness

強がりだけがいつも友達だった日
The days when only pretending to be strong were my friend

彼方に(彼方に)置いてゆく
Leaving them behind in the distance

救いはそこにありますか
Is there salvation there?

深い闇を癒せますか
Can you heal the deep darkness?

ぬくもりを求めていてもいいですか
Is it okay to seek warmth?