Ryuchell

Some Lesser Known Facts About Ryuchell

• Ryuchell was a Japanese social media personality, model, singer, and activist, who also worked as an LGBTQ influencer. In 2023, she reportedly died after committing suicide at the age of 27.

• Ryuchell played a key role in influencing the genderless fashion subculture in Japan by embracing and promoting androgynous and colourful clothing styles. ^[5]The New York Times

• Ryuchell gained prominence as an influential LGBT figure in mainstream Japanese media through their frequent appearances on variety shows and active participation in LGBT-themed events in Japan. ^[6]Nippon TV

• As Ryuchell’s popularity grew, they also became the target of frequent negative harassment campaigns on Japanese social media. These campaigns mainly focused on criticizing their personal life and their non-conforming gender expression. ^[7]Nikkan Gendai

• In 2015, Ryuchell performed on stage in a production called ‘Arikanashika.’

• Ryuchell made appearances on many Japanese TV shows including Fuji TV’s game show ‘Peke Pon’ (2007) and TV series ‘Yasashii Hito Nara Tokeru Quiz Yasashii Ne’ (2015).

• In 2016, Ryuchell and Peco did a photoshoot for Numéro TOKYO and were featured in its fashion magazine.

• Ryuchell appeared in advertisements for many brands. In 2017, he was featured in an advertisement for Suisai skincare brand.

• In 2018, Ryuchell and Peco won the first ‘Best Wedding Award.’

  

• In 2018, Ryuchell released the Japanese song ‘Diversity Guys!.’

  

• In 2019, Ryuchell lent their voice as themself in the popular Japanese animated film ‘Crayon Shin-chan: Honeymoon Hurricane ~The Lost Hiroshi~.’

  

• On 25 August 2022, Ryuchell took to Instagram to announce a significant change in their identity within their marriage to Peco. They shared that they no longer identified as a husband, as they felt this identity had become burdensome. Instead, they expressed a desire to be seen as a “life partner” and “parent” to Peco and their son. Ryuchell and Peco’s agencies confirmed their divorce; however; initially they denied that the couple was living separately. ^[8]Hochi News

• In September 2022, Ryuchell and Peco did an interview with a Japanese magazine, where they openly discussed their marriage and Ryuchell’s sexual orientation. Ryuchell said,
  

  By falling in love with a woman, I was able to imagine a life that was completely different from what I had imagined, and I was taught joys that I didn’t know. And then I got married and had a son, and I started appearing on TV and getting everyone’s attention. At some point, I began to suffer from the difference between the “ideal man” and “ideal husband” that people imagined and the real me. When I got married, I decided to take the truth about my sexuality to the grave. I’m getting tired of it. I don’t have a place where I can express myself while sending out the message of living in my own way and valuing my feelings. I couldn’t show my true self at home, which was supposed to be the most comfortable place, and I thought I had to be the ideal husband, and it was really painful. But above all, I hate myself for thinking it’s hard. I wonder why I can’t win against my true self even though I have such happiness in front of me, and why I was born like this.” ^[9]Very

• After their divorce, Ryuchell became a strong advocate for the LGBT community and their rights. They made frequent appearances on Japanese talk shows to raise awareness and promote LGBT rights in Japan. Ryuchell also worked as an organizer for Tokyo Rainbow Pride events since 2018. ^[10]Nikkan Sports

• In the months leading up to their passing, Ryuchell began to present themselves as a female. ^[11]Yahoo! News

• Ryuchell also supported transgender individuals by holding the transgender flag and making supportive statements; however, they did not publicly disclose their own transgender identity.

• On 12 July 2023, Ryuchell’s manager discovered them unconscious at the office of a talent agency in the Sasazuka district of Shibuya, Tokyo. ^[12]The Mainichi Ryuchell was declared dead shortly after being found unconscious. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police alleged that Ryuchell committed suicide at the age of 27. ^[13]Nippon TV News ^[14]Nikkan Sports