The invention provides a colorant compound represented by the general formula (I) below. In the general formula (I), R1 and R2 represent independently from each other a species selected from at least one of an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group. R3 and R4 represent independently from each other a species selected from at least one of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocycle group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, an alkoxy group, an alkylsulfanyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a carboxylic acid ester group, a carboxylic acid thioester group, a carbamoyl group, a nitro group, and a halogen atom. R3 and R4 may optionally be bonded together to form an aromatic ring. Cy represents an aryl group having at least one anionic group.