To produce a water-based ink which holds an excellent coloring property and excellent light resistance and can give recorded products having excellent gas resistance and capable of being stored for a long period.

This water-based ink comprising at least a coloring material and water as a main solvent is chacterized by containing a dye represented by the general formula (I) (A and B are each a substituted phenyl or a substituted naphthyl) as the coloring material.