Trimethine-type cyanine dyes having benzindolenine and pyrazinimidazole rings at the ends; light absorbers containing the dyes; optical recording media; and a process for producing the dyes via either the step of reacting a benzindolium compound having a leaving group with a pyrazinimidazolium compound having an active methyl group or the step of reacting a benzindolium compound having an active methyl group with a pyrazinimidazolium having a leaving group.
