A colorant for plastic containing a halogenated phthalocyanine pigment (A) that satisfies conditions (1) to (4) below: (1) the average number of halogen substitutions is at least 2.0 but not more than 7.0, (2) the halogen distribution width is at least 5, (3) the amount of aluminum phthalocyanine and halogenated aluminum phthalocyanine is not more than 1.0% by mass, and (4) the central element is at least one element selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc, nickel and copper. As a result, a colorant for plastic can be shown that can color a resin without changing the mechanical or chemical properties of the resin, and in particular can produce a plastic molded article having essentially no migration, extremely low discoloration due to heat, and no deformation such as warping and distortion.

The present invention provides: an electrophotographic photosensitive member which reduces image defects due to ghosting not only under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment but also even under a low temperature and low humidity environment; and a novel phthalocyanine crystal. The electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention comprises a photosensitive layer which comprises a phthalocyanine crystal in which a N,N-dimethylformamide is contained. The content of the N,N-dimethylformamide is 0.1% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less based on the phthalocyanine crystal.

The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a high heat-resistant phthalocyanine. The phthalocyanine is separated by mixing a phthalocyanine separation solvent and a phthalocyanine solution wherein a phthalocyanine starting material is dissolved in a solvent. The phthalocyanine is wherein having high heat resistance, the decomposition temperature of the separated phthalocyanine being at least 10 C. higher than the decomposition temperature of the phthalocyanine starting material. Also, the phthalocyanine solution may be the result of dissolving at least two types of phthalocyanine starting material in the solvent, the separated phthalocyanine being wherein containing a solid solvent of the at least two types of phthalocyanine starting material and by the decomposition temperature of the separated phthalocyanine being at least 10 C. higher than the decomposition temperature of a mixture of at least two types of phthalocyanine separated by mixing the phthalocyanine separation solvent and each of at least two types of phthalocyanine solution resulting from dissolving each of the at least two types of phthalocyanine starting material in a solvent.