The invention provides a luminescent-element material and a luminescent element using the same. The luminescent-element material comprises a pyrromethene compound represented by the general formula (1). The luminescent element having a high luminescent efficiency and excellent color purity can be obtained through the luminescent-element material. (R<1> to R<4> may be the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic group, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryl ether group, aryl thioether group, aryl, heteroaryl, halogeno, cyano, amino, silyl, and ring structure formed with an adjoining substituent; and Ar<1> to Ar<5> each represents aryl, provided that Ar<1> differs in structure with Ar<2> or Ar<3> differs in structure with Ar<4>).