The present invention provides n aqueous ink composition comprising a coloring component, an acetylene glycol-based surfactant, water, and a urea derivative, wherein the coloring component is a dispersion substance in which a colorant is enclosed with a dispersing polymer thereby being rendered dispersible in water, wherein the dispersing polymer comprises a hydrophobic part and a hydrophilic part, wherein at least a part of the hydrophilic part is a neutralized group obtained by neutralizing an unneutralized group constituting a part of the hydrophilic part, and wherein the neutralized groups are present within an amount range of from 20% to less than 60% in terms of molar ratio based on the sum of the neutralized groups and the unneutralized groups.