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Kalafina Considers Disbandment Following Yuki Kajiura's Departure [Update 3/14]

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Mar 12, 2018 11:30 PM
#1

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Members of the vocal group Kalafina are considering splitting up, according to a report published Tuesday by the Sports Hochi newspaper. The report indicates that information on the group's future state comes from an interview the newspaper conducted with another music producer from Kalafina's management office, Space Craft Produce.

In December, the Sports Nippon newspaper reported that composer Yuki Kajiura would leave Space Craft Produce in February after 25 years of being affiliated with the office. According to the newspaper, Kajiura decided to leave after a dispute with a female executive over musical direction. That executive had replaced Kajiura's previous music producer during preparations for Kalafina's Nippon Budokan concert in September 2016.

According to Sports Nippon, the combination of Kajiura and Kalafina was expected to earn up to 2 billion yen for their activities in 2017. The departure of Kajiura and breakup of Kalafina would result in a significant revenue shortfall for the agency. Several officials have indicated that Kajiura will continue to work as an independent agent moving forward and has hired lawyers to discuss the rights to her music.

Kalafina has no future solo performances or CD releases scheduled at the moment, according to officials interviewed by Sports Hochi. Their weekly radio show Kalafina Kurabu is also scheduled to end its run at the end of the month after nearly eight years on the air. Members have reportedly been undecided on whether or not they will extend their contracts and remain with the agency.

Kalafina was originally formed as a two-person unit with members Wakana Ootaki and Keiko Kubota in 2008 to perform the theme song to the Kara no Kyoukai anime film series. The two were later joined by Hikaru Masai and Maya Toyoshima, but Maya left the group not long after joining. To date, they have released 21 CD singles and 11 CD albums, and dozens of their songs have been featured as anime theme songs or insert songs.

The group held its tenth anniversary concert at the Nippon Budokan on January 23. They also performed at the Songful Days joint concert with May'n and Minori Chihara on March 3. A film documenting the preparations for their tenth anniversary concert, titled Kalafina 10th Anniversary Film: Yume ga Tsumugu Kagayaki no Harmony, will open in theaters on March 30 for a limited two-week run.

Kalafina 10th Anniversary Film: Yume ga Tsumugu Kagayaki no Harmony Trailer


Source: Sports Hochi, Sports Nippon


Update 1 March 14
In a notice delivered to members of the Kalafina official fan club, Harmony, Space Craft Produce released a clarification statement regarding Japanese media reports of Kalafina's future activities.

The statement indicates that one member of the group has submitted her intention to leave Space Craft Produce, which the agency has accepted, while two members will continue their activities in the agency. It does not specifically indicate that the two remaining members will continue their activities as Kalafina.

Space Craft Produce is also working to ensure that fans will continue to be able to enjoy songs by composer Yuki Kajiura following her departure from the agency.

Source: Harmony official site (paywall)


Update 2 March 14
The Sports Hochi newspaper reported on Wednesday that Kalafina member Keiko Kubota will leave the Space Craft Produce agency at the end of March. Keiko, a bass singer who is one of the founding members of the vocal group, has reportedly been unhappy with the absence of composer Yuki Kajiura and thus decided to leave the agency.

Kalafina had been scheduled to release a new CD and begin touring in the fall, according to the report. Those plans have now been suspended. Space Craft Produce announced in a statement on Tuesday night that members Wakana Ootaki and Hikaru Masai will remain active and that plans are being made which will allow fans to continue to enjoy the group's music.

In late December, a trademark application was filed by an individual named Keiko Kubota for rights to the name Kalafina as it applies to music performances and recordings. The application was gazetted on January 16 by the Japan Patent Office, and objecting parties can file an opposition within two months of that date. Attorneys Sumiko Shimosaka and Yuusuke Uchikoshi are indicated as legal representatives of the applicant.

Source: Sports Hochi
arsonalMar 13, 2018 1:05 PM
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Mar 12, 2018 11:32 PM
#2

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Wow this sucks. They should just hook up with Kajiura and continue doing their thing.

I bet that female executive must be real proud about the millions of yen lost lol.

I don't watch as much anime as before...
Mar 12, 2018 11:41 PM
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Infatuate said:
They should just hook up with Kajiura and continue doing their thing.
This is the exact same thought that I have, though I've been alerted ever since the news of Kajiura-sensei leaving the agency, which I know it would be affecting Kalafina's activity.
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Mar 12, 2018 11:57 PM
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tsubasalover said:
Infatuate said:
They should just hook up with Kajiura and continue doing their thing.
This is the exact same thought that I have, though I've been alerted ever since the news of Kajiura-sensei leaving the agency, which I know it would be affecting Kalafina's activity.


Totally agree! Kalafina has to live on with Kajiura-sensei.
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Mar 13, 2018 12:35 AM
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Man, I've been updated with their news for a while, but this all doesn't look good and it sucks.
Since there has been no official announcements nor comments from the members (in the topic of Kalafina) for their future, we keep on having to rely on these ambiguous articles that can't tell the story in any detail; at the same time, their news keeps on being pretty accurate.
I hope they officially announce something a bit more concrete in the movie they release at the end of the month as they are also making a stage-appearance at a theater once as well.
Interesting things are happening such as "Keiko (one of the members)" having the rights over the title "Kalafina", thus, as long as she's there, the name Kalafina can be technically used.
However, with a member possibly leaving and if such is true, i'm kind of losing hope.
JapaneseAmericanMar 13, 2018 12:44 AM
Mar 13, 2018 1:02 AM
#6

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It would be extremely sad, but without Kajiura it wouldn't be the same.

I will join those hoping they are able to "hook up with Kajiura and continue doing their thing". They've got enough of a name to be able to operate independently.
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Mar 13, 2018 3:40 AM
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This sucks man :((
Mar 13, 2018 5:04 AM
#8
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Noooooo, who the hell allowed this?
Mar 13, 2018 6:45 AM
#9

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Kinda sad news that we won't get any theme songs by them anymore.

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Mar 13, 2018 8:14 AM

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News Update
In a notice delivered to members of the Kalafina official fan club, Harmony, Space Craft Produce released a clarification statement regarding Japanese media reports of Kalafina's future activities.

The statement indicates that one member of the group has submitted her intention to leave Space Craft Produce, which the agency has accepted, while two members will continue their activities in the agency. It does not specifically indicate that the two remaining members will continue their activities as Kalafina.

Space Craft Produce is also working to ensure that fans will continue to be able to enjoy songs by composer Yuki Kajiura following her departure from the agency.

Source: Harmony official site (paywall)
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Mar 13, 2018 8:32 AM

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Oh no :(
I really liked Kalafina :(

Mar 13, 2018 8:42 AM

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This really sucks! SpaceCraft just lost two of their biggest assets in Anime Music industry. Tho I wonder who will leave this spring. It might be Keiko or Hikaru but damn, I can't imagine Kalafina without a 3-part harmony T___T
Mar 13, 2018 10:45 AM
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I really like Kalafina so it sucks that this happened!
Kajiura has always been the heart of the group so something like this was expected.
It sure would be nice if they join Kajiura tho ;;

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Mar 13, 2018 11:06 AM
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The reaction from some fans kind of reminds me of Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue movie.
Mar 13, 2018 11:07 AM

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eh I don't know who theyre but they seem nice.
Yeah right there is no way a doujin about vomit exists.
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Mar 13, 2018 11:58 AM

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sad news
but all of their songs really sounds the same anyway..
Mar 13, 2018 1:06 PM

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News Update
The Sports Hochi newspaper reported on Wednesday that Kalafina member Keiko Kubota will leave the Space Craft Produce agency at the end of March. Keiko, a bass singer who is one of the founding members of the vocal group, has reportedly been unhappy with the absence of composer Yuki Kajiura and thus decided to leave the agency.

Kalafina had been scheduled to release a new CD and begin touring in the fall, according to the report. Those plans have now been suspended. Space Craft Produce announced in a statement on Tuesday night that members Wakana Ootaki and Hikaru Masai will remain active and that plans are being made which will allow fans to continue to enjoy the group's music.

In late December, a trademark application was filed by an individual named Keiko Kubota for rights to the name Kalafina as it applies to music performances and recordings. The application was gazetted on January 16 by the Japan Patent Office, and objecting parties can file an opposition within two months of that date. Attorneys Sumiko Shimosaka and Yuusuke Uchikoshi are indicated as legal representatives of the applicant.

Source: Sports Hochi
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Mar 13, 2018 2:17 PM

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Don't do this to me..
Mar 13, 2018 4:18 PM

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Very sad news. I'm gonna missing their beautiful sound

Mar 13, 2018 4:40 PM
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Please no. This breaks my heart. I just can't if Kajiura and Kalafina not together.
Mar 13, 2018 5:55 PM

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I dunno. The best thing the remaining the members could do is to leave too and join again as three (four with Kajiura) under the different name and agency. I bet fans would be even more supportive of them then.
Mar 14, 2018 4:50 AM

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Holy shit no more new songs of them in the future...


Mar 14, 2018 6:01 AM

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I've been listening to their songs for years and to see this news is so sad honestly. Although a few of their songs do sound exactly the same, they were still great. :'c
Mar 14, 2018 8:32 AM

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Hmm, I wonder if this could be all just a plan how to leave the company which they weren't satified with from a start?
1. January: Keiko gets rights to Kalafina name (the company didn't own it then which is weird. But hell, it's Japan)
2. February: Kajiura leaves the company.
3. March: Keiko leaves the company with Kalafina brand.
.
.
.
4. Later this year they announce forming Kalafina again under new studio (which payed them more or had better terms, whatever.
5. Everyone is happy.
6. Profit?
Mar 14, 2018 4:39 PM

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I'm a fan for ten years and will continue to be a fan. Don't disband please ): Anime needs your great music.
Mar 16, 2018 4:31 AM
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Infatuate said:
Wow this sucks. They should just hook up with Kajiura and continue doing their thing.

I bet that female executive must be real proud about the millions of yen lost lol.


I m off the same opinion, I think Kalafina works with Kajura composing and them performing and clearly that Kubota girl agrees... it honestly sucks if they would work eachother again in the future, as they have produced some of the best anime music content IMO, immediatly coming to mind, Magia's ED from Madoka's, To the Beggining's ED2 from Fate Zero and last but not least, and my personal favorite from them, Sprinter ending theme from Kara no Kyoukai 5th movie!

I kinda want to see that female executive receiving some harsh punishment, as it clearly seems to be, Kajura was about quality and the executive about money, this is afterall how it usually goes. :(
Mar 20, 2018 9:01 PM
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Why is this happening to my most favorite band ever? ToT To me, Kalafina is always a sign of a great anime. I've always been such a fan of their music and their ability to just... create new worlds with their sound. UGH. This is SUCH a loss to the Japanese music industry. I hope that female manager/executive/whoever the hell she is is fired ten times over!!!

And seriously hope that they just go and do their own thing and BE Kalafina with some other company- or on their own. The world needs their music, dammit!

Geez... I've been listening to them literally since 2007 too, though I first encountered Yuki Kajiura in Tsubasa Chronicle and that's how I came to love her music. UUUUGH. ANOTHER PART OF MY CHILDHOOD IS LOST.
gwendal738Mar 20, 2018 9:04 PM




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Apr 13, 2018 12:44 AM

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Official announcement by Keiko for her leaving via Kalafina Line Blog
https://lineblog.me/kalafina/archives/67145201.html
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Apr 14, 2018 4:44 PM
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tsubasalover said:
Official announcement by Keiko for her leaving via Kalafina Line Blog
https://lineblog.me/kalafina/archives/67145201.html

Sad to see her leaving. I personally loved Kalafina for her voice and Kajiura music.
Apr 15, 2018 12:26 PM

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Greed overrides talent and fan base's love. Horsing around creative people will not end up well. Just my 2 cent.

Kajiura <3
Nov 1, 2018 7:46 AM

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Hikaru left the agency, too, recently.
https://lineblog.me/kalafina/archives/67149767.html
tsubasaloverNov 1, 2018 9:24 PM
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Mar 13, 2019 6:34 AM

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Official disbandment announcement via agency (official reasons: members leaving and no activity as of Kalafina, so hard to resume activity)
https://natalie.mu/music/news/323776

Personal Statements regarding to the announcement by Kajiura, Keiko and Hikaru
http://fictionjunction.com/kalafina20190314/
tsubasaloverMar 14, 2019 11:22 PM
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Mar 13, 2019 3:21 PM
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I guess it's really goodbye now. I hope you reunite again under Kajiura.
Mar 13, 2019 7:14 PM

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Damn...downer news. That female exec should have known better than to piss off their golden goose that makes them money...probably tried to force feed to make frois gois instead of the usual golden eggs. This should be a lesson to all bosses and people above some else within companies...listen to your people, and don't piss them off or else they'll simply just quit and leave.

Sort of feels like watching the breakup of Top Gear all over again. Maybe they can do something similar as the former Top Gear guys did with Amazon/The Grand Tour...ditch the agency and reform the group, this time under their own terms.
Mar 13, 2019 10:26 PM

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Sad loss, but the band was dead without Yuki Kajiura anyway.
Mar 14, 2019 4:30 PM

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They're all talented women but Kajiura is the lifeline of the group. Without her everything falls apart.
Jan 11, 2020 10:20 PM
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Kalafina collaboration with Yuki Kajiura was literally a dream team at it finest.
Sadly, they disbanded :(
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Jan 17, 2020 3:00 AM

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The main thing is not to disappear completely from the industry. Without their music I can't imagine the world of anime.
May be some anime?
Jan 17, 2020 4:42 AM
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Hm the millions of yen lost lol
raftingtaraMay 29, 2020 4:43 AM
Apr 24, 2020 11:33 PM
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Heartbreaking news. Someday, we will see the reunion once again in the near future.
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