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

by arsonal
Mar 12, 2018 11:30 PM | 39 Comments
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

20 of 39 Comments Recent Comments

Heartbreaking news. Someday, we will see the reunion once again in the near future.

Apr 24, 2020 11:33 PM by ApacheSnow69

Hm the millions of yen lost lol

Jan 17, 2020 4:42 AM by raftingtara

The main thing is not to disappear completely from the industry. Without their music I can't imagine the world of anime.

Jan 17, 2020 3:00 AM by Verdandy

Kalafina collaboration with Yuki Kajiura was literally a dream team at it finest.
Sadly, they disbanded :(

Jan 11, 2020 10:20 PM by ApacheSnow69

They're all talented women but Kajiura is the lifeline of the group. Without her everything falls apart.

Mar 14, 2019 4:30 PM by Skittles

Sad loss, but the band was dead without Yuki Kajiura anyway.

Mar 13, 2019 10:26 PM by Mormegil

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 7:14 PM by Estoy_Gordo

I guess it's really goodbye now. I hope you reunite again under Kajiura.

Mar 13, 2019 3:21 PM by Shadow-Chan

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/

Mar 13, 2019 6:34 AM by tsubasalover

Hikaru left the agency, too, recently.
https://lineblog.me/kalafina/archives/67149767.html

Nov 1, 2018 7:46 AM by tsubasalover

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

Kajiura <3

Apr 15, 2018 12:26 PM by hazecloud

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 14, 2018 4:44 PM by Shadow-Chan

Official announcement by Keiko for her leaving via Kalafina Line Blog
https://lineblog.me/kalafina/archives/67145201.html

Apr 13, 2018 12:44 AM by tsubasalover

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.

Mar 20, 2018 9:01 PM by gwendal738

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 16, 2018 4:31 AM by Playcool

I'm a fan for ten years and will continue to be a fan. Don't disband please ): Anime needs your great music.

Mar 14, 2018 4:39 PM by DeadIEnd

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 8:32 AM by Mich666

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 6:01 AM by Trollicia

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

Mar 14, 2018 4:50 AM by Tennouji

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 13, 2018 5:55 PM by Mich666

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