Kalafina Post-Kajiura thread (Upd: Kalafina will appear: KYOMAF MUSIC LIVE 2026)

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Speaking of Kalafina backgrounds, I used this photo for my laptop from around 2021 to 2024.

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I did ultimately decide to change it and it’s stayed that way since . . . But guess who’s still on the background 😆

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Yes, if you want the entire story (until the next movie next month), you need to watch the original series and Rebellion (or the three movies, film 1 and 2 are recaps of the series with sometimes a better animation)
 
  1. 2011 TV series
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica

    which was turned into two compilation movies in 2012 as
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings / Hajimari no Monogatari
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal / Eien no Monogatari
    (updated animation; re-recorded dialogue; lost the opening dream sequence which I believe most fans thought was a terrible idea; features more original music so it does not repeat like in the TV show although fans lamented some changes as abandoning established themes in favor of new music;)

    which in 2025 were turned back into an episodic TV series as
    Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Hajimari no Monogatari / Eien no Monogatari [TV Edition]
    (restored dream sequence at the beginning and episodic mostly like the original, except the first 2 episodes of the original TV series are now just a single episode1;)

    Frankly I think the 2025 TV edition could be a good way to (re)watch - for the full experience start with the first two episodes of 2011 TV series and then switch to 2025 TV edition episode2 (which was the original's 3rd episode). edit: Actually nevermind, I don't think there's a version of this without dimmed lighting on flashy scenes, unless some fans went in and re-created it on their own from the bluray movies. Just watch the og. XD
  2. 2013 movie
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion / Hangyaku no Monogatari

    whether you want to consider it a sequel to the TV story or just the movies as a separate continuity is up to you;
  3. 2026 movie
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie - Walpurgisnacht: Rising / Walpurgis no Kaiten

There's also the 4 minute Concept Movie from 2015 but I don't know how it fits in. ;p

do as you wish. The loss of the dream sequence in the compilation movies is definitely a bummer.

edit:
changed "improved" animation to "updated" animation...
 
Last edited:
grunty said:
  1. 2011 TV series
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica

    which was turned into two compilation movies in 2012 as
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings / Hajimari no Monogatari
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal / Eien no Monogatari
    (improved animation; re-recorded dialogue; lost the opening dream sequence which I believe most fans thought was a terrible idea; features more original music so it does not repeat like in the TV show although fans lamented some changes as abandoning established themes in favor of new music;)

    which in 2025 were turned back into an episodic TV series as
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica Hajimari no Monogatari / Eien no Monogatari [TV Edition]
    (restored dream sequence at the beginning and episodic mostly like the original, except the first 2 episodes of the original TV series are now just a single episode1;)

    Frankly I think the 2025 TV edition could be a good way to (re)watch - for the full experience start with the first two episodes of 2011 TV series and then switch to 2025 TV edition episode2 (which was the original's 3rd episode).
  2. 2013 movie
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion / Hangyaku no Monogatari

    whether you want to consider it a sequel to the TV story or just the movies as a separate continuity is up to you;
  3. 2026 movie
    Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie - Walpurgisnacht: Rising / Walpurgis no Kaiten

There's also the 4 minute Concept Movie from 2015 but I don't know how it fits in. ;p

do as you wish. The loss of the dream sequence in the compilation movies is definitely a bummer.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
https://canta-per-me.net/yuki-kajiura/interviews/kalafina-record-solo-interview-wakana/

I just read this interview and it was very interesting to me, in understanding Wakana's individually and as part of Kalafina. I must admit it was somewhat moving and felt a bit like a therapy session more than an interview for her (great skills from the interviewer, by the way). So much to mention but some things stood out to me.

" I took voice training together with Yuu-chan (Yuuka Nanri). Yuu-chan is an amazing singer, she is able to produce a reliable sound and because she had been doing classical music more than anything else her voice is beautiful. That was a culture shock. Because we took voice training together I began to understand many of my own weaknesses."
"But again I got another culture shock. Kaori was still only a high school student but because she was also a model she was not only cute but tall as well. My own high school years weren’t so bright (laughs). Having never seen such a shining high school student like Kaori before I thought to myself ‘Wow, Tokyo is amazing!’"
- She made efforts to develop when became very aware of what she needed to improve in, vocally and performance-wise, while interacting with others.

" I’m not thinking about that Kalafina might end someday, on top of the fact that each one of us might someday search for our own path… for myself I think that I might probably finally be able to find my own music when I’m about 35-40 years old. What I mean by my own music is not music that I like but rather music that I am able to make on my own that is able to show my own type of charm. I think the time when I am able to understand what that is on my own is much, much further on."
- This seems quite prescient in terms of the age range for her solo career - what she learned from Kalafina (and working with Kajiura) she's used to launch out on her own, but also that she's been influenced by many things and has had to find who she is musically. Would we say Classic Ghibli-style music is really her forte? Her music?

"All the things I learnt while doing classical and gospel music I was able to use for Kalafina. At first I had thought, ‘The songs are being made in order to match our voices’ but because I gradually came to think that ‘We have to have the necessary elements in order to express Kajiura-san’s songs’, I thought that I was glad that I had done classical music. Because Keiko came from doing rock music and Hikaru from J-POP the both of them are very good at producing a feeling of rhythm and an honest atmosphere."
- Kajiura's music "demanded" the best from the ladies, using not just what they had already but also often taking them outside their regular comfort(able) zones.

"- Has your impression of Kajiura-san changed from the time you first met until now?
- Wakana: It hasn’t changed. The first time I met her was for ‘Fist of the North Star (The Legends of the True Savior)’ and since then it’s been five years. At that time, there was an event for Raoh-sama’s funeral where I had an opportunity to sing. I was totally nervous and I remember Kajiura-san saying ‘It’s still early, you know’ and replying ‘I’m sorry!’ I’m doing my best thinking that I definitely have to recover from that. I want her to say ‘Wakana-chan, you did a great a job today’ at a live one day. She has mildly said ‘Kalafina was great today’ but never while pointing anyone of us out by name. I have been praised for lives before. Like, ‘You looked really great out there today.’ I cried out aloud while saying ‘Thank you!’ Ah, it has happened (laughs)."

**********
Her history, ability to keep long-term friendships, interest in art and opera (Shiki), and her descriptions of Keiko and (especially) Hikaru were all endearing, as well as her tears at her temperamental challenges (constant nervousness) with doing live performances.

I hope she keeps finding the fun and enjoyment in performing for her fans and never quits singing.
 
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