Yuki Kajiura LIVE vol.#22 ~precious pieces~ July 4 - Aug 23 2026 & Asia Tour (Oct 31-Nov 27)
- Thread starter Kugayama
- Start date
Nguyen Trong
I like Yuki
Lancer and assassin took me out. <3
Aihara is a goddess. Utabito should be recurring guests xd.
MATERIALISE..... ughhhhhh I'm gonna cry
Aihara is a goddess. Utabito should be recurring guests xd.
MATERIALISE..... ughhhhhh I'm gonna cry
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grunty
I have reached Yuki nirvana
So literally nothing was announced with this airing? Not a bluray, not an album, no nothing?
Audio on the bili upload sucks on that first one. The two more recent uploads have better audio so please use others than BV1DU436pEhL.
Still hope a TS appears...
PS. I didn't care that much for the soloist from Utabito after first listen.
Oh they called the Rayearth theme "ray of earth", not on JASRAC, so guess those were not final titles or there's more tracks. Seems it's the lower key guitarz version, not the one with flute from events. Not much of a live track IMHO.
lol kaori and emiko getting heated in from the edge.
Yea... I don't particularly care for this soloist from Utabito after first listen... but there's moments I like so here's hoping for the future. Also hope for the next time, they all get enough time to sing from memory.
Audio on the bili upload sucks on that first one. The two more recent uploads have better audio so please use others than BV1DU436pEhL.
Still hope a TS appears...
PS. I didn't care that much for the soloist from Utabito after first listen.
Oh they called the Rayearth theme "ray of earth", not on JASRAC, so guess those were not final titles or there's more tracks. Seems it's the lower key guitarz version, not the one with flute from events. Not much of a live track IMHO.
lol kaori and emiko getting heated in from the edge.
Yea... I don't particularly care for this soloist from Utabito after first listen... but there's moments I like so here's hoping for the future. Also hope for the next time, they all get enough time to sing from memory.
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toshiroukajiura
I adore Yuki
The live was amazing. As a musician, composer and in a band, they did soooooo well. Thanks for inspiring me more and more Kajiura-san.
Might drop my thoughts later.
Might drop my thoughts later.
george1234
Moderator
i cant find anything by searching with the live's title
grunty
I have reached Yuki nirvana
BV1L6436fE9q
BV1Rk4364EcL
The audio on these two seems okay. The one that was uploaded before these was unfortunately horrible.
Kudos to uploaders.
Sucks that a .ts wasn't posted (at least not that I could find now) when there's no bluray announced... (Maybe they will release a bundle after ykl23... or maybe a triple threat with ykl17...) If there's any consolation for me on not having it in the best quality, is that I didn't particularly enjoy this recording very much.
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george1234
Moderator
thanks! Its weird cause i literary tried the same words at the titles of those you menthioned on bili but i the search only returned older lives.
grunty
I have reached Yuki nirvana
Kay, some shit from me, hopefully a little more positive than the impressions I was giving before:
There's some stuff to like here, but the entire recording feels kind of bland; maybe coming off the heat of ykl21 Iunno, or maybe I was not in the mood today. I thought the chorus using scores for choirs was fine, but doing solos the same way threw me off soooo... in future performances, I hope that's changed...
- silent moon was cute, just not my favorite song
- Crush flute was great, but I never found this an enjoyable live track
- lancer and assassin, I liked the soloist high note at the end of the first solo, but like I said before I'm not yet sold on the singer - with that said it's an improvement on Remi for me; don't think it was ever my favorite track though;
- ray of earth, other than the ending bit, it's a nothing burger; I prefer the flute version of this theme, but it's still not much of a track particularly for a live;
- hikidashide, I love the song (fav of 2025 releases) but for some reason I'm not sold on it during lives (same thing happened in ykl21);
- lighthouse, I know it may be an unpopular opinion but I really like the song (og and live); LL not squeezing her voice out like in ykl17 is so inspiring to see/hear; still don't care for Kaori butting in;
- circus, love; LL doing lower harmonies in lives is always great for some reason; Joelle's color works great in these choruses;
- aikoi, love, but I still wish they used a song they haven't peformed recently;
- madlax x2, always love;
- akatsuki no kuruma, love having the live cello during 2nd verse and I think they could've featured it even more prominently instead of violin, but I heard this song too many times anyways XD
- Kanata, perfectly fine;
- walpurgisnacht bgm; meh; loved it in the first PV, I don't yet have an opinion on the movie version, but this live has no untz and is a playback stringfest; so that's a meh from me; some color in the lights at least;
- Numquam vincar, never particularly cared for this in lives and I still don't, but Konno was doing some funny things solo and I gots to listen to the studio version or previous lives to check if it was always like this, lol;
- black rose, great but also ykl21 feels like it was just yesterday; at least the lights were doing something in this song; guitar felt different which was nice; Konno's earpiece hanging for its life, lol;
- from the edge, I feel it's a nice fit for Kaori & Emiko but not sure if they needed to put that much grit in some places, maybe that's my personal take; I'm glad they are performing this (and that they recorded it); Emiko doing the ending bit was much better than Joelle for me;
- MATERIALISE, again... the vocals are no Yuri Kasahara so it will take some getting used to, but I'm also not sold on the live instrumentation compared to the og untz;
- zodiacal sign, skipped but then I remembered about the trumpet; it was okay; the only saving grace of this overplayed staple;
- LORD, perfectly fine, great it's with choir; weird choice for the ending of the main setlist; PS: Han Hong's improv is still playing in my head during the instrumental bridge, lol;
- Parade, perfectly fine;
- stone cold, perfectly fine; that pre-solo guitar was weird, lol;
- heigen, I got bored to be honest;
- Crush flute was great, but I never found this an enjoyable live track
- lancer and assassin, I liked the soloist high note at the end of the first solo, but like I said before I'm not yet sold on the singer - with that said it's an improvement on Remi for me; don't think it was ever my favorite track though;
- ray of earth, other than the ending bit, it's a nothing burger; I prefer the flute version of this theme, but it's still not much of a track particularly for a live;
- hikidashide, I love the song (fav of 2025 releases) but for some reason I'm not sold on it during lives (same thing happened in ykl21);
- lighthouse, I know it may be an unpopular opinion but I really like the song (og and live); LL not squeezing her voice out like in ykl17 is so inspiring to see/hear; still don't care for Kaori butting in;
- circus, love; LL doing lower harmonies in lives is always great for some reason; Joelle's color works great in these choruses;
- aikoi, love, but I still wish they used a song they haven't peformed recently;
- madlax x2, always love;
- akatsuki no kuruma, love having the live cello during 2nd verse and I think they could've featured it even more prominently instead of violin, but I heard this song too many times anyways XD
- Kanata, perfectly fine;
- walpurgisnacht bgm; meh; loved it in the first PV, I don't yet have an opinion on the movie version, but this live has no untz and is a playback stringfest; so that's a meh from me; some color in the lights at least;
- Numquam vincar, never particularly cared for this in lives and I still don't, but Konno was doing some funny things solo and I gots to listen to the studio version or previous lives to check if it was always like this, lol;
- black rose, great but also ykl21 feels like it was just yesterday; at least the lights were doing something in this song; guitar felt different which was nice; Konno's earpiece hanging for its life, lol;
- from the edge, I feel it's a nice fit for Kaori & Emiko but not sure if they needed to put that much grit in some places, maybe that's my personal take; I'm glad they are performing this (and that they recorded it); Emiko doing the ending bit was much better than Joelle for me;
- MATERIALISE, again... the vocals are no Yuri Kasahara so it will take some getting used to, but I'm also not sold on the live instrumentation compared to the og untz;
- zodiacal sign, skipped but then I remembered about the trumpet; it was okay; the only saving grace of this overplayed staple;
- LORD, perfectly fine, great it's with choir; weird choice for the ending of the main setlist; PS: Han Hong's improv is still playing in my head during the instrumental bridge, lol;
- Parade, perfectly fine;
- stone cold, perfectly fine; that pre-solo guitar was weird, lol;
- heigen, I got bored to be honest;
There's some stuff to like here, but the entire recording feels kind of bland; maybe coming off the heat of ykl21 Iunno, or maybe I was not in the mood today. I thought the chorus using scores for choirs was fine, but doing solos the same way threw me off soooo... in future performances, I hope that's changed...
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george1234
Moderator
- Yuuka still looks (except few wrinkles) sounds and acts same as she did back in vol#4 <3
- In circus and aikoi i still hear Yuriko or Nishina instead of Joelle - LL who supposedly do the chorus, so maybe these have playback chorus ?
- I liked Eleonore not sure if we got in on video before ?
- I still miss the accoustic guitar from Akatsuki. They need to get a guitarist just for this or Korenaga bring his own.
- The Madoka Welpurgis BGM is cool, too bad the OST ver isnt like this (unlike the trailer) but Yuriko's vocals are way in the background.
- Badass black rose intro :D I still love the song.
- From the Edge with KAORI - EMIKO is pretty interesting as it doesnt have LiSA's screams, it sounds really good, and little bit darker too.
- The Utabito Samadi Soprano Satomi Aihara is very good, maybe she should join Kajiura's soprano team as a soloist too, love the touch with the tenor singing part of MATERIALISE too.
- Skipping Zodical for now, im tired of it, going to LORD theme (LMAO they typed "L.O.A.D" instead on the title)
- Joelle has been sidelined to chorus provider for this live and probably the LORD theme and Parade at the only songs she gets to be main vocals. I like her performance on the LORD theme, but i don't like Parade as melody (boring) even if it has beautiful lyrics.
- Also skipping stone cold for same reason as Zodical.
- Heigen: The do have the finish guy vocals as playback. Vocals of girls sound good.
- In circus and aikoi i still hear Yuriko or Nishina instead of Joelle - LL who supposedly do the chorus, so maybe these have playback chorus ?
- I liked Eleonore not sure if we got in on video before ?
- I still miss the accoustic guitar from Akatsuki. They need to get a guitarist just for this or Korenaga bring his own.
- The Madoka Welpurgis BGM is cool, too bad the OST ver isnt like this (unlike the trailer) but Yuriko's vocals are way in the background.
- Badass black rose intro :D I still love the song.
- From the Edge with KAORI - EMIKO is pretty interesting as it doesnt have LiSA's screams, it sounds really good, and little bit darker too.
- The Utabito Samadi Soprano Satomi Aihara is very good, maybe she should join Kajiura's soprano team as a soloist too, love the touch with the tenor singing part of MATERIALISE too.
- Skipping Zodical for now, im tired of it, going to LORD theme (LMAO they typed "L.O.A.D" instead on the title)
- Joelle has been sidelined to chorus provider for this live and probably the LORD theme and Parade at the only songs she gets to be main vocals. I like her performance on the LORD theme, but i don't like Parade as melody (boring) even if it has beautiful lyrics.
- Also skipping stone cold for same reason as Zodical.
- Heigen: The do have the finish guy vocals as playback. Vocals of girls sound good.
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*begin rant*
I'll be honest. I did not like the addition of the chorus. They didn't add much when they were present, they stole focus (especially the soprano, Aihara, who had MORE FUCKING SOLOS THAN YURIKO) and heigen was a big flop because it's my favourite YK song of all time and it was butchered by having a male chorus (they really sounded out of place) and they didn't even sing the studio male parts live...when they had a tenor right there.
Aihara is a great singer. She would've been a great guest. She didn't need to be just "on chorus". Can you tell I'm salty about this because Yuriko exists and is right THERE? Like, you don't need a soprano on chorus when the main FictionJunction vocal lineup has FOUR SOPRANOS already.
*rant over*
I love that Yuuka is back. Madlax is love, madlax is life Aikoi was great as usual, but it felt a tad low energy for my liking and I preferred the 2014 live for the Yuuka songs.
The whole concert was really low energy until Black Rose. Thank god for Emiko here who finally brought some life back to it. For most of the concert before Black Rose, it honestly felt like watching an orchestra perform live (aka really boring).
I'm not a fan of the direction of YKL lives recently, because as much as I still love YK's music, I'm also here to watch FictionJunction perform too, and it feels like we're focusing more and more on YK's music rather than FictionJunction the band.
I'll be honest. I did not like the addition of the chorus. They didn't add much when they were present, they stole focus (especially the soprano, Aihara, who had MORE FUCKING SOLOS THAN YURIKO) and heigen was a big flop because it's my favourite YK song of all time and it was butchered by having a male chorus (they really sounded out of place) and they didn't even sing the studio male parts live...when they had a tenor right there.
Aihara is a great singer. She would've been a great guest. She didn't need to be just "on chorus". Can you tell I'm salty about this because Yuriko exists and is right THERE? Like, you don't need a soprano on chorus when the main FictionJunction vocal lineup has FOUR SOPRANOS already.
*rant over*
I love that Yuuka is back. Madlax is love, madlax is life Aikoi was great as usual, but it felt a tad low energy for my liking and I preferred the 2014 live for the Yuuka songs.
The whole concert was really low energy until Black Rose. Thank god for Emiko here who finally brought some life back to it. For most of the concert before Black Rose, it honestly felt like watching an orchestra perform live (aka really boring).
I'm not a fan of the direction of YKL lives recently, because as much as I still love YK's music, I'm also here to watch FictionJunction perform too, and it feels like we're focusing more and more on YK's music rather than FictionJunction the band.
george1234
Moderator
^ Well its Yuki Kajiura live not FictionJuction the Band live, and the band doesnt have much songs so this kind of mixing is to be expected. Do you want them to perform only the album exclusive songs ? And what if they give the soprano parts to Aihara because the FJ ladies have issues performing these parts ? There is a reason why we didnt get Materialise on video until now for the 18 years Kajiura is doing her lives. I prefer this setup over more drama of the kind "X singer cant sing" or having the vocals on playback *cough*Wakana*cought*.
The setlist is here https://canta-per-me.net/live-events/2026-yk22-6
They did:
FJ Songs: silent moon, Hikidashite, lighthouse, kanata, black rose, from the edge (actually cover of LISA's) , Parade, Stone cold (8 tracks)
FJY songs: silent moon, circus, aikoi, akatsuki, (4 tracks)
Kajiura bgms: Crush, Rayearth Theme, Elenore, Madlax Mix, Welpurgis M6, Numquam Vincar, Materialise, Zodical Sign. LORD Theme, heigen (10 tracks)
The setlist is here https://canta-per-me.net/live-events/2026-yk22-6
They did:
FJ Songs: silent moon, Hikidashite, lighthouse, kanata, black rose, from the edge (actually cover of LISA's) , Parade, Stone cold (8 tracks)
FJY songs: silent moon, circus, aikoi, akatsuki, (4 tracks)
Kajiura bgms: Crush, Rayearth Theme, Elenore, Madlax Mix, Welpurgis M6, Numquam Vincar, Materialise, Zodical Sign. LORD Theme, heigen (10 tracks)
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CloisteredFlame
I will reach Yuki nirvana
CloisteredFlame
I will reach Yuki nirvana
Thanks for the heads up.
>Do you want them to perform only the album exclusive songs ?
I have never said that. Please do not try and put words in my mouth.
Having a chrous in studio versions has never previously stopped Kajiura from doing them live without backtrack or a chrous. Certainly not during her earlier live days when the goal was never to "emulate the studio version in a live setting". It was simply to perform those songs in a live setting, and rearrange the score to work with fewer vocalists and different instruments. "Capturing those same emotions" was the goal, not a perfect recreation.
The highest note in Materialise is a C6. Any competent soprano (for which Joelle and Yuriko certainly are) should be able to hit this note with minimal to no issues. The C6 isn't even a sustained note either.
You could make the argument for Materialise, but what about Lancer and Assassin? Which Yuriko has performed many times in the past with no issues whatsoever?
I'm personally just not a fan of the direction YK lives are going. I like Yuriko and want to hear more of her, sue me.
george1234
Moderator
^ I see, Nothing we can do about it though. I like Yuriko too but like Keiko she is mostly doing backing vocals n chorus. Im begging for years to see Gensou Rakuen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmQvRIyz4AI from noir performed by her but we never get to have it so far. No cover of Shinkai no Kodoku either, which i love.
Perhaps you could message Kajiura about it on her site's message board or on twitter ?
Maybe the reason the always release the lives where they have choir n guest vocalists is to advertise that watching it will be rich experience as opposed to just the girls doing the vocals (see vol#1 reprise) ? Btw the other tour dates didnt have choir it was just the FJ singers and Yuuka.
Perhaps you could message Kajiura about it on her site's message board or on twitter ?
Maybe the reason the always release the lives where they have choir n guest vocalists is to advertise that watching it will be rich experience as opposed to just the girls doing the vocals (see vol#1 reprise) ? Btw the other tour dates didnt have choir it was just the FJ singers and Yuuka.
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CloisteredFlame
I will reach Yuki nirvana
Haven't watched it yet but any vote for Emiko I'm always here for.
She's a significant plus to FJ and brings a unique skillset and performance capacity that enhances what is already available.
CloisteredFlame
I will reach Yuki nirvana
My track-by-track review (there are timestamps for each song in the comments of the version I saw - BV1L6436fE9q):
Silent moon - I was grinning almost throughout and so delighted at hearing this first FJ live acappella song. Yuuka was a solid lead with her gentle but firm/piercing voice. LINO LEIA did well taking some straight-tone high notes. Everyone did very well in all the parts of the arrangements. A labor of love that I appreciated. Acappealla ain't easy. The tones were well blended too. Crunchy cord at the end topped it up!
Crush - Never heard it before (a soundtrack piece, yeah?). Nice to see Akagi center-stage again.
lancer and assassin - Never heard it too. Moody melody. Seeing LINO LEIA standing in the center is surprising and a welcome change. I see Samadhi doing chorus work to give a fuller weight to the song. Aihara's a proper classical soprano with a full classical voice, like a mini-Kasahara (she was also smiling every time the camera came to her). She was essentially filling in for REMI's original lead. It was a bit odd but she was perfect vocally for the role.
ray of earth - It's a bright melody and made smile when it started. Kajiura looked pleased with it. Another nice crunchy cord at the end.
MC 1 - Everyone was a bit muted for the vocal introductions with Joelle on one end being sweet (almost identical to her YKL21 greeting), and Emiko on the other end joyfully soaking in the solo male cheer for her. Moriyama, the Samdhi alto, had such a surprisingly warm low voice.
! Serisawa (the tenor) had a sweet tone, and the bass (Masashi) was under the earth! 
Hikidashite - After the kajiurago bridge, Kaori did a variation on the belted long note with a little melisma. Surprising and Sweet! Also, Yuiko and Joelle looking at each other at the end kajiurago was choreo, so nice.
lighthouse - Moving along smoothly. There was an emphasis on a line that she didn't have before, and the little looks between LL and Emiko, Kaori and Emiko, all choreo were nice to see. Emiko felt much more integrated into the FJ machine at this point.
circus - Yuuka looked lovely on the upper stage. Having LL be her low harmony was nice, with Joelle bringing in high notes and some counter-kajiurago (supporting by some playback/effects). Love how her voice sounds even more mature/fuller though still the same every other way. The LL/Joelle kajiurago face-off was cool.
aikoi - OG showing how it's done! Loved her cute dance near the end.
MC 2 - Kajiura talking and Yuuka saying "yes" and "right".
Elenore - One of my faves from the first time I was introduced to her via YouTube recommends after Kalafina. Yuuka and Yuriko's vibratos go so well together, and Joelle added in the mix fit so well. The held cello note at the end too!
MADLAX Mix - A surprisingly heavy chorus unlike anytime this song has been performed with 4 strong voices. Yuuka+Kaori+Joelle was nice with Joelle on the low notes.
akatsuki no Kuruma - Alternative intro. I was randonly imagining Emiko dancing backstage.
Kaori doing her low harmony was nice (instead of Yuriko or Hikaru). I also noticed that Kaori was way back like behind Kajiura directly giving Yuuka the entirety of the front stage.
MC 3 - LINO LEIA's current "precious piece" is the Hunter x Hunter book she's reading! Emiko's was a movie (didn't get the name). Kaori also seems to be an old manga. Yuriko's is a movie too. Joelle is a book, "The Giving Tree", she said it in English.
Kanata - As epic as the FIRST TAKE version but with the FBM
Walpurgis no Kaiten (M06) - This was super dramatic at the start. Yuriko's short solo was nice. She didn't go super vibrato-y with it. Kept it straight and dense. The reverb added to the second time was cool too.
Numquam vincar - Oh, straight up soundtracks in the live. I can only recall this from KajiFes.
black rose - I was so used to the intro track for YKL21 leading to the song, that I forgot it was another instrumental piece. Emiko started subtly mysterious. I like the subtle resonance changes she made to some notes in her first solo. In the pre-chorus leading up the chorus, she did that putting her hair behind her ear again almost in a knowing way like she was harking back to the YKL21 time. Her skipping around and holding hands with her co-vocalists in turn (except Kaori) was so sweet. This was an improved vocal performance by Emiko.
from the edge - Kaori came in with power on the "kana shimini". I was taken aback and stopped to go back! She had to soften it immediately after almost like she gathered herself back together. The chorus was the power version from two heavier voices compared to LiSA's and Keiko's. I had actually been imagining LiSA coming back to take this song with Emiko as her low-voice partner (now I think it could be Kaori in a softer tone). Emiko taking verse 2 (!) Wow! Her timbre and smooth but forward tone gave it a whole different feel (I like this). The weight and heft gave it more gravitas (or a different kind from LiSA's). I was thinking just before the end, 'was Joelle going to take the vocalization?', then I heard Emiko and giggled. Then went back to watch it... PERFECTION - the right amount of twang and the run down was in place. She did it her own way instead of going dramatic like Keiko did (also did it all internally with a still face)!
MATERIALISE (LIVE ver.) - Yeah, it's a proper operatic singer needed for this song since it was a power vocal (for opera) from Yuri Kasahara. No complaints with Aihara on this since she did her job. Staying at that projection level in that range while maintaining the consistent tone throughout was an operatic endeavour.
zodiacal sign - Samadhi on the zodiacal chant....? New things are happening every YKL it seems. Hearing the deeper male voices in the mix was a bit disconcerting at first. I think there were too many voices so it wasn't as smooth-sounding as usual. Having the cellist break out the trumpet was - a decision - but I feel he didn't have the required improvisational or melodic bandwidth to make a memorable solo (same issue I had with him at Kalafina's 2025 reunion concert, where he had to add a replacement solo for Akagi's iconic flute). I stand to be corrected but he's had two tries to introduce a new element to a crowd-favorite song and I'm sorry but I didn't really care for what he came up with. I've heard Revo's trumpeters and tin flutist bring up really melodic solos (maybe composed ones, I don't know) and Snarky Puppy brass section guys create very good fast solos too (they're jazz guys though), so... Junior's bass walkdown on the bass/drum section was also unexpected but cool.
MC 4 - Recount of the past songs, a little praise for Emiko (who took a bow), and precious pieces of Samadhi.
The main theme of L.O.R.D ["L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties] - Joelle piercing with her stationary vocal dynamics (not able to move around) and cutting eyes. The chorus with Samadhi was heavier than usual and quite welcome. I am actually curious about hearing the alto sing by herself in the future.
PARADE - Already a classic. That intro is always lovely. It's Kajiura's love letter to the continuation of her music-making journey. I will always listen to it including because I'm pretty sure it's special to her.
stone cold - Always a favorite of mine. Kaori always goes out all for this song. I really want to hear her sing with Revo again.
MC 5－Lots of thanks and reiterating her philosophy of each person receiving a unique perception of any song performed at a concert.
heigen - From the imperfect live translate I gathered that the intro vocalization from the original was an ethnic aboriginal vocalization, so I took it as Kajiura honoring it by just playing it, sort of like a collaboration with him (his spirit or that of wherever the vocalization came from). Parts of the melody and rhythm of this song sounds like E.G.O.
Silent moon - I was grinning almost throughout and so delighted at hearing this first FJ live acappella song. Yuuka was a solid lead with her gentle but firm/piercing voice. LINO LEIA did well taking some straight-tone high notes. Everyone did very well in all the parts of the arrangements. A labor of love that I appreciated. Acappealla ain't easy. The tones were well blended too. Crunchy cord at the end topped it up!
Crush - Never heard it before (a soundtrack piece, yeah?). Nice to see Akagi center-stage again.
lancer and assassin - Never heard it too. Moody melody. Seeing LINO LEIA standing in the center is surprising and a welcome change. I see Samadhi doing chorus work to give a fuller weight to the song. Aihara's a proper classical soprano with a full classical voice, like a mini-Kasahara (she was also smiling every time the camera came to her). She was essentially filling in for REMI's original lead. It was a bit odd but she was perfect vocally for the role.
ray of earth - It's a bright melody and made smile when it started. Kajiura looked pleased with it. Another nice crunchy cord at the end.
MC 1 - Everyone was a bit muted for the vocal introductions with Joelle on one end being sweet (almost identical to her YKL21 greeting), and Emiko on the other end joyfully soaking in the solo male cheer for her. Moriyama, the Samdhi alto, had such a surprisingly warm low voice.
! Serisawa (the tenor) had a sweet tone, and the bass (Masashi) was under the earth! Hikidashite - After the kajiurago bridge, Kaori did a variation on the belted long note with a little melisma. Surprising and Sweet! Also, Yuiko and Joelle looking at each other at the end kajiurago was choreo, so nice.
lighthouse - Moving along smoothly. There was an emphasis on a line that she didn't have before, and the little looks between LL and Emiko, Kaori and Emiko, all choreo were nice to see. Emiko felt much more integrated into the FJ machine at this point.
circus - Yuuka looked lovely on the upper stage. Having LL be her low harmony was nice, with Joelle bringing in high notes and some counter-kajiurago (supporting by some playback/effects). Love how her voice sounds even more mature/fuller though still the same every other way. The LL/Joelle kajiurago face-off was cool.
aikoi - OG showing how it's done! Loved her cute dance near the end.
MC 2 - Kajiura talking and Yuuka saying "yes" and "right".
Elenore - One of my faves from the first time I was introduced to her via YouTube recommends after Kalafina. Yuuka and Yuriko's vibratos go so well together, and Joelle added in the mix fit so well. The held cello note at the end too!
MADLAX Mix - A surprisingly heavy chorus unlike anytime this song has been performed with 4 strong voices. Yuuka+Kaori+Joelle was nice with Joelle on the low notes.
akatsuki no Kuruma - Alternative intro. I was randonly imagining Emiko dancing backstage.
Kaori doing her low harmony was nice (instead of Yuriko or Hikaru). I also noticed that Kaori was way back like behind Kajiura directly giving Yuuka the entirety of the front stage.MC 3 - LINO LEIA's current "precious piece" is the Hunter x Hunter book she's reading! Emiko's was a movie (didn't get the name). Kaori also seems to be an old manga. Yuriko's is a movie too. Joelle is a book, "The Giving Tree", she said it in English.
Kanata - As epic as the FIRST TAKE version but with the FBM
Walpurgis no Kaiten (M06) - This was super dramatic at the start. Yuriko's short solo was nice. She didn't go super vibrato-y with it. Kept it straight and dense. The reverb added to the second time was cool too.
Numquam vincar - Oh, straight up soundtracks in the live. I can only recall this from KajiFes.
black rose - I was so used to the intro track for YKL21 leading to the song, that I forgot it was another instrumental piece. Emiko started subtly mysterious. I like the subtle resonance changes she made to some notes in her first solo. In the pre-chorus leading up the chorus, she did that putting her hair behind her ear again almost in a knowing way like she was harking back to the YKL21 time. Her skipping around and holding hands with her co-vocalists in turn (except Kaori) was so sweet. This was an improved vocal performance by Emiko.
from the edge - Kaori came in with power on the "kana shimini". I was taken aback and stopped to go back! She had to soften it immediately after almost like she gathered herself back together. The chorus was the power version from two heavier voices compared to LiSA's and Keiko's. I had actually been imagining LiSA coming back to take this song with Emiko as her low-voice partner (now I think it could be Kaori in a softer tone). Emiko taking verse 2 (!) Wow! Her timbre and smooth but forward tone gave it a whole different feel (I like this). The weight and heft gave it more gravitas (or a different kind from LiSA's). I was thinking just before the end, 'was Joelle going to take the vocalization?', then I heard Emiko and giggled. Then went back to watch it... PERFECTION - the right amount of twang and the run down was in place. She did it her own way instead of going dramatic like Keiko did (also did it all internally with a still face)!
MATERIALISE (LIVE ver.) - Yeah, it's a proper operatic singer needed for this song since it was a power vocal (for opera) from Yuri Kasahara. No complaints with Aihara on this since she did her job. Staying at that projection level in that range while maintaining the consistent tone throughout was an operatic endeavour.
zodiacal sign - Samadhi on the zodiacal chant....? New things are happening every YKL it seems. Hearing the deeper male voices in the mix was a bit disconcerting at first. I think there were too many voices so it wasn't as smooth-sounding as usual. Having the cellist break out the trumpet was - a decision - but I feel he didn't have the required improvisational or melodic bandwidth to make a memorable solo (same issue I had with him at Kalafina's 2025 reunion concert, where he had to add a replacement solo for Akagi's iconic flute). I stand to be corrected but he's had two tries to introduce a new element to a crowd-favorite song and I'm sorry but I didn't really care for what he came up with. I've heard Revo's trumpeters and tin flutist bring up really melodic solos (maybe composed ones, I don't know) and Snarky Puppy brass section guys create very good fast solos too (they're jazz guys though), so... Junior's bass walkdown on the bass/drum section was also unexpected but cool.
MC 4 - Recount of the past songs, a little praise for Emiko (who took a bow), and precious pieces of Samadhi.
The main theme of L.O.R.D ["L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties] - Joelle piercing with her stationary vocal dynamics (not able to move around) and cutting eyes. The chorus with Samadhi was heavier than usual and quite welcome. I am actually curious about hearing the alto sing by herself in the future.
PARADE - Already a classic. That intro is always lovely. It's Kajiura's love letter to the continuation of her music-making journey. I will always listen to it including because I'm pretty sure it's special to her.
stone cold - Always a favorite of mine. Kaori always goes out all for this song. I really want to hear her sing with Revo again.
MC 5－Lots of thanks and reiterating her philosophy of each person receiving a unique perception of any song performed at a concert.
heigen - From the imperfect live translate I gathered that the intro vocalization from the original was an ethnic aboriginal vocalization, so I took it as Kajiura honoring it by just playing it, sort of like a collaboration with him (his spirit or that of wherever the vocalization came from). Parts of the melody and rhythm of this song sounds like E.G.O.
grunty
I have reached Yuki nirvana
This was the exact movie version, except YKL instrumentation so it lacks the untz. It's funny how YK was hyping Yuriko up for having a lot to do in Madoka movie, when this melody is literally all there is of her. (Or did I imagine YK saying that?)
george1234
Moderator
Yes she did say something like it but then toned it down after revealing the new vocalist. I believe this movie needed at least 2 times more bgms than it currently has, there its too much silence. I wonder if some journalist is going to ask her about it ? I remember we used to complain about too much sfx in kajiura works, but no music at all is even worse 