「Kalafina Anniversary LIVE 2025」15th January Tokyo Garden Theater (NO KAJIURA INVOLVEMENT)
- Thread starter Kugayama
- Start date
A lot of Kalafina songs depart heavily from what Kajiura is famously known for. You can tell it's a Kajiura song if you were a pre-existing Kajiura fan, but a song like Hikari no Senritsu is completely unlike anything she made for FJ Yuuka or Seesaw before. Plus Kalafina dipped into so many different genres that all that music being composed by a single person is nothing short of amazing. Imagine a composer who's primarily known for classical choral gospel-inspired soundtracks being able to write not just good, but amazing rock, symphonic rock, heavy metal, enka (ish, Sandpiper is very enka coded), folk, waltz, electronic, jpop, chamber pop, synth, progressive rock, new age, with traditional Japanese and Arabic/Egyptian influences mixed in. And with harmonies and intricate vocal arrangement and layering in almost every song.
When I describe Kalafina to my friends, the closest I can think of is Evanescence, and even that is not close enough to describe Kajiura's work when she was in Kalafina. The diversity is shocking when you think about it, and I don't think many people on this planet can do as many genres as Kajiura had with Kalafina.
Now I really wish she used what she leaned in Kalafina and add it to her OSTs. Kalafina's rock songs are the best, bar none. Imagine an electric guitar focused OST rather than a violins and strings for once.
george1234
Moderator
FJYuuka also had alot of variety.
Romanesque = latin
Kouya Ruten = traditional japanese
Nostalgia = traditional european
Aikoi = idk exactly but its not exactly pop.
And there are many others.
Also see-saw:
Kioku and Senya Uchiya > arabic
Yasashii Yoake > japanese
Indio > has church organ and Kasahara
And anna ni isshou has one of the most catchy melodies Kajiura ever made.
The fact that Kalafina had twice as much long activity did help with the song variation being larger.
Romanesque = latin
Kouya Ruten = traditional japanese
Nostalgia = traditional european
Aikoi = idk exactly but its not exactly pop.
And there are many others.
Also see-saw:
Kioku and Senya Uchiya > arabic
Yasashii Yoake > japanese
Indio > has church organ and Kasahara
And anna ni isshou has one of the most catchy melodies Kajiura ever made.
The fact that Kalafina had twice as much long activity did help with the song variation being larger.
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ritarudandoo
Yuki is my reason for existence
Hmmm this is very possible. I know the ladies love each other so much and I think one of the catalysts of them not going back to Kajiura is because Wakana is set on not coming back to work with Kajiura. Like even if Kajiura seems to still think of Wakana somewhat fondly, surely there was something that happened between them and that made Wakana stayed in SC. Keiko once said that Wakana is Kalafina's main voice, she said that when you think of Kalafina then you'd think of Wakana's voice first. I think the love Keiko had for Kalafina is bigger than her love for Kajiura that she decided to do this. Hikaru seemed like she'd just follow what the other two do. But idk even after saying this I still think that it'd be better if they're upfront with Kajiura regarding this matter, but maybe they thought it'd only make the situation between Kajiura and Wakana worse (tho ngl to me it's still a better outcome than this because now Kajiura is very clear about distancing herself from Kalafina so it's like trading one bad relationship for three).
The money doesn't hurt either. Kajiura will still get royalty from them performing old Kalafina songs.
The majority of Kalafina's genre diversity was released over 4 years (Seventh Heaven - After Eden). Consolation has some very different songs like Moonfesta and signal, but we'll probably never see any artist have the same quality of songs as Kalafina's first 3 albums, especially Red Moon.
tsubasa
Moderator
Someone made a blog about the issue
https://fjsblog.livedoor.blog/archives/6745676.html
https://fjsblog.livedoor.blog/archives/6745676.html
It's a good read. Ultimately it's all speculation but some good points are brought up. However, the claim that Kalafina only got consistent work because of Kajiura is really not true in reality and diminishes their other achievements. Out of the series Kajiura composed for, Kalafina only sang for KnK, Madoka and Fate/Zero. SAO was a cash cow and Kajiura would have definitely wanted Kalafina to do a theme song for such a popular series. Every other tie-in was not Kajiura-related (FSN is a very indirect relationship).
grunty
I have reached Yuki nirvana
Well, unless we go back in time and Kalafina gets launched without Kajiura being their producer and writing everything, there's no way to prove their consistent work without Kajiura.
Even if they reactivated without her now, they are already more or less established (though time would tell how that would go down...).
Even if they reactivated without her now, they are already more or less established (though time would tell how that would go down...).
grunty
I have reached Yuki nirvana
And Yami no Uta is like a pre-2000 instrumental repurposed for Kalafina so what about that? Chances are others are too and we don't know (or aren't sure like FJ YUUKA's "destination unknown -行先不明-" on JASRAC, and whatever else I'm forgetting). Kajiura definitely had the diversity before, during, and after Kalafina. She also had a lot of duds before, during, and after...
I don't know what you guys are arguing.
H/K/W put their all into performing Kajiura's songs and promoting the hell out of Kalafina, including their own radio show. Kajiura still wrote and produced all their music.
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SurgamIdentidem
TETOTETOMETOME
I totally agree with grunty here. I also strongly suspect, that a big reason to why the early Kalafina albums were so fantastically good was simply because Kajiura had amassed a large amount of unused songs, musical motives and cues at that point for which she felt that she didn't really have a fitting outlet before.
My point is, I do not agree to the argument, that Kajiuras music is generally worse before or after Kalafina. In fact, I think Kajiuras creative low-point was actually during the time when Kalafina was still going (2015 - 2016). While I can maybe see a little bit where @Saber is coming from if we are talking about songs only, it certainly is not true for soundtracks. What certainly has decreased though is the amount of output, but that is also not entirely a bad thing if you ask me.
Coming back to Kalafina, I could very well imagine, that all three girls had been wanting to reunite for a long time and especially Keiko and Hikaru had been waiting for Kajiura to somehow get things sorted out with Space Craft. Maybe their patience has now finally broke, as they did not see any signs or any chance of things moving in the direction of an agreement with Space Craft regarding a future of Kalafina with Kajiura. Still, why they did not inform Kajiura beforehand about their decision is really strange and crazy to me. I think there might be a chance that Space Craft intentionally made this announcement earlier than originally agreed upon and before Keiko and Hikaru had planned to inform Kajiura in order to surprise her and drive a wedge between them. They might be hoping, that, out of anger, disappointment and bitterness, Kajiura would end her professional relationship with Keiko and Hikaru on bad terms, which would of course drive Keiko and Hikaru directly into their arms and away from Kajiura's influence who, to them, is an enemy and a bad influence. This is all pure speculation of course, but it would explain a lot of things...
george1234
Moderator
there are more posts too like this
https://fjsblog.livedoor.blog/archives/6735346.html
and this https://fjsblog.livedoor.blog/archives/6745676.html
CloisteredFlame
Yuki is my reason for existence
OK.
I'd been off the webs for about 48 hours due to some heavy work project we were working on for almost the full 48 hours.
Got a comment on YouTube in Japanese telling me something about Kalafina reunion and just thinking "HUH?" I was going to respond then decided to come and check here and it seems like it's real. I have a few thoughts and I may be wrong in some aspects but I just have to share for the record. My feelings are not mixed, they are firm in one direction, Kajiura's (based on the initial info I've seen and my feelings over time):
1. I care FAR LESS for a Kalafina reunion than for the legacy of Yuki Kajiura and her art, since the beauty of her music is why we are all here. Anything that diminishes that is unacceptable to me. She left Spacecraft (and Kalafina) because of disrespect to both her and her director, Mori, who I heard was fired when he didn't want to go with the changes (feel free to correct me if I mixed up any details).
2. Kajiura's melodies and lyrics and arrangement is the reason why we know Keiko, Wakana, and Hikaru, and why they've been rated as the artists they've become. If they'd been singing average JPop music they would never have shone as much as they did, since we can agree they are unique but not necessarily the strongest vocalists. She took a chance on them and gave them a high pedestal in terms of vocal writing to shine on, which is the essence of their careers.
3. I personally (and strongly) feel that Wakana's decision to not follow Kajiura (though she had every right to) was part of the reason she stayed back - apart from her solo career I feel she broke personally with Kajiura. Spacecraft couldn't have forced her to keep silent from speaking to the Kalafina/FJ girls all these years. She personally made that decision (again, I speculate, but I suspect).
4. I know this was speculation, but when I and @Lorde-Kowz spoke about seeming friction between Wakana and Kaori during a concert, I feel that was actually the case, for reasons we may never know. There may have been simmering issues over the years. At that time I had begun to build a feeling (watching some lives again) that maybe Wakana had some issues with a sense of entitlement and maybe feeling that she didn't have to sing under Kajiura again (which is fair), or that Kajiura was holding her back. Maybe, just speculating.
5. The fact that Wakana posted first about it, and there's no mention of Kajiura, and she's working with her own solo-career composer for this even though I thought she'd left Spacecraft, would seem to indicate that SC never held the gun to her head about working with Kajiura (as so many of her fans tried to say to defend her from criticism over the years, as if she had no say); and if Spacecraft actually forced her at the time, then she (Wakana) has decided to continue with that separation, making it her personal choice, deciding not to work with Kajiura. Maybe she felt Kajiura leaving Kalafina was selfish (only thinking of her ideals) and directly put Wakana, Hikaru, and Keiko's careers as Kalafina in jeopardy, and so she (Wakana) had enough and felt justified in looking out for her own career, and even reclaiming Kalafina without Kajiura. Kalafina was the main money maker for Kajiura, and the ladies and so losing it must have been a hit on their finances, personally.
6. To be honest, the latent disrespect in the entire thing is enough for me to personally not be interested in the anniversary, as I don't care to hear a watered down version of what Kajiura created, even with the ladies reuniting, especially without Kajiura being credited or acknowledged.
7. I don't know how Keiko and Hikaru can look her in the eye in the future, unless they were acting on an impression that the higher ups had connected, though I wonder why they wouldn't ask Kajiura about it to confirm. I am trying my best to give them the benefit of the doubt here. If they went behind her back to set this up for the sake of satisfying the fans, and making money, maybe assuming Kajiura would be a stumbling block if she was still against working with SC (since they own the brand and whatnot), then I am against that and the girls should know better (especially Keiko most of all). Who knows, maybe overtures had been made in the past and Kajiura refused on principle. Against, trying to look at things from the other side..
8. Maybe SC felt that Kajiura doing FJ covers of the Kalafina music she wrote, is her making some sort of claim on it (I don't know if there is any legal aspect to this) and they're trying to head her off by using the actual "Kalafina" name and doing an "anniversary live", so they claim the public sentiment and make Kajiura out to be the one stumbling block preventing reunion, then that's an attempt to tarnish her reputation (especially looking at her tweeted response to clear any speculations about her involvement, and seeming caught completely by surprise).
9. Kalafina was formed in 2008 and had their 10 year anniversary in 2018. What kind of anniversary are they celebrating in 2025? They already passed the 15th anniversary milestone, so it's 16? 17?
10. I look forward to reading all our thoughts, but I have to say, I have a real bitter taste about all this right now.
I think Kajiura has been handling this perfectly. I just looked at the translation of the announcement and somewhere it says sth like "harmony unique to Kalafina" that uniqueness was brought by Kajiura lol. I am genuinely curious how they will sing the songs live without Kajiura.
Wakana herself admitted that Kajiura was really hard/strict on her and that she couldn't deliver what Kajiura wanted and sing the way she wanted. I just read her interview, @grunty says under the post: "I'd rather Kajiura find someone who can realize what SHE wants." that cracked me up xD
I am not bothered by this news too much to be honest. It just made me sad that Kalafina members were not grateful and respectful of Kajiura enough to tell her in advance. and we really have to take Kajiura's word on this, true she may be lying as to when she was told for extra drama etc but somehow I doubt it. I think she is old and professional enough to not resort to such methods such as they are.
In fact it may make Kajiura look for new vocals herself. Just not LL or aimer etc. please. someone with classical/jazz singing background preferably.
Wakana herself admitted that Kajiura was really hard/strict on her and that she couldn't deliver what Kajiura wanted and sing the way she wanted. I just read her interview, @grunty says under the post: "I'd rather Kajiura find someone who can realize what SHE wants." that cracked me up xD
I am not bothered by this news too much to be honest. It just made me sad that Kalafina members were not grateful and respectful of Kajiura enough to tell her in advance. and we really have to take Kajiura's word on this, true she may be lying as to when she was told for extra drama etc but somehow I doubt it. I think she is old and professional enough to not resort to such methods such as they are.
In fact it may make Kajiura look for new vocals herself. Just not LL or aimer etc. please. someone with classical/jazz singing background preferably.
grunty
I have reached Yuki nirvana
Now ain't it funny that it might end up being LL... he...hehhe...ehehhe.. eternal sadness.
Yikes. Even with vocal training I don't think she'd even reach Kaori's level.
Quite literally no one has 2007-2010 Wakana's tone. That goddess-like chest voice with incredible emotional depth is a once in a generation occurrence, and it was absolutely perfect for Kajiura's songs and soundtracks. Kajiura knew it as well, if not why make Wakana "the voice" of BOTH FJ and Kalafina?
The real shady part of all this is spacecraft had 6 years to make a plan for Kalafina and they did nothing. Then, just as Kajiura starts performing Kalafina songs in her own act, Spacecraft suddenly decides to have a reunion.
Feels like they saw the positive fan reception and decided to capitalize on it while cockblocking Kajiura at the same time.
Feels like they saw the positive fan reception and decided to capitalize on it while cockblocking Kajiura at the same time.
george1234
Moderator
If you read the blog posts linked above the situation is explained. They didnt imclude Kajiura in the new Kalafina, so she a third party, and according to their 'non disclusure agreement" they shouldnt say anything about it to anyone (even their family) until there is official announcement. And they kept their agreement or they d be seeing as untrustworthy to the SC.
SurgamIdentidem
TETOTETOMETOME
I've read the blog posts, but I'm not sure if I should believe them. The blog makes it look like, Keiko and Hikaru had no other choice but leaving Kajiura completely in the dark but that doesn't really 100% make sense to me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you sign an NDA you are usually solely agreeing to not sharing anything about the contents and progress of the negotiations to any third party and not also to having to hide the fact that there are negotiations taking place in the first place. I just think it is crazy that Keiko and Hikaru entered the negotiations without even telling Kajiura. Kajiuras tweet looks like she had absolutely no idea about anything going on in the first place, because otherwise she would've known for a while that there was a real possibility they were planning to continue Kalafina without her, since she wasn't being informed about anything even though negotiations were going on.
I just still can't believe they even came to the conclusion that continuing Kalafina without Kajiura was an acceptable idea and especially that Keiko and Hikaru agreed to such a proposition. I'm still somewhat in denial.
Fankly, this kind of also sums up my feelings about the matter. Of course technically and legally, Kajiura is not a part of Kalafina, but her compositions were the backbone and musical identity of the group since the beginning. The utter disresregard not only towards Kajiuras achievement but also towards all of the Kalafina fans who are actually fans because of the uniqueness and quality of their music and not because they like to see and hear H/K/W "sing on stage and be happy" is baffling to me. I mean, to come to the conclusion that Kajiura was not integral to Kalafinas sound and subsequently to their success you either have to be tone deaf or you are a management-person who never actually listened to their music and is only there for the money.
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ritarudandoo
Yuki is my reason for existence
but Kajiura also was the one who insisted that Wakana needed to change her voice/way of singing for Kalafina to grow (back in After Eden 2011). Now Idk if it was meant to be "please train your live vocals" or "change your voice" but Wakana went with the latter, completely discarding her old voice and Kajiura didn't seem to say anything. Wakana said that she found her voice back (Hikarifuru 2012) but her voice was never the same since, and in fact Kajiura actually seemed to like it very much to the point of making a FJ-Wakana disguised as Kalafina album (far on the water 2015), though to be fair at this point Hikaru's voice was already ruined so Kajiura had less option to work with. Wakana's inability to deliver high quality live vocals didn't even deter her from keep making Wakana as the main vocal in plenty of her songs, both in Kalafina and FictionJunction. I highly doubt Kajiura suddenly thought "oh Wakana can't realize what I wanted so bye". If she really did that and if Wakana really felt that pressure of never really being able to live up to her standard, then no wonder Wakana left her (Kajiura).
tbh to me harmony unique to Kalafina also equally means that it depends on Wakana as the melody lmao. This is why Kalafina cover on YKL received mixed to negative comments. Kajiura could've chosen Hikaru-heavy songs for YKL but she still chose the Wakana heavy ones, not only because they're more popular, but also because they showed more "harmony unique to Kalafina" (lmao) that plenty of the live audiences felt that they failed to showcase because Wakana wasn't there to sing the melody. With this announcement plenty of fans voiced their support to Kajiura and said that they will accept Kalafina cover on YKL now because it's the Kajiura-way.
Don't get me wrong, I still don't think what Keiko and Hikaru did is completely acceptable but like what I've said before, Kajiura is no longer their producer since 2018. I'm not completely fine with the way Kajiura worded her letter like Keiko and Hikaru breached their contract or something because legally nothing is violated. If this concert is only a one off thing then imo Kajiura truly blew it out of proportion. People have urged Kajiura to legally ban them from singing old Kalafina songs since she owns the copyright to them but she said that they can keep singing them. An excellent move that paints her like a saint against Spacecraft the demon. Like if I were in her position I too would act like this because this thing already happened, she knows that she can't truly satisfy the Kalafina fans that aren't her fans, and it's also easy money for her.
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To me, it's pretty telling that the last OST she used Wakana's vocals for is Historia and Pandora Hearts, and nothing after that. Wakana went from being a part of her OST vocalists like Yuriko, Hanae and Eri to only covering them in FJ lives.
Okay there was Zaregoto but that's literally one track.