Kalafina Post-Kajiura thread (Upd:「Kalafina Anniversary LIVE 2026」Jan 14-19 2026)

[CloisteredFlame]

the dresses and the Kalafina ladies themselves are gorgeous. love the styling as it is almost a nod to OG Kalafina with those Edwardian-inspired dresses.

I agree that this was a back-to-European-basics costuming for them. That is one thing that was unique about Kalafina aesthetics, matching the music of Kajiura.

i do like their dresses and expressions too. Wakana has bit of Sayaka look to her

Is Wakana not looking somewhat taller than the others? I like her slightly aloof stance.

i like these dresses a lot more than their 2025 anniversary live teaser dresses

I also agree with this. They also seem more comfortable / in character in this photo than for the 2025 promotion. There there was a stronger sense of separation/individuality while standing together and here a stronger sense of the group and their roles in it.

 

[Atlas Star]

Kalafina_Staff
@Kalafina_Staff
『#Kalafina Anniversary LIVE 2026』
新キービジュアル公開
2026.1.14(水)東京 / NHKホール
2026.1.15(木)東京 / NHKホール
2026.1.19(月)大阪 / フェスティバルホール
#Kalafina_Anniv2026
https://red-hot.ne.jp/sp/kalafina/

https://x.com/Kalafina_Staff/status/1999657245249011971?s=20

View attachment 26087

The promotion has begun!
I am sure they can't wear these for the live, but they look lovely in them. I hope they do a fuller photoshoot in these (and similar) costumes.

Sorry if already mentioned but totally giving “Kagayaku Sora no shijima niwa” vibes

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Sorry if already mentioned but totally giving “Kagayaku Sora no shijima niwa” vibes

Minus the hats.

 

[grunty]

Does Keiko have anemia or is she just tired af? Or is it an intentional look that's a style?

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Hmmm...

It's a beautiful Celtic-style soundtrack, sung in Japanese, and created by a French lady called Cécile Corbel and her band, who (I learned) also sang the English, Japanese, and French versions of the song/soundtrack (very, VERY cool). This song style fits well with Kajiura's oft-used 3/4 waltz style and sometimes Celtic melodic and instrumental sensibilities, so an appropriate choice for Kalafina!

https://open.spotify.com/track/26IEfjU8v6z8dBeyXxQ1Lh?si=7ca4fe1952784329 - link to “Arrietty’s Song” from the artist.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4F22XJWhfi1BHI0fOA9td6?si=b4aa2b4de3974b7c - link to “Arrietty’s Song - Instrumental Version”
https://open.spotify.com/album/0ldESLoQyyP80ynVU2gych?si=tOAGI5gDQYywS5l9KS4O9Q - link to the entire Arrietty soundtrack.

From her Spotify bio (where "Arrietty's Song" has over 16 million listens): "This artist with a captivating universe was born in 1980 in Finistére, Brittany. She forges a unique and inspired path as a composer, author, Celtic harpist, and singer." ... Her work on the movie of the year in 2010, earned her the title of Best Original Soundtrack of the Year at the Japan Golden Disc Awards, as well as two gold records."

So, an award-winning composer and a beloved song. This will definitely be eagerly awaited by fans, and I await a listen as well.

For Kalafina, the chorus is the real work, where the harmony will shine. For me, this is a song to be led by either Hikaru first on verse one, then Keiko on verse 2, and Wakana just joins for the chorus harmony. Hikaru actually has/had the right Elf-like voice for it (think "Hikaru no Senritsu"), but she can't sing gently like she used to be able to so it will be more breathy... I do think she can do it since the verse melody doesn't have high notes per se... The song is also acoustic so a good choice not requiring belted vocals and the voice can shine more naturally.

(P.S.:I can also see Haruka Shimotsuki covering this song since she's quite Celtic-influenced in her music and their voices are SO SIMILAR, in terms of color, forward placement and range!)

I’m just wondering about what Kajiura would put together if asked to write for Ghibli.

 

[ritarudandoo]

Does Keiko have anemia or is she just tired af? Or is it an intentional look that's a style?

That's just the makeup and editing. The editing was bad and there's no way she didn't get any blush-on on her face or at the very least some contouring. That lipstick shade also doesn't help lmao.

I feel like they were supposed to look at the camera from 3 different angle: Hikaru gazing upwards, Wakana gazing downwards/sideways, while Keiko was supposed to look straight into the camera. But Keiko didn't exactly do that, she looked at the camera alright but she honestly just looked like she was spacing out lmao. The photographer was just horrible at doing their job.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

I feel like they were supposed to look at the camera from 3 different angle: Hikaru gazing upwards, Wakana gazing downwards/sideways, while Keiko was supposed to look straight into the camera.

That would be the a good idea.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

^ to me it looks like they re inside a dark cave with stalactites (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalactite) on top of them

Hilarious!

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Just listening to "In Dulci Jubilo", from Kalafina's Winter Acoustic and it's just...lovely!

They really had to use a more intricate and calm/deliberate choral-style harmonization, which showcased their vocal quality.

I would say it's one of their best harmony work in their entire discography from a purely vocal quality and blend perspective.

OK, so I discovered that one of my favorite acappella singing groups, sang this Christmas hymn to in a proper classical (chamber) context.

Beautiful arrangement with counterpoint aspects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob0B5zlpR8A
VOCES8: 'In Dulci Jubilo' arr. Robert Pearsall

ENJOY!

 

[CloisteredFlame]

https://x.com/Hikaru_0702_/status/2004160278066614466?s=20

Hikaru
@Hikaru_0702_
Translated from Japanese
Rehearsals and Santa are both flawless

"Love is the closest things we have to magic"
"I love you"

~That's really cute~

 

[toshiroukajiura]

Watching Keiko’s recent performance of Nanairo finale. After seeing this I realized that Emiko is such a far more versatile singer No hate on Keiko. I love her. But I just envision Emiko’s voice getting better with Kajiura’s guidance, like how I am surprised by Lino Leia’s growth too.

I wish them well.

 

[george1234]

Pretty sure Lino has her own coach for her solo work, doesnt depend on Kajiura. Should be something similar with Emiko before.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Watching Keiko’s recent performance of Nanairo finale. After seeing this I realized that Emiko is such a far more versatile singer No hate on Keiko. I love her. But I just envision Emiko’s voice getting better with Kajiura’s guidance, like how I am surprised by Lino Leia’s growth too.

I wish them well.

We know that Emiko had a lot of exposure to spontaneous and energetic soul singing with her entire family in competition settings, while Keiko liked pop and rock music, and had the youth choir and early training for her career, but not much the classical which she got exposed to singing with Kajiura.

I imagine that LINO LEIA has had to rise to the requirements of singing Kajiura's music (not easy, just ask Wakana and Hikaru) and that includes being influenced by Joelle, Yuriko, Kaori, and listening to them and how they approach the variety of vocal styles in YKL. You know the 3 of them are all vocal coaches/trainers so I imagine LL has gotten support and advice. Also, Kajiura gets her singers to sing as she wants.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Kaori = ASCA = Joelle

Huh? Kaori=Joelle>ASCA...

i'd like to think that Kajiura invites Yuuka back because she herself had enough with these subpar Yuuka covers.

So Yuuka essentially said, "Fine, I'll do it myself".

And she/they definitely had something against Joelle.

So Joelle has an enemy in the camp.