News
Singer Keiko Kubota Leaves Kalafina Singing Unit
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Singer Keiko Kubota (center in image at right) announced on the official website of the three-member female singing unit Kalafina on Friday that she left the group effective on April 1. In addition, the site revealed that Wakana Ootaki and Hikaru Masai will continue to work on musical activities.
Keiko often provided the lower vocal parts in Kalafina's songs. In her message, Keiko wrote that her contract with Space Craft Produce has ended without trouble. She thanked everyone who supported Kalafina for the past 10 years and allowed them to perform music and achieve their dream of performing at Budokan.
Space Craft Produce previously announced in March that one Kalafina member wishes to leave the agency. Space Craft Produce received and granted the member's request.
Yuki Kajiura, the founder of Kalafina, left the Space Craft Produce agency in February. Space Craft Produce stated to Oricon News after Kajiura's departure that Kalafina will continue working under the company.
Kajiura started the Kalafina music group in 2007 to perform the theme songs for The Garden of Sinners anime films. Kajiura produced, composed, and wrote the lyrics for most of the group's songs. The group started out with four members, with two of the four members — Keiko Kubota and Wakana Ootaki — having previously worked with Kajiura under her FictionJunction project. Maya Toyoshima left the group in 2009.
The group has performed theme songs for such anime as Sound of the Sky, Aldnoah.Zero, Black Butler, Time of Eve, Fate/Zero, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, and most recently, Katsugeki! Tōken Ranbu. The group has released 21 singles and six studio albums.
The group recently performed their 10th anniversary concert at the Budokan on January 23, and has a 10th anniversary film that screened in select theaters in Japan from March 30 to April 12.
[Via Otakomu]
