Kalafina were a Japanese vocal group formed by composer Yuki Kajiura in 2007, mainly to perform theme songs for the anime Kara no Kyōkai, but since expanded to many other theme songs for other anime shows and films including the Madoka Magica and Fate/stay night franchises. They have released five albums that have charted in the top 10 for Oricon. They disbanded in 2018-19.
History
The group first appeared in January 2008 with two original members from Yuki Kajiura's FictionJunction project, Wakana Ōtaki and Keiko Kubota, whose membership was not confirmed until the first Dream Port 2008 concert held on April 29, 2008. In May 2008, it was announced that two more vocalists, Maya Toyoshima and Hikaru Masai, would be added to the project. Kalafina moved to the Sacra Music record label under Sony Music Entertainment Japan in April 2017. In 2009, Toyoshima left the group, resulting in a trio. With Yuki Kajiura leaving her agency Space Craft Produce in 2018, news agency Oricon reported that the group was expected to continue even with Kajiura leaving. Space Craft has further announced that concerts, 10th anniversary film's plans are still moving forward. However, they are expected to disband in Spring, although Space Craft reported to the official fan club that only one member will leave Kalafina. Although rumors said that Hikaru would leave the group, Sports Hochi reported that the member that will leave the group is Keiko, and that official news about who is leaving the group would be announced at the end of March 2018. It was confirmed on April 13, 2018 on Kalafina Lineblog that Keiko had officially left the group as of April 1, 2018. Following this, Hikaru left the agency as of October 20, 2018, although she did not state that she left the group. Finally, on March 13, 2019, Space Craft announced Kalafina's disbandment.
Members
Main vocalists
Keiko: Like Wakana, she is also a member of Kajiura's FictionJunction project and worked alongside her under the name FictionJunction KEIKO. She officially left the group on April 2018. She hails from the Shibuya area in Tokyo, Japan. Prior to FictionJunction and Kalafina, she was in a rock vocal duo called Itokubo. Space Craft describes her singing as a "captivating bass voice". In 2020, she is working on a solo album with Avex Trax.
and previously collaborated with Yuki Kajiura as FictionJunction WAKANA. She moved from Space Craft to Victor Entertainment in 2019, and has released two solo albums and an EP.
Maya Toyoshima : Was selected in an audition held by Sony Music Japan. She sang on the single "Sprinter/Aria". She left the group in 2009.
. She officially left Space Craft on October 20, 2018 after her contract expired. She is from Toyama Prefecture. In 2020, she is pursuing a solo career under the name H-el-ical//
Supporting
Yuki Kajiura: Formerly the primary composer and arranger of Kalafina's songs. Kajiura left the group upon her departure from Space Craft Produce.
REMI : Background vocalist.
Yuriko Kaida : Background vocalist, she was part of FictionJunction's group of singers.
