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Contents Botanical Tsushin 2026 Spring Vol.21
03 Wakana Special Interview
08 "Wakana Anime Classics 2025" LIVE PHOTO
12 "Kalafina Anniversary Live 2026" LIVE PHOTO
14 Gyoza Taste Test
17 Talk Corner Vol.23
18 Member Contribution Corner Vol.23
20 Information
Hikaru kicked off her nationwide "LIVE TOUR 2026 -ROUND-" in Chiba today! She'll be in Niigata next weekend! Tweet by Hikaru
May 31st (Sun) Chiba, Inage K’S DREAM
June 6th (Sat) Niigata, Live Hall GOLDEN PIGS RED STAGE
June 13th (Sat) Akita, Akita Club SWINDLE
June 20th (Sat) Yamaguchi, LIVE rise SHUNAN
June 27th (Sat) Okinawa, Live House Sakurazaka Central
July 2nd (Thu) Tokyo, duo MUSIC EXCHANGE
We got some great news today! Hikaru's new album "Singularity" won't just be exclusively available at her tour venues. The new album also drops digitally on a variety of streaming platforms and physically in Animate stores on July 2nd, the date of Hikaru's final tour concert. You can pre-order your copy at Animate Online starting June 1st. Be sure to use this rare opportunity! (Source)
Hikaru to Appear on Day 1 of 『animate Theater LIVE 2026 ~summer~』
Yet another great announcement! Hikaru will be one of the participating artists on Day 1 of the upcoming Animate Summer event 『animate Theater LIVE 2026 ~summer~』!
『animate Theater LIVE 2026 ~summer~』
Date:August 29, 2026 (Sat)
Time: OPEN 16:00 / START 17:00
Venue: 📍Animate Theater (Animate Ikebukuro Main Store B2F)
Day 1 ReoNa, Hikaru, Suupeas
Day 2 Shoko Nakagawa, halca, Mashiro Ayano, METANICK
■Ticket Price: 6,500 yen (tax included)
※ALL Standing
▼Advanced Lottery Application: May 31, 2026 ~June 14, 2026
🎫https://animate-ticket.com/events/184
2026/05/25 Blog post by Wakana ”my music box”ありがとうございました‼︎〜金曜日にお会いしましょう♡〜
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Thank You, ”my music box”‼︎〜Let's Meet on Friday♡〜
Last Saturday on the 23rd, I held my concert, "Wakana Live 2026 ~my music box~"!! \\\٩( 'ω' )و ////
Today, I'd like to look back on the event with lots of photos taken by photographer Okawa-san📸! 🥳🎉We had lots of fun during the member introductions" were fun too!
During the 2nd Stage, I accidentally addressed my guitarist Fukuhara Reon by his father's name (Fukuhara Masanobu)…!! 😂) Reon-kun was kind enough to excuse my little mistake and told me that the mix-up was understandable😂
Next, I was very interested in the percussion instruments of Yamashita Asuka-chan!! Here she introduces her favourite instrument ♪ And here we have the instrument that created those lovely sounds of water used for the Mizu no Akashi performance during the 2nd stage. It was a basin filled with water, and she was using this round, coconut-like, helmet-like thingy (sorry, can't remember what it was called) to scoop up the water and make the sound…! ! 😆
And then there's our bandmaster, Hori Kuraaki! Kuraaki is always so reliable! He has a kind of teacher-like feel to him. He's very good at talking and explaining things. And he is super tough, he was actually working in Korea until the day before!
For the encore, I wore a denim dress~♡
Finally, I was able to introduce everyone to my manipulator, Oliver! He's also a martial artist, so it's no wonder he looks strong…!! 😂 Everyone's smiles after the show were so lovely, it's one of my favourite photos! 🥰
All photos were taken by Shinji Okawa. He always takes photos at my live shows, you have probably seen him take photos at the after-event for my December Classics Concerts♪📸)
Thank you so much to everyone who came! 🥰I'll also use the opportunity to post the setlists for the two stages!! ︎\\\٩( 'ω' )و ////
【1st Stage】
M01 Yakusoku no Yoake
M02 Tsubasa
M03 Hard Rain
M04 Kinmokusei
M05 Aki no Sakura
M06 Love is Always
M07 Yureru Haru
M08 Romance no Kamisama
M09 Kaze no Toori Michi
M10 Where the Lights Are
M11 Shirushi
M12 Butterfly Dream
M13 Flag
M14 Sono Saki e
EC Happy Hello Day
【2nd Stage】
M01 Toki wo Koeru Yoru ni
M02 Tsubasa
M03 Ruriiro no Sora
M04 Kinmokusei
M05 Orange
M06 Koi wa Itsumo
M07 Yureru Haru
M08 Romance no Kamisama
M09 Get Wild
M10 Mizu no Akashi
M11 Shirushi
M12 Rapa Nui
M13 Flag
M14 Asu wo Yumemite Utau
EC magic moment
I still have so much more I want to talk about~😆So, this Friday the 29th, I'll be holding an after-talk event via live stream, and I'd like to talk even more there!! \(^o^)/I'd also like to answer everyone's questions! 😊
Event Details
Botanical Land Member-Exclusive Live Stream Event "🦈Premium After "Shark" Event🦈 ~More!! ︎my music box〜』
Date: May 29, 2026 (Fri)
Time: 19:00~
Performer: Wakana
‖Ticket Purchasing Period
May 25 (Mon) 15:00 - June 14 (Sun) 23:59
Link: https://wakana-fc.jp/contents/1076094
For those who attended the live performance, I would be very happy if you could also participate in the survey! 😊If you'd like, I would be even happier if you could use the survey to ask me any questions for the online event! ! \(^o^)/♡ http://wakana-fc.jp/contents/1075792
I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone through this online event! ! \\\٩( 'ω' )و ////I'm not only going to talk about the live performance, I'm also planning some fun games♡ Feel free to share your suggestions if there is anything you'd like me to do! ! 😊I'm looking forward to everyone's participation! !
And lastly, we finally got to announce my next live performances!! 🥳🎉🎉First up, I'll hold a concert in the summer! Another live performance with Kuraaki-san! 🎹🎤♫
Wakana Live 2026 with Hori Kuraaki
Date: August 5th, 2026 (Wed)
Venue: Meguro Blues Alley Japan
And I am doing my annual Wakana Classics again!! 🎹🎻🎻🎤🎶
Wakana Classics 2026
Date: December 23rd (Wed)
Venue: Hamarikyu Asahi Hall (Music Hall)
More details will be announced soon, so please stay tuned! 😊♡
That's all for today!! See you on Friday the 29th! \(^o^)/Until next time~☆( '▽')/
***Wakana***
2026/05/31 Blog post by Wakana 5月最後の日‼︎〜配信とシャークとコレクション〜
Last Day of May‼︎〜Live Stream & Sharks & Collections〜
Last Friday, I held an exclusive live stream event for all Botanical Land members, '🦈Premium After "Shark" Event🦈 ~More!! My Music Box~'!! \\\\٩( 'ω' )و //// There were more shark plushies than usual 🦈🦈🦈🦈 So fluffy 🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈The Sumikko Gurashi shark series is super cute even from behind. So chubby.
Here's a look at the game we played. There is actually another game aside from the one we played during the stream, and apparently playing both makes it even more difficult!! (I've fallen in love with this game 🌿)
The event included behind-the-scenes stories from the live shows, conversations with guests, game segments, and a lot more… a full two-hour-plus event! I always feel like this, but time really flies by! 😳 When I'm reading everyone's comments and answering questions, I completely lose track of time! \(^o^)/ Thank you to everyone who joined the live stream!! 🥰 This live stream archive will be available until June 14th (Sun) so be sure to check it out 🥳 Please experience the memories of that live performance "even more!!" \\\\٩( 'ω' )و ////
https://wakana-fc.jp/contents/1076094
Hello, this is Wakana (0 ̄▽ ̄0)/
I love Instagram Lives where I can talk freely without a script, but I also love live streaming events that are packed with lots of fun ideas!! *・゜゚・*:.。..。.:*・'(*゚▽゚*)'・*:.。. .。.:*・゜゚・*
Well everyone! May ends today!!! Whoaaaaaa ( ̄◇ ̄;) But the world is already experiencing summer-like temperatures, making me wonder if we've skipped the rainy season and are already in summer? Well, summer will probably be much hotter than this 😇 Right now it's still somewhat dry and the breeze feels nice and cool. Summer is all hot winds, after all. Anyway, please let me remind you again about the talk theme for next month's "Wakana's Talk Garden"! The next topic is: "Tell me what you collect, or what you used to collect!" For example, "I collect plates by my favourite artist!" or "I collect stuffed animals in a series!" Or maybe you like collecting stickers you can get at shopping streets! Or you collect commemorative medals from past events! Or stamp rallies! Or cute stationery... and so on! ! Please tell me what you're collecting, or have collected! 😊💕 The deadline is today, May 31st (Sun)! ! ! Submit your message here! ↓↓↓
Kajiura Yuki's Anime Universe Comes to tiny desk Kajiura Yuki, the composer whose music has captivated audiences around the world, arrives a
For those who want to watch the Tiny Desk performance, the NHK site have the full performance (with English subtitles!) available online until April 5th.
If hearing "Alleluia" being performed by people who weren't involved in the original recording makes you sad or uncomfortable, that's perfectly understandable. Emiko does an excellent job though, and of course it's cool to see Yuki herself performing with everyone else (I suspect that newer fans who only started listening to them after the 2018 controversy happened are probably wondering what the fuss is all about). I personally don't think that there's much point in "taking sides" or inventing grievances, and I don't see the need to talk down one artist in order to appreciate another either. "Different" doesn't necessarily mean "better" or "worse" where lineup changes are concerned.
Anyway. On its own merits, it's pretty great. It starts with solo guest appearances from LiSA and Yuuka Nanri, then there are some well-known songs with the full band. If, like me, you're still emotionally invested in the YK/FJ project and want to hear what they sound like today, you'll have a great time here. It reminds me a bit of the "MTV Unplugged" recordings that used to happen back in the 90s.
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All right, these are too precious not to share. Keiko has been adding a ton of super cute photos to her fan club gallery. As of right now, she has two folders, a more "off-duty" one for her "Travel" memories and another one for all her "Kalafina" activities. The "Travel" pics are very candid so if you wanna get a glimpse into her private life, these are definitely for you! The Kalafina photos include solo shots, two-shots and group pics. if you enjoy this sort of content and always wanna be up-to-date, please consider joining Keiko's fan club now! Eventually, I will be sharing all of this of course since I don't believe in withholding content but I always feel like I am discouraging people from subscribing if I share too much stuff too early, I hope that makes sense.
Anyway, here is an excerpt of some of my favourite Kalafina pics!
To commemorate the release of the second tribute album, “Ghibli wo Utau/Singing Ghibli Vol.#2,” two special concerts are held in Tokyo as well as Osaka. Today, on March 20, the second concert took place at Grand Cube Osaka. Kalafina was part of the line-up!! Find my post about the Tokyo concert and the upcoming WOWOW broadcast HERE.
Tweet by Ghibli wo Utau| Tweet by Hikaru | Instagram post by Wakana | Tweet by Keiko | Instagram post by Hikaru | Instagram post by Keiko
Setlist (appearance in a total of 4 songs incl. collab/encore)
Seems like some people on Twitter got it wrong so there was a bit of a mix-up regarding the setlist last time. I had really hoped they would have sung "さくらんぼの実る頃/Le Temps des Cerises" but alas, fake news T_T
いつも何度でも/Itsumo Nando Demo (Collab with Win Morisaki)
時の歌/Toki no Uta/Song of Time (Kalafina)
Arrietty's Song (Kalafina)
やさしさに包まれたなら/Yasashisa Ni Tsutsumareta Nara (everyone)
[Event Details]
■ Performance Title
“Ghibli wo Utau” Concert Vol.#2 ~ Produced by Satoshi Takebe
■ Date , Venue
📅Date: March 13, 2026, Open 18:00 / Start 19:00📅
📍Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall A📍
📅Date: March 20, 2026, Open 17:00 / Start 18:00📅
📍Venue: Grand Cube Osaka📍
◾ Producer/Music Director: Satoshi Takebe
◾ Performers:
Sakurako Ohara, Tokiko Kato, Kalafina, GLIM SPANKY, Shiori Tamai (Momoiro Clover Z), Shintaro Namioka & Maho Oshima (Penthouse), Takahisa Masuda, Win Morisaki
※Please note that not all artists featured on the album are expected to appear.
[Official Website]
https://ghibliwoutau-concert.com
2026/02/28 Blog post by Wakana ライブの詳細を発表しました!!〜Newキービジュアルと旅とジブリ〜
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Live Details Announced!!〜New Key Visual & Travel & Ghibli〜
Yesterday, the details for "Wakana Live 2026 (tentative title)," to be held at Nikkei Hall on May 23rd were announced! \\\٩( 'ω' )و ////
http://wakana-fc.jp/contents/1041912
Here are the new key visuals ♡\(^o^)/Every day, countless thoughts are running through my head and many different feelings arise within my heart. By examining those feelings, I can discover a side of myself I never knew existed. I'm always determined to search for those new aspects of my myself in my music. Please come to the live and discover all those feelings I want to express and share with everyone at this point in my life.
Also, I've come up with a "🦈Premium Shark Seat🦈" exclusively for Botanical Land members \\\٩( 'ω' )و ////You're probably thinking, "What's that???" 😂, basically, I just want to provide you with my own version of a premium shark-themed seat experience! !Stay tuned for more details to follow soon! 😊♡
Well, my podcast "Wakana's Talk Garden" will be on hiatus in March but we'll still have a member submission corner for my next newsletter!! I'd like to remind you of that today♪😆This month's theme is, "Share your 'Travel Memories'!" Please tell me about your "best travel memories" and "memorable travel anecdotes"! \(^o^)/Click here for details♪
http://wakana-fc.jp/contents/1049177
The deadline is March 15th! There's still time~♡ Take your time to think about it, and be sure to send in a submission!!
And finally, here are some photos from yesterday's live stream! Yesterday, we appeared as Kalafina on the YouTube live broadcast 「Takebe Satoshi Talks About 'Ghibli wo Utau Vol.#2'」!! 🥳🎉🎉We had the chance to chat with the participating artists about the album which was released on the 25th.♫ It seems like there were some issues with the video freezing, but I hope everyone was still able to watch it properly…😳💦Once a livestream starts, time really flies by, but it was a fun experience, packed with the performers' passion for the songs and their excitement for the concert.😆Here's a photo of Takebe-san and Kalafina🐣And here I am trying to balance the acrylic stand on my forehead again. Thank you everyone for watching!! ・:*+.(( °ω° ))/.:+
Today is the day of Kalafina’s final anniversary concert! I am so sad this mini tour is almost over. I wonder what changes they will make to the setlist.
Side note: This time, they had us queue up inside the venue🥵I put on extra layers so I wouldn’t freeze like last time but it was a total waste😅Oh well🤷♀️
Tweet by Kalafina staff | Tweet by Hikaru | Instagram post by Wakana
Setlist
1.consolation - ring your bell - oblivious
2.believe
3.progressive
MC
4.storia - moonfesta - storia
5.neverending
6.Hikari no Senritsu
MC
7.interlude 01
8.Kimi ga Hikari ni Kaete Iku
9.ARIA
10.sprinter
Madoka Medley Instrumental (Hikari Furu-Mirai-Kimi no Gin no Niwa-Misterioso)
The girls return in gorgeous red dresses😍
11.Magia(quattro)
12.red moon
13.obbligato
MC
14.Kagayaku Sora no Shijima ni wa
15.Märchen - in every nothing- Märchen
16.to the beginning
MC
17.adore
18.Signal
19.blaze
20.Ongaku
MC
21.Yume no Daichi - Far on the Water - seventh heaven
En.ring your bell acoustic - into the world - into the world
📢Great news, everyone!!📢 They just announced yet another ticket lottery round and this time it is finally a bit more inclusive, meaning that it's not limited to e-tickets only. We have one lottery on "e+" which most of you should be familiar with. There's another lottery on "Pia" which is also a very popular ticketing system in Japan. Please note that this round is only for the concerts in Tokyo on January 14 and 15. But you do have the option to get a regular paper ticket issues so there's no need to deal with any app verification. So if you are already working with a proxy service, they should be able to get a ticket for you.
Homepage: https://www.red-hot.ne.jp/sp/kalafina/
Lottery Application period: Nov 29th - Dec 07th
e+: https://eplus.jp/kalafina/
Pia: https://w.pia.jp/t/kalafina26/
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Contents Botanical Tsushin 2025 Summer Vol.19
03 Wakana Special Interview
08 Wakana Spring Live 2025 ~Little Dance~ LIVE PHOTO
12 Omatsuri Days 2025 LIVE PHOTO
14 Talk Corner Vol.21
16 Join Wakana on the Ghibli x Tokyo Metro Stamp Rally
18 Member Contribution Corner Vol.21
20 Information
This was such beautifully candid interview in which Wakana shared some of her recent troubles. I had no idea she was struggling so much. Everyone, be sure to give this a read!
– This interview is conducted three days after “AirTrip presents Omatsuri Days 2025” which was held on July 11th. It seems like you are still not over the excitement of that day *laughs*?
The “Omatsuri Days 2025” live show was really a lot of fun!
– First, I'll tell you what I thought. Your singing voice resonated freely and beautifully. I got the impression that your singing was more liberated and free than usual. Also, the atmosphere of the MC felt like watching you in your most candid and natural state which was also great!
I thought the same thing. That day, I was in a state of excitement where I was able to just be myself. It was like, “ah yes, this is the me I know so well!” For some reason, it was that concert on July 11th which allowed me to rediscover the fundamental basics that make up who I truly am as a person.
– I see.
I couldn't experience that feeling at the Kalafina concert in January, or at Wakana Spring Live 2025 ~ Little Dance ~ in April. Rather, the concert in April... Well, it's hard to put into words but it's something I want to share with everyone who reads the newsletter... After the Kalafina concert in January, I held my Wakana solo concert in April... To me, Kalafina is Kalafina, and my solo work is my solo work. The songs I sing are different too so I always thought of them as separate things. It's been that way up until now. But when I actually stood on the stage in April as a solo artist, I was more confused than I ever thought I could be by the differences between Kalafina and my solo work, it was unsettling in so many ways. I knew there was a completely different kind of joy and reward to my solo activities which I had pursued for many years until that point but I was more influenced by Kalafina's live show than I had expected. Kalafina's live shows have always had quite strict rules when it comes to singing, performing and direction. Within those rules, within this structure, there is beauty and joy to be found, it’s a special way how the three of us get to express ourselves. On the other hand, Wakana's solo live shows are something I have done with the desire to enjoy even the unexpected happenings during a concert, to convey the joy of music, the joy of a live performance, the joy of a unique moment in a more casual manner that is not planned as strictly. However, I had lost sight of that. Later, when I looked back at the live performance and reflected on my feelings, I realised that I was just incredibly confused and had lost sight of myself but right after the performance in April, I was super depressed and close to despair wondering, “why did this happen? Why can't I do this anymore? I can't sing the way I want to.”
– At the Kalafina concert, I remember you overcame some trouble when you lost your voice right before the performance, so you may have been feeling a sense of determination to avoid that happening again.
That's right, actually, on the day of the performance, I suddenly found it difficult to sing, it felt like I couldn’t produce my singing voice but because I only had that one performance that night, I thought, “it's fine if my vocals get damaged after this live and I can't sing anymore but I will do everything within my power to deliver a great performance, even if it completely burns me out!” I concentrated on keeping my voice strong until the very last song and did my very best. Because of that, for my solo live in April, I was even more determined, “I need to put even more effort into this, I have to do this properly!” I thought I was prepared and ready to deliver a good performance but on the contrary, emotionally I was dragging myself down too much with Kalafina. I got stuck during 'believe' and couldn't sing at all, I also made a big mistake at the beginning of 'Sekai no Yakusoku'. These songs are so very important to me so it was more than just being frustrated about making a mistake, I was really shocked. More than anything, I had prepared for the concert with the sole desire to deliver good singing to everyone in the audience and yet I ended up disappointing them. I felt so sorry that it had turned out like this. I thought this is what despair feels like. After the concert, I received many messages from fans saying they were worried, and I felt even more apologetic.
– I see...That being said, it was your first solo band live performance in about a year, and I think your vision to “feel the happiness and fragrant wind that herald the arrival of spring,” was conveyed well to the audience through the setlist and the entire concert. The energy that only a band can create and the emotions of the audience all came together, and I really enjoyed it as a member of the audience.
All the band members, including Takebe-san, it's all thanks to the support of everyone, and the fans who are always so warm and kind to me... I can really feel that they believe in me, in my music, they cherish me more than I do myself. I'm truly blessed...!
– I think it's because you are working so hard.
After the live in April, I didn't know what to do or how to continue, it was very stressful. I was confused, hopeless, and lost, wondering what would become of me. I wanted to do my best, but I just kept hitting dead ends.
– But you did a great job of getting yourself out of this hole.
I had been worrying about it for a long time, but actually, around that time, I suddenly got a call from my agency’s president saying, “the structure of the agency is going to change drastically.” I was like, “What!? What does that mean!?” *nervous laughter*. It was like these huge waves were hitting me from all sides, it literally felt like I was drowning.
– The change in management structure from an artist's perspective can represent a fundamental change in the way they work as artists.
Yes. So, from that point on, I was almost forced to make a new start, or to move towards a new phase. What was going to happen with the sudden change in management?! What's more, I couldn't sing the way I wanted to and couldn't find a way out of my dilemma! It might be all over! I was on the verge of panicking! But surprisingly, it all worked to my advantage. It gave me the courage to move on *laughs*.
– I guess it was a little bit like shock therapy *laughs*?
That's right *laughs*. While I myself and my inner circle were in a state of panic, the biggest motivation was that I realised how blessed I was to have so many people around me who never gave up on me. The president, the staff members, Takebe-san, and of course, all the fans. They all kept telling me to do my best, they encouraged me to do another live show because the last one was fun, they came up with lots of exciting ideas to try this and that for the next time. Not a single one of them had any intention of ending my activities as a solo artist, they all believed in me. I was just so grateful. I didn’t know why I couldn't sing the way I wanted to, I had no idea but I wanted to show my gratitude to everyone who supported me through my music! I don't know what’s going on but it's okay! I just have to keep singing! I just have to do it. I thought, “yeah! I should believe in myself because everyone else believes in me!” That was right before the “Omatsuri Days 2025” live performance from the other day.
– This might have been the first time you've ever sung and spoken so freely and comfortably at a live performance?
That's true. Before the performance, I was nervous as usual and my body was shaking. But on that day, I wanted to make the audience happy! In order to do that, I thought it might be important to just be my natural and normal self. Whether it's for my solo stuff or for Kalafina, when I'm in front of people, I naturally always want to look my best and do a good job but I think I end up forcing myself in some way.
– During the MC part, I thought you were talking very casually and candidly. Friendly, lively, and sometimes saying things that don't make sense *laughs*.
That's right *laughs*. Everyone accepted me as I was with a smile on their face, they laughed and enjoyed the moment together with me. CHiCO's fans too. It's the most fun to sing when I am just being my natural self! I wondered why I hadn't been doing that before! For the past 17 years, I had been suppressing these feelings. Then again, I always thought that I wouldn't ever make it as a professional if I continued to sing in the carefree manner I was used to from back home in Fukuoka. It feels like I've taken a very roundabout way to get back to my origins.
– Maybe it’s because you have been struggling day by day, trying all sorts of things, that now, at this exact moment in time, you've finally been able to rediscover your true self. If you had continued living your life as a singer for the past 17 years with the same mindset you had when you were still young and auditioning, things might have turned out completely differently and the Wakana we all know might not be here today.
Ah yes, maybe that's true... When I think about it, I realise that truly nothing on my journey so far has been a waste. I hate going through rough and painful times though *laughs*. I've been writing in my diary recently and on the night of July 11th I wrote, “I always try to act in a way that doesn't hurt anyone. But I shouldn't worry too much. I’ll create an atmosphere where everyone can be happy. I want to be happy myself. To achieve that, the most important thing is not to put on a facade. I just want to be myself.” I will try my best to remember this from now on, I'm going to prove it to all of you with my music.
Yay!! Today is the day! First Solo Keiko Live in ages!!! I’ve missed her so much!!!🥹
Got to Solamachi Skytree pretty early in the morning and just spent my day there shopping and eating my way through the shops. I wore a complete Keiko outfit for this special occasion. She’s been wearing these pants so often these days, I’m so glad I managed to find a used pair on Mercari last year.🤗
Bought all my goods✨🌌Thanks to some fellow fans, I got the complete set of acrylic cards🤗I was so scared I wouldn’t get it🫣Man, they really fucked it up at the merch sale. The cards weren‘t shuffled at all so most people got a lot of the same design😒Oh well, after a very stressful exchange, I managed to get all five designs. BANZAI 🎉As always, I also got a bunch of snacks from everyone. Thank you so much ☺️🙏
1st Stage 18:30-19:45
2nd Stage 20:30-21:45
Keiko wore a gorgeous black sparkly dress, similar to the one on her merch although it has a different cut. It has straps with a v-neck and is definitely not floor-length. She had her hair in a side ponytail with lots of sparkly hair accessories adorning it. I added some photos at the bottom which she shared on Yodel and in her Instagram Story. I got lucky for the first show, I won a ticket in the FC lottery. I ended up in the second row with a pretty clear view of Keiko🥰
This time, Keiko introduced a new instrument, she used wind chimes for some lovely transitions. During the medleys, they were particularly effective.
Not sure about the title of the intro. This was a super short song mostly in English with just the final few words in Japanese (輝けるきっと?), absolutely gorgeous high notes from Keiko, I’m obsessed 🤩 Update: Okay, it’s actually called “planetarium” and it’s a brand new song! Keiko shared the setlist on Yodel and a brief video that was taken during the beginning of the live (also available on her Instagram Story). Side note: For this live, Keiko had a camera man film some (maybe all) of her performance and she is planning to upload more footage soon because she is eager to share the planetarium experience with more of her fans, although the rest might be fan club exclusive or it might be added as bonus feature on her upcoming release? Either way, I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated. As for this current video ➡️📹OMG!! Do you understand now what I mean when I say “gorgeous high notes”? Amazing right?! The intro was a bit longer but not by much. I hope the full version will be longer but that might just be it🥲Liked it even more the second time around and this video footage officially made me fall in love with it. I want more! This really is my type of song 🎶 It’s not a cover as far as I can tell…? I think she may already have sung this in one of her Instagram Lives but I am not sure…? Will have to check later or in the next few days. Update: Keiko also posted a YouTube Short so be sure to check that out!
To think that I didn’t like “Yuyami no Uta” at first, it has really grown on me, I am actually a pretty big fan now. Also such a perfect fit for her Planetarium Lives. This new acoustic arrangement almost makes it a different type of song, it has improved so much. Don’t really like Yuki’s arrangement to he honest🫣Kudos to Yas for his skills. “Close to you” has definitely never been my cup of tea ☠️So sorry, Keiko😣 I am just not a fan of her vocals in it. Keiko mentioned on Yodel that she picked mostly songs where she is using her higher register for the live and yup, that’s certainly true. I would typically prefer her to use her lower register but she has gotten really good with those high notes so for the most part, the songs work for me. Bu now, I am actually looking forward to hearing her high notes. But this one is just meh. Generally not a big fan of the song itself I guess so there’s probably no chance I’ll ever start liking it. A big YES for “Yoru no Uso to”!!! One of the few proper ballads in the setlist and you know how much I love me some good ballads. I’ll say that I much preferred the setlist of the very first Planetarium Live that I had the privilege of attending. It had more of those ballads I love and overall a quite somber atmosphere. More up my alley than the vibe she was going for during this event. She clearly had more fun with this one though so I am happy as long as she is happy🥰
The Kalafina corner was surprisingly long and so good, OMG!! I adore all the acoustic arrangements!! Bless Yas for creating them for us🙏“al fine” is one of my all-time favourite songs, I actually use it as my alarm to wake me up every morning 😅Since I love it so much I was pleasantly surprised to hear it. It was basically an acappella version with just a bit of percussion from Yas. Honestly almost brought me to tears 😭. “to the beginning” and “Manten” was more of a medley with only the final verse of TTB leading straight into “Manten” (check out Keiko’s TikTok here!. They used gorgeous visuals for the show that were very reminiscent of the TTB music video. “Mune no Yukue” once again hit me in the feels 🥹It was during the MC in the 2nd show right after performing this song that Keiko had hinted at Wakana and Hikaru possibly being there and as we all know, that turned out to be true💙🖤🤍 Keiko once again explained that having Yas create special arrangements for her creates some sort of reset so she has an easier time singing them. It is usually difficult for Keiko to bring herself to sing Wakana’s and Hikaru’s part (it feels kinda wrong to her) so the changes almost make it feel like a different song.
The Ghibli addition was super nice, didn’t expect that. Wonder if it is a tiny hint for Kalafina’s track on the upcoming album…?😅I doubt it though. That performance of “Kaze no Toori Michi” reminded me so much of Wakana’s cover version. I am dying to hear a duet🥹She transitioned into the song by doing a short lalala intro. Pretty sure it was a different song during the first show but during the second show it was “Kimi wo Nosete”. “Burn in the Wind” was great, no notes. Both this somg as well as “Latte” have become true staples of Keiko’s Planetarium Lives, they match the atmosphere perfectly. They might have some of the best and most interesting visuals, especially “Latte”!! Definitely the most fun part of the concert. Finally we got to hear her two new songs live!! At least an acoustic arrangement. I am not sure which one I like more, probably “Kimi no Sukina Uta” because it is her love letter 💌 to us. Cannot wait to sing the lalala section at a future live. “Jiyu Chizu” still has to grow on me, very curious about the studio version for this one…(Update: We now have an Instagram Reel and TikTok for this!!) I had no idea that Keiko loved “Your” so much. The way she fondly speaks about the song makes me want to fall in love with it. Again, I am not 100% sold on some of those high notes but I do really like parts of the melody
At the end of the show Keiko came to the audience area and waved at us, she was so close😍
I didn’t have that much luck for the second show. From second row to last row😢 Guess I should still consider myself lucky since I managed to win in the general sale🙏Anyway, no chance of seeing Keiko properly. Oh well, a better opportunity to watch the planetarium show.🌌
Setlist (the same for both shows)
Intro: planetarium (New Song)
1.Yuyami no Uta
2.Close to you
3.Yoru no Uso to
4.al fine (Kalafina)
5.to the beginning (Kalafina)
6.Manten (Kalafina)
7.Mune no Yukue (Kalafina)
8.Kimi wo Nosete intro ~ Kaze no Toori Michi (Ghibli)
9.Burn in the Wind
10.Latte
11. Kimi no Sukina Uta (New Song)
12. Jiyu Chizu (New Song)
13. Your
Tweet by Keiko | Tweet by Hikaru&Wakana | Tweet 2 by Keiko
Wahhhhh!!! 😳Hikaru and Wakana were there to support Keiko 💙🖤🤍I was looking through the crowd (hoping they would be there snd then during ond of the MCs Keiko gave a small hint) but I didn’t notice them anywhere near me.
Don't forget to tune in today! It's Kalafina's first video broadcast in a VERY long time so no one should miss it.
Tweet by Wakana | Tweet 2 by Wakana | Tweet by Hikaru | Tweet by Keiko | Tweet by Ghibli wo Utau | Instagram post by Wakana
⏰YOUTUBE LINK⏰
▶️DOWNLOAD HERE▶️
Live Commentary
Love how they recreated their regular radio program “Kalafina Club”. They did a quick acappella session performing “Hoshizora No Distance” by THE ALFEE.
Thankfully they are planning to archive the video😮💨Was scared they wouldn’t!
Now they are talking about their participation in the upcoming “Ghibli wo Utau Vol.#2”. They were directed by Satoshi Takebe and it was really nice being able to see each other during the recording instead of being completely separated in the process. Seems like Wakana will probably be the lead since she was in a bigger room when the recording happened while Hi/Kei were in smaller booths.
Awww 🥰 I adore how Keiko is already holding on tight to both Hi and Wa 💙🖤🤍Someone please make five million gifs of this broadcast!!🙏 I want to use so many moments as new reaction gifs for my blog. I can't believe we finally have new material.
Wakana has such a long history with Ghibli and it obviously means so much to her that she gets to sing a Ghibli song together with Hi and Kei as Kalafina 🥹
They cannot reveal the song they will be singing but they share some of their favourites. Wakana is partial to “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind”, Hikaru loves “Totoro”.
LOL at Wakana and Keiko trying to recreate their reaction when they found out they would take part in the album. Adorable🥰 Brings back so many memories from their old live broadcasts.
Game corner with sketchbooks!! Ahhh!! Pure Nostalgia!! They each need to draw a sea otter 🦦 Wakana did a decent job, Keiko’s drawing is a little adventurous. Hikaru’s is so freaking cute. Next up, they are doing a dinosaur 🦖 Once again, Keiko does a wild design.😅Last prompt is a witch/wizard🧙♀️Wakana did an amazing job, so cute!
Q&A corner: There’s a question about their sports activities/work-outs. Keiko already shares everything on social media so she lets Hi/Wa answer the question. Hi does zero and Wa does some stretching/strength training. Preference regarding tsubu-an or koshi-an. Request for maiyaiya and a quick self-introduction. They share theor sleeping schedules. When asked about their dreams for the future: They want to do lots of fun and interesting things together in the future, especially in their private time.
They will do an Instagram Live on Wakana’s and Hikaru's account right after this broadcast so check that out!!!
We should look forward to some more announcements in the future!
To wrap up the live, they sing “Mune no Yukue” 💙🖤🤍 Interesting choice taking the most recent YKL setlists into account. Either way, never thought this song would make me cry since it’s not among my favourites but damn, this hit me right in the feels 🥹
This was such a great little hit of nostalgia! Not just the new song announcement, but the general vibe where they're comfortable hanging out together again. I'm not going to try to guess what song they'll be recording, because I don't want to get my hopes up and feel disappointed. I'm sure that it's going to be a highlight of the album though.
The highlight for me though was that "unplugged" rendition of "Mune no Yukue." It's not one of my favourites either, nor has it ever been a popular choice for live shows...and yet. And yet. Why did they choose this one in particular? Is it because it has particular significance for them? Or maybe the chords were easier for Keiko to learn?
A more obvious choice might have been "Sprinter", because it's one of their most well-known tracks, and it's already been given a slower acoustic arrangement for live shows. In spite of this, they went for the pleasantly surprising choice of "Mune no Yukue" instead.
It sounds great played this way. And now I want to see Keiko play more guitar at Kalafina reunion shows! XD
Kalafina to Participate in Volume#2 Of The Special Studio Ghibli Tribute Album!
Back in 2023, a special #Studio Ghibli Tribute album produced by Satoshi Takebe was released. Wakana was among the 12 participating artists, she also took part in the "#Ghibli wo Utau Concert" which was held in March 2024 and was later streamed online. It has just been announced that a Volume#2 of this album will be released this year in November! It is once again produced by Satoshi Takebe. And there is a big surprise!! Among the 13 participating artists, Kalafina will be in charge of one of the tracks!! 💙🖤🤍
Title: 「ジブリをうたう その2」
Studio Ghibli Tribute Album “Singing Ghibli” Volume #2
Cover illustration: Goro Miyazaki
Release date: November 19
Price: VICL-66103 / ¥3,630(tax incl)
Homepage: https://ghibliwoutau.com/
ORDER NOW!!
Also available on CDJapan!!
Participating artists:
Aina the End, Yuda Ohno & Sota Hanamura (Da-iCE), Sakurako Ohara, Aya Ogawa & Iroha Okuda (Nogizaka46), Kalafina, Shigeru Kishida (Quruli) & Shiori Tamai (Momoiro Clover Z), GLIM SPANKY, Ninjin (from Rokudenashi), NON x SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS, Taro Hakase & Satoshi Takebe, Penthouse, Win Morisaki, Hiroko Yakushimaru
Tracklist: Will be announced at a later date!
Keiko's comment on Yodel/Instagram:
I am pleased to announced that we as Kalafina have had the opportunity to participate in the making of the Studio Ghibli Tribute Album “Singing Ghibli” Volume #2.
For me, when I hear Ghibli, the first thing that comes to mind is Wakana-chan. Haha, I am not kidding, it's 100% true. During my time in Kalafina, we were involved in a variety of anime productions which allowed us to travel overseas many times to perform our music. During that time, I felt that the popularity of Ghibli films both at home and abroad was a huge source of pride for Japan. But what really made a big impression on me was how Wakana-chan would talk about her love for everything Ghibli whenever she was asked questions related to anime.
Of course, Ghibli films are fascinating to me as well. I have always wondered what it is about these films that make them so beloved among people of all generations, I don't really have an answer though...I think one of the charms of Ghibli films is that they make you ask yourself questions like this. They teach us the importance of taking your time to really think about things.
I am very honored to have the opportunity to sing Ghibli music as part of this project. I hope many people will get to hear the harmony created by the three of us. Phew, so glad we finally get to reveal this announcement 💙🖤🤍
Comment by Kalafina on Twitter
We are honored that Kalafina will be participating in "Singing Ghibli Volume#2." We're thrilled that the three of us will be able to deliver the music of Ghibli films, beloved worldwide, in harmony. We hope everyone enjoys it.
Kalafina (Wakana, Keiko, Hikaru)
Comment by Hikaru on Instagram
I am pleased to announce that we will be participating in the Studio Ghibli tribute album "Singing Ghibli Volume#2."
I am so honored to have been given such a valuable opportunity!
I'm also happy that the three of us can sing together again(*^‿^*) I'm savoring this happiness.
Ghibli films are loved by so many people, transcending all boundaries of age, gender, nationality, etc.
I'm one of those who have been exposed to them since I was a child. It truly feels like a dream…!
I'm a little nervous, but I'll sing with all my heartfelt respect.
Comment by Wakana on Instagram
Kalafina will be participating in the second Studio Ghibli tribute album, "Ghibli wo Utau Vol.#2," produced by Takebe Satoshi. 🧚✨Following my participation on the previous album, I'm incredibly happy to be once again involved with the world of Ghibli, which I love…🥹✨
And this time, it's as part of Kalafina!! 🫣💕
I'm truly happy that the three of us will be able to sing for you all again. Please look forward to the release! ♡🌱
Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! SO EXCITED!!! We are getting an actual new release!! A Ghibli cover is the perfect start!! I KNEW they were recording something back in July!! I wonder which song it's going to be....? Hopefully a solid ballad that will highlight their harmony work!
This Friday, on September 5th, Keiko will be holding a live broadcast to celebrate the 50th episode of her YouTube program "Keiko's Room."
Wakana and Hikaru are invited as special guests 💙🖤🤍
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M5CvQPmJmw
OMG!!! So excited. I am sure they are gonna sing something. Keiko mentioned on Yodel yesterday, that they had met again to sing so they might have done a brief rehearsal. Since Keiko's Instagram Story is using Kugatsu as background music, that would definitely be a very likely candidate and obviously a perfect choice for the beginning of September. Either way, even if they don't sing anything at all, I am so hyped for this!!!
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I FINALLY received my copy of the latest fan club magazine which contains some self liner notes as well as lyrics for two of Keiko's brand new songs. This is her first attempt at creating not only the lyrics but also the music herself so these are literally her babies. I am so proud of her!! In a music session together with Yas and “her0ism“, they wrote two songs which Keiko has been performing in some of her recent Instagram Lives. There's no official release date yet and none of these infos have been made public but Keiko wants to share some insights with her fan club members a little bit in advance in order to show her appreciation for us💕. Generally speaking, these songs are dedicated to her entire fanbase and she has poured all of her love into the melody and lyrics. The story behind the first song is particularly moving, it feels like it is directly connected to all the things that have happened throughout the year. Please respect that the info below the cut is
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Song #1
"キミの好きなうた / Kimi no Sukina Uta"
SELF LINER NOTES
"キミの好きなうた / Your Favourite Song" April 5 @ LA Day 1
We are going to her0ism’s house studio. The moment we open the door, Hero's pet dog gives us a warm welcome. Tommi\(^o^)/ Tommi is deaf and he always sits in a special seat in the middle of the studio listening to the music that Hero creates. After saying hello and introducing ourselves, we head straight to the studio...but first, we have something to eat! 100% American style. Eating hamburgers together at the studio, it’s certainly not something I ever thought about in Japan... Oh, it’s delicious. I wonder when was the last time I had a hamburger... Was it this delicious? Or is it the magic of LA? I even surprise myself by how quickly I eat. Everyone who usually sees me eating would be surprised *laughs* Yas is also surprised. He looks at me like he can’t believe his eyes and says, "huh, Keiko is actually eating a burger" *laughs*
Well, that’s a long introduction, but the purpose of my trip to LA this time is doing a "session." You might be wondering what a session is, right? Me too. In the recordings I've experienced so far, I’ll usually just sing along to a demo tape of a song that I have received in advance which already includes the sheet music and a tentative melody line along with some piano playing as well as vocals. A session on the other hand is when creators and musicians come together (in this case Hero, Yas and myself) and create a song from scratch on the spot. The process includes coming up with the melody line, known as the top line, lyrics, arrangement, and vocals.
First, I share the image of the song I want to convey, and then Hero creates a simple track based on that image alone. "I would like something honest and effortless, perfectly suited for a Planetarium Live... I want it to feel like I am writing a letter to my beloved fans." This is basically the image I have in mind. Hero plays some tunes on the piano with a gentle touch, the number of notes making up the song gradually increases and once it is finished to a certain extent, Yas adds some guitar phrasing that feels intuitively pleasant. As I sit on the sofa listening to the beautiful sounds they create, I am unable to hold back tears. It feels like I have given up on something so while crying, I begin writing lyrics, or rather a letter.
"All right, sorry to have kept you waiting, now it’s time to create the melody together!" Hero suddenly says, turning around. I am shocked and nervous, "What?! How can I create a melody based on a simple track that only consists of a few chords? Huh? I can't do that!" That is pretty much how I feel at the start of my first session day *laughs* We all laugh and Hero tells me, "Don't worry, we'll work together!" in a gentle manner. But all the while, he continues to move forward relentlessly. I think this must be his style. "What are the most important words you want to convey with this song?" he asks. "I know your favourite song, I know your favourite sound, I won’t forget." This is the feeling I would like to express in the chorus. "OK! Let's start with the chorus!" ...I am so focused for the next 4 or 5 hours that I don't remember much, but whenever I get stuck for words, Hero encourages me to tell him the general gist of the words and feelings I want to convey so he can help me expand on them, this is how I end up putting together the lyrics, or rather the contents of my letter. Hero plays a melody on the piano. I add some words to it and try singing them. As we continue, we keep adjusting the words and melody, changing the vowels so that they blend more pleasantly with the melody. Then I suggest that we should add a “lalala” part because I really wanna sing it together with everyone. I try singing a few things and it works.
Towards the end of the session, we are able to create the melody line naturally while singing the lyrics for the first time, we eventually all agree, "Oh! That sounds great!" Hero, Yas and I collaborate in a proper chorus style, bringing our voices and thoughts together. The singing, which feels more like storytelling than actual singing, gives off a feeling fitting for a Planetarium Live atmosphere, and it ends with a big chorus…
Day 1 of my very first session ends successfully. I am beyond excited and my adrenaline is pumping, it’s been so much fun and there is a true sense of accomplishment, I absolutely love the finished song, "キミの好きなうた," so much so that I am actually playing it on loop until I fall asleep that night. See you tomorrow... I am half excited and half nervous for tomorrow's session. Good night!
Your Favourite Song - English Lyrics
Where are you?
What are you thinking about?
On a starry night like this
Do you remember
Our last shared smile and the promise we made that day?
Right now
I am unable to say thank you or sorry
While I'm all alone tonight
Hugging my knees
I know your favourite song
I know your favourite sound
I can never forget
I won’t ever forget
Our melody
Are you smiling?
Are you sleeping well?
My dear loved ones!
All the things that are on my mind right now
I wished upon a star
That they would reach you
Even now, there are things still locked away somewhere in my heart
Despite embracing countless stars all by myself
I know your favourite song
I know your favourite sound
I can never forget
I won’t ever forget
Our melody
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Song#2
"自由地図 / Jiyū Chizu"
SELF LINER NOTES
"自由地図 / Open Map" April 6 @ LA Day 2
"Good morning! Uber Eats!" I say as I start the second day with a Starbucks coffee in hand. While Hero is fine-tuning yesterday's "キミの好きなうた," I’ll busy myself doing what I can in this situation... which is basically relaxing and playing with Tommi... and expanding on the idea of what kind of song I want to create today. The image in my head is something along the lines of, "A loop-type song... With a spacious feel that incorporates the atmosphere of LA and conveys a sense of openness." Hero quietly creates a track based on the keyword "loop." From there, the exchanges with Yas happen super quickly...
Meanwhile, I scream in my head that I can't keep up with that pace at all *bitter smile*. I've spent a lot of time alone since coming to America so I try to choose my words carefully, taking into account the feelings I'm experiencing at the moment. On that day as well, I muster all of my strength to work with my limited vocabulary. Just like yesterday, I want to keep the melody and lyrics simple and not overdo it, so even though it's a bit embarrassing, I decide to create something using the words that naturally flow out of me without forcing myself.
"I want to search for sounds that will take people on a journey to sceneries they've never seen before. I want to explore the feeling of treading carefully when people don’t know much about each other, the feeling of anxiety, hope and curiosity for the future." These are the things I would like to sing about. Compared to yesterday, I am much better at expressing my ideas to them, I am not as embarrassed so I can’t help but smile a little inside. I've already grown a bit.
The session on the second day also starts with the chorus. I have a notebook in hand... America is the land of freedom... I am looking for some definitive words... but I'm stuck. To change my mood, I leave the studio and wander around Hero's house. My eyes suddenly land on a map that’s on display...Ah, I realise it’s an open map and from there I start typing quickly on my phone. I would like the sound of the words "map of freedom" at the end of this song to give people a sense of hope.
After we finish the chorus, we go back to the A-melody and then continue working on the B-melody, Hero suggests, "Hmm, how about adding a rap-like feel to the B-melody?"As we sing, we work out how the words fit together, and create the atmosphere with slight nuances and the rise and fall of notes. I am slowly able to get a sense of Hero's habit of rhyming, it is a great learning experience for me. Ah, I have never felt this sense of melody when fitting words together before, it’s a lot of fun.
On the second night, I listen to the song on repeat while dancing.I don’t even get to take a bath *laughs* When I hear the chorus, I just want to start moving *laughs* I am happy to have created a new song that incorporates the freshness of LA but also has a sense of independence and adult freedom.
Map of Freedom - English Lyrics
I'm searching for words
To wish happiness
To everyone in my life who comes and goes
And to those I'll never meet again
I wonder since when my pace has been decided by someone else
As time goes by, I don't even notice it, today as well,
I start moving because there are still dreams waiting for me
I'll believe in myself, same as always
Even if it's an indescribable dream
We'll be carried by the wind of freedom
Now look, we'll be able to overcome any hurdles
I want to take you
To a tomorrow
That you've never seen before
That you've never heard before
A map of freedom for you and me
Towards roads we've never walked before
And places we've explored countless times
As the sun rises
Let's take a detour
The reason I can quietly say "I'm home" today is
Because you will surely be there welcoming me with a smile
It's not over yet, I can't give up
I believe our dreams will come true
Even if it's an indescribable dream
We'll be carried by the wind of freedom
Now look, we'll be able to overcome any hurdles
I want to take you
To a tomorrow
That you've never seen before,
That you've never heard before,
A map of freedom for you and me
This is such great news! I'm was glad to hear that she's working on new solo stuff, but the lyrics of the second track seem to be particularly "personal" and meaningful. I truly hope that this is a turning-point for her growth as an artist. I'm so proud of her!