Kaf (花譜)

Overview

Kaf (花譜, stylized KAF) is a Japanese virtual singer-songwriter represented by Kamitsubaki Studio. Born in December 2003 in Japan's Tohoku region and now living in Tokyo, she has been active on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok since October 2018, performing with a 3D avatar designed by PALOW. and never revealing her face. Her voice is often described as a distinctive whisper. Her fans are called "Kansokusha" (observers). In 2022 she became the first virtual performer to hold a solo concert at the Nippon Budokan.

Career

Discovery and debut (2017–2018)

Around 2017, at age 13, she uploaded songs to a music app and caught the attention of producer PIEDPIPER. She debuted in October 2018 and uploaded her first original song "Ito" on December 6, which reached 3rd on the iTunes J-Pop chart and 9th overall. Closing the first part of the virtual music event Count0 at the end of 2018 greatly expanded her following.

2019–2021

She went on hiatus on February 1, 2019 for high school entrance exams, returned on March 20, and posted the ballad "Hinadori" on March 22. Her first EP, Hana to Shinzō, came out on May 15, and her first one-man live, Fukakai, was held at LIQUIDROOM on August 1; crowdfunding raised over 40 million yen against a 5 million yen goal. "Yoru ga Furiyamu Mae ni" became her first film theme, for Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy (June 28). Her first album Kansoku followed on September 11 and the remix album Kansoku γ on December 25.

On March 23, 2020 she held the empty-venue livestream Fukakai (Re). "Answer" became the 11th ending theme of Black Clover. Her second EP Hana to Kaitou arrived on July 22 and her second album Mahō on November 25. In March 2021, during Fukakai 2 Q2, the group V.W.P was formed with Rimei, Harusaruhi, Iseikaijō and Kōko. "Tatoeba" was an insert song for the film Pompo: The Cinéphile in May. On October 27, marking her third anniversary, the collaborative "Kumikyoku" (Suite) project began; it concluded on January 3, 2024 with its 15th installment, "Ai no Mama". The remix album Mahō γ was released in December 2021.

2022–2024

A graduation live was streamed on March 26, 2022, and on August 24 she performed at the Nippon Budokan. There she unveiled "My Dear," which she wrote herself, becoming a virtual singer-songwriter. In October 2022, MAISONdes' "Tokyo Shandy Lovers feat. Kaf, Tsumiki" served as an ending theme for the anime Urusei Yatsura and passed 100 million streams. She premiered "Remember" on March 4, 2023 and released her third album Kyōsō on March 8, her last with main composer Iori Kanzaki. At the January 14, 2024 live Kaika she launched "Meguka," a parallel identity singing only her own songs. Kyōsō γ (March 27), the EP GSA (May 22) and her fourth album Gūwa (December 25) followed.

2025 onward

Meguka's first album arrived on March 26, 2025. The remix album Gūwa γ was released on July 16, and the single "Arifuretetai" (October 15) is the ending theme of the anime Alma-chan Wants to Be a Family. On October 18 she announced her major debut with Avex Music Creative. On March 1, 2026 she held her 5th one-man live at Pia Arena MM, and her fifth album Shin'ai was released on May 27. V.W.P entered a planned hiatus on March 31, 2026, while members continue solo activities.

Musical style

Rooted in J-pop, she also covers Vocaloid songs and performs anime themes. Early originals were all provided by Iori Kanzaki; she now collaborates with many artists and writes her own songs. Her albums are released in α and β editions, with remix albums marked γ.