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Bakuman/Cross Game's Kobukuro Music Duo to Go on Hiatus
posted on by Egan Loo
The popular Japanese musical duo Kobukuro announced on Sunday that they are going on a temporary hiatus due to their health. The two members — 34-year-old Kentarō Kobuchi (pictured far right) and 34-year-old Junsuke Kuroda (pictured right) — made their announcement during the final concert of their nationwide tour at the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena in Hokkaido.
Kobuchi has been having trouble singing, especially during the high notes for which the duo is known, since the end of last year. When the symptoms did not improve, he underwent an examination by a medical specialist. The specialist diagnosed the problem as spasmodic laryngeal dysphonia, a neurological disorder common among people who use their voice in their professions. The specialist prescribed about half a year of rest for Kobuchi's throat to let it recuperate.
In addition, Kuroda's throat has also become fatigued, and his chronic back pain has worsened during the tour. Kuroda will also take the same half year to rest.
The duo made their major debut a decade ago in March of 2001. Kobukuro performed the opening theme songs for the television anime series Cross Game and Bakuman.
Due to their hiatus, the duo's annual Fan Festa event at Wakayama, which was slated for November this year, has been cancelled. The duo will also not release an album or perform in the Tohoku region for now due to the difficulty in performing live or recording.
Source: Oricon via Tokyograph
