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Musician Kohmi Hirose Leaves Agency, but Agency Claims Rights to Her Stage Name
posted on by Karen Ressler
Musician Kohmi Hirose (52) revealed on Facebook on Monday that her contract with the agency Office 30 ended on May 21, so she is leaving to start a new agency titled Muse Endeaver inc.
Office 30 posted a note on its website on Thursday, alleging that Hirose, real name Mami Ishii (romanization not confirmed), had not run the announcement by Office 30 first, and that its representative director Yōichi Hirano owns the rights to her stage name. The agency asserted that she is not allowed to use the name "Kohmi Hirose," and is considering legal action against her for doing so. "Kohmi Hirose's" official blog announced, on behalf of the agency, that she will take a hiatus as an artist.
Hirose posted a follow-up Facebook post on Thursday, saying she is surprised by the news and she intends to continue using the name Kohmi Hirose.
Hirose composed and arranged the first opening and ending songs for the Card Captor Sakura anime, and performed the ending song herself. She also wrote and composed the 12th ending theme song "Smile for…" for the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! anime.
Sources: Kohmi Hirose's Facebook, Office 30's Website, Sponichi Annex via Otakomu
