35 Dead in Suspected Arson at Kyoto Animation No. 1 Studio [Update 7/27]
A suspected arson attack at the No. 1 Studio building of animation production company Kyoto Animation on Thursday has left at least 33 people dead and 36 more injured. It is Japan's deadliest arson incident since 1989 and its deadliest fire incident since 2001, according to police. A 41-year-old man, who is among the injured, has been identified as a suspect.According to a Thursday evening incident report by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, two 20-liter containers of gasoline were found outside on the street near the site of the fire. Police say the suspect admitted to lighting gasoline as he was transported away from the scene. He is pending questioning while being treated at the hospital. Japanese news media report witnesses hearing the man say "Go die!" while setting the building lobby on fire.
Reports say about 70 people were inside the three-story building when the fire began at approximately 10:35 a.m. local time. Local fire agencies dispatched 30 vehicles to the scene, and the blaze was finally put out nearly five hours later. On Thursday evening, fire officials said two of the dead were found on the first floor, 11 on the second floor, and 20 in the staircase leading from the third floor to the rooftop. Firefighters found the rooftop door closed, but it was not locked. Fire and rescue activities have since ended, and no one is left inside the building.
Authorities have not released the names of victims. Among the dead, 12 were men, 20 were women, and one was of unconfirmed gender. As news of the fire spread around the world on Thursday, anime music producer Suguru Yamaguchi (Tamako Market and Tamako Love Story) revealed on Twitter that he has confirmed the safety of director Naoko Yamada.
A former Kyoto Animation employee spoke with public broadcaster NHK and said the No. 1 Studio largely employed animators involved in creating key animation and in-between animation frames. Most of the staff were women, with 10 to 20 people working on each floor. The studio building, which was badly damaged in the fire, was last inspected in October and found to be in compliance with code.
Kyoto Animation employs approximately 160 people. Its No. 1 Studio is located in Fushimi Ward in Kyoto and began operating in 2008. The company also operates a separate head office, a No. 2 Studio building, a merchandise store, and a No. 5 Studio building in the city of Uji. No incidents have been reported in any of the company's other sites.
Source: NHK News 1, NHK News 2, The Mainichi (photo)
Update July 19
The death toll in Thursday's arson fire at the No. 1 Studio building of Kyoto Animation has risen to 34. Kyoto Prefectural Police announced on Friday evening that a man being treated in the hospital has died of his injuries.
Source: NHK News
Update July 27
Kyoto Prefectural Police announced on Saturday, July 27, that a second man being treated in the hospital for injuries sustained in the fire has died. The death toll now stands at 35.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun
This news has been updated with the final report of casualties. An archive of the original story is below.
20 of 638 Comments Recent Comments
Jan 24, 10:08 PM by KingOfMAL
35 dead, 36 injured, jesus that is almost half of the staff. I read more report of this recently ;(
Nov 26, 2019 7:15 AM by Hyoroemon
huntress1013 said:
-_-
No
Complete overestimation of the relationship in all respects.
I said strong but only to a casual degree and that we wouldn't be too far off the mark, also the fact there there is a Japanese population in this country does indicate a reasonable degree of appeal, and the UK is the 2nd most used country for anime settings closely followed by America as I have counted around 40 in total thanks to a thread I made last month. AurafullAlex said:
The UK's relationship maybe a casual one but it is likely 1 of the strongest casual ones Japan has at least with any western country.
The UK's relationship maybe a casual one but it is likely 1 of the strongest casual ones Japan has at least with any western country.
-_-
No
Complete overestimation of the relationship in all respects.
Also the UK has given amunition support to Japan when they were up against the Vietnamese and the UK is often brought up when Europe is the discussed topic, France and Germany only tend to be more favourable when counting Europe so at least in the contect of Europe. We also supported them in there threat from North Korea those several months ago when when the country flew a missile over Japan. Either way I don't mean overly strong but casually speaking so please understand context here. Thank you.
Report
Aug 3, 2019 1:34 PM by AurafullAlex
AurafullAlex said:
The UK's relationship maybe a casual one but it is likely 1 of the strongest casual ones Japan has at least with any western country.
The UK's relationship maybe a casual one but it is likely 1 of the strongest casual ones Japan has at least with any western country.
-_-
No
Complete overestimation of the relationship in all respects.
Aug 3, 2019 1:13 PM by huntress1013
@CrisGer_San_AA 日本ですか? 私はイギリス人です I wish you lived here in the UK rather than the US of all western countries, I know that historic circomstances plays a large part in that being the case but I do wish we had more living here in the Uk than the 60 to 80000 Japanese. As 日本が大好きです!
I am glad for what kyo Ani has done and that alot of positive news has managed to materialise out of this, they are my most relied upon and studio I would watch the majority of animes by. They are special to me as a result and so this feels like an attack on myself as well since I am very hardcore with them.
The UK's relationship maybe a casual one but it is likely 1 of the strongest casual ones Japan has at least with any of the European countries and this is emphasised by the many animes that have been based here and the most outside of Japan ax a whole, such tittles include Black Buttler, Hellsing, Detective Conan, Kiniro Mosaic, The Ancient magnus Bride, Little Witch Academia, The movie of K on!, Much of the Fate series, JoJo's Bizzare adventure and many others.
I hope that we can do more to Help Kyo Ani and さようなら to all that were killed and 頑張ってください and all the best for the kyo ani from the UK. <3
I am glad for what kyo Ani has done and that alot of positive news has managed to materialise out of this, they are my most relied upon and studio I would watch the majority of animes by. They are special to me as a result and so this feels like an attack on myself as well since I am very hardcore with them.
The UK's relationship maybe a casual one but it is likely 1 of the strongest casual ones Japan has at least with any of the European countries and this is emphasised by the many animes that have been based here and the most outside of Japan ax a whole, such tittles include Black Buttler, Hellsing, Detective Conan, Kiniro Mosaic, The Ancient magnus Bride, Little Witch Academia, The movie of K on!, Much of the Fate series, JoJo's Bizzare adventure and many others.
I hope that we can do more to Help Kyo Ani and さようなら to all that were killed and 頑張ってください and all the best for the kyo ani from the UK. <3
Aug 3, 2019 12:14 PM by AurafullAlex
The Data recovered from the server that survived on the first floor of KyoAni Studio 1 contained among other things key frames and hand drawn art possibly for upcoming planned work. This may allow that work to be passed on to be continued thus continuing the spirit of work of those lost. This is for all involved a beyond wished for chance to honor and respect that stream of creativity.
Heartfelt thanks were expressed by a representative of KyoAnif to the technical staff who achieved this miracle.
It is the key frames that contain and create the essence of a show for they are the work of either senior staff or chosen staff from the team working on each project. ....this design process is the literal creation of the soul, essence and life of the show to come. The crafting and birth of a new show and its characters is often a delicate and deeply worked over and thought on process and is essential for the birth of that new project.
If you haven't see the PA Works Series Shirobako, it gives a detailed and very accurate look at this entire process and they are a fine studio who do excellent work and have already vowed to assist KyoAni in any way they can.
Heartfelt thanks were expressed by a representative of KyoAnif to the technical staff who achieved this miracle.
It is the key frames that contain and create the essence of a show for they are the work of either senior staff or chosen staff from the team working on each project. ....this design process is the literal creation of the soul, essence and life of the show to come. The crafting and birth of a new show and its characters is often a delicate and deeply worked over and thought on process and is essential for the birth of that new project.
If you haven't see the PA Works Series Shirobako, it gives a detailed and very accurate look at this entire process and they are a fine studio who do excellent work and have already vowed to assist KyoAni in any way they can.
Jul 30, 2019 4:11 PM by CrisGer_San_AA
NTAD said:
The data server was safe and Hatta quoted Bill Pullman's speech from Independence Day.
https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/07/29/kyoto-animation-studio-1-data-fully-recoverable-japanese-government-considering-tax-breaks-for-donations
The data server was safe and Hatta quoted Bill Pullman's speech from Independence Day.
https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/07/29/kyoto-animation-studio-1-data-fully-recoverable-japanese-government-considering-tax-breaks-for-donations
Heee.👍 I also quoted the speech when I read that the Violent Evergarden premiere will go ahead as planned. Glad to see that this actually became the motto of KyoAni 😊
Jul 30, 2019 1:54 AM by huntress1013
Yes be comforted. The main Data Server with all data of work at Studio 1 KyoAni has found is safe and recoverable. So all of that work has been preserved. President Hatta said for us all who love anime and KyoAnil in the best words:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
An unprecedented atrocity has robbed many of our friends and colleagues of their bright futures and has left many deeply injured.
News from all over the world tells us that amazingly many number of people has sent us their hearts and prayers, which are like candles in the darkness, for those of us trapped in the darkness of deepest grief.
There are many friends and colleagues who are hospitalized and suffering, fighting for their lives.
Please give us some time.
We promise that Kyoto Animation will continue to create animation that help people have dreams, hope and impress them.
Kyoto animation will continue to make its employees and staff lead happy lives, and contribute to society and local community.
I assure you that Kyoto Animation will not give up, we will not go quietly into the night...we will not vanish without a fight!
Kyoto Animation Co. CEO Hideaki Hatta
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/information/?id=3080
Be Comforted. and thank you
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
An unprecedented atrocity has robbed many of our friends and colleagues of their bright futures and has left many deeply injured.
News from all over the world tells us that amazingly many number of people has sent us their hearts and prayers, which are like candles in the darkness, for those of us trapped in the darkness of deepest grief.
There are many friends and colleagues who are hospitalized and suffering, fighting for their lives.
Please give us some time.
We promise that Kyoto Animation will continue to create animation that help people have dreams, hope and impress them.
Kyoto animation will continue to make its employees and staff lead happy lives, and contribute to society and local community.
I assure you that Kyoto Animation will not give up, we will not go quietly into the night...we will not vanish without a fight!
Kyoto Animation Co. CEO Hideaki Hatta
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/information/?id=3080
Be Comforted. and thank you
Jul 29, 2019 11:52 AM by CrisGer_San_AA
The data server was safe and Hatta quoted Bill Pullman's speech from Independence Day.
https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/07/29/kyoto-animation-studio-1-data-fully-recoverable-japanese-government-considering-tax-breaks-for-donations
https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/07/29/kyoto-animation-studio-1-data-fully-recoverable-japanese-government-considering-tax-breaks-for-donations
Jul 29, 2019 10:17 AM by NTAD
Some positive news worth sharing in these moments of sadness.
The Government of Japan is considering taking measures that would enable the domestic and international donations made in favour to help the families of the victims and the studio to recover reach the intended targets. It will introduce new tax breaks for donation made in favour of Kyoto Animation. Other plans include helping Kyoto Animation recreate the young animator training programme which is now gone because of the destruction of Studio 1.
Meanwhile, Kyoto Animation has decided to give Chikai no Finale more screenings in Tokyo next month.
Sources: NHK and Official Twitter of Hibike! Euphonium.
Meanwhile, Kyoto Animation's President Hatta Hideaki requested for some time and vowed to bring Kyoto Animation back to producing animation that brought the people all around the world together to become the candle in their darkness. And he promised that Kyoto Animation will not give up without a fight.
Source: Message To The People All Over The World.
The Government of Japan is considering taking measures that would enable the domestic and international donations made in favour to help the families of the victims and the studio to recover reach the intended targets. It will introduce new tax breaks for donation made in favour of Kyoto Animation. Other plans include helping Kyoto Animation recreate the young animator training programme which is now gone because of the destruction of Studio 1.
Meanwhile, Kyoto Animation has decided to give Chikai no Finale more screenings in Tokyo next month.
Sources: NHK and Official Twitter of Hibike! Euphonium.
Meanwhile, Kyoto Animation's President Hatta Hideaki requested for some time and vowed to bring Kyoto Animation back to producing animation that brought the people all around the world together to become the candle in their darkness. And he promised that Kyoto Animation will not give up without a fight.
Source: Message To The People All Over The World.
Jul 29, 2019 6:58 AM by shanimebib
For any here who are experiencing what many of us feel about this, it is important to protect yourself from extreme content at times.... a very respected writer on these issues here has written a very thoughtful piece on this that may help.
Rika Kayama
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Kyoto Animation fans should protect themselves from trauma
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190728/p2a/00m/0na/006000c
take care friends
Rika Kayama
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Kyoto Animation fans should protect themselves from trauma
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190728/p2a/00m/0na/006000c
take care friends
Jul 29, 2019 6:37 AM by CrisGer_San_AA
I just read that someone else has succumbed to his or her injuries and that the sicko had planned this very carefully and here I thought my heart couldn't ache more than it already does.
Jul 29, 2019 1:01 AM by huntress1013
Thank you for the kind posts.
I made what i thought was my final post on this on another thread but since this was the first thread, I wished to try to explain a few things that may help to understand some things. I work in translation in my work in the anime world so I was picked to share here to try to help upon seeing the heartfelt posting by many, and the kind respect that the moderators and staff here from the start.
In Japan and in anime, we live and work in groups, family first, and co workers, and other association, and in that we show support and respect for each other by knowing and speaking that we are of the group, each of us valueable and unique but together in that way. So in an event like this the family is first, and you will not see names of those affected in news and media, for they belong first and always to those they lived wit, loved and worked with.
It is maybe hard for those from outside to Japan toi understand the depth of this, but maybe these words can help. Truly anime is created to share and bring happiness and enjoyment, and KyoAni is a shinning light of goodness in this...and has made many of our anime world finest shows and we hope will create many more.
We all share grief at the loss of fine and wonderful people who helped in this work for us, and it may be hard to know how to show that and work thru that.
You can learn and recognize their names in the credits of the shows, and in reading about them, and as you watch and rewatch the shows they made as we are doing now, show respect and send prayers. If you come to Japan, you can visit the site which will be a special park I think but is now a place of prayer for many from all over. We cannot bring them back but we can always remember them and love what they gave us.
If the Admins here allow maybe memorial watching threads for the shows can be created to allow all to share about individual KyAni Shows, and episodes. I know I often have new insights about shows I have seen many many times before. But alone or together KyoAni has asked us to help them move forward and to honor and protect the privacy of those lost. We have in our homes a Butsudan or shrine to honor loved ones and ancestors.Families honor lost loved ones at Bon. Such remembrance is part of our culture. It is up to you how you show your respect but the posting here and the outpouring of support has been a tremendous source of strength and healing already. thank you all.
Peace and Healing to all. Many of us took time off or a leave or stay of work to help and honor it is time to go on with work, but to remember and thank KyoAni lost and present and future. May it be bright and healing.
どうもありがとうございました
I made what i thought was my final post on this on another thread but since this was the first thread, I wished to try to explain a few things that may help to understand some things. I work in translation in my work in the anime world so I was picked to share here to try to help upon seeing the heartfelt posting by many, and the kind respect that the moderators and staff here from the start.
In Japan and in anime, we live and work in groups, family first, and co workers, and other association, and in that we show support and respect for each other by knowing and speaking that we are of the group, each of us valueable and unique but together in that way. So in an event like this the family is first, and you will not see names of those affected in news and media, for they belong first and always to those they lived wit, loved and worked with.
It is maybe hard for those from outside to Japan toi understand the depth of this, but maybe these words can help. Truly anime is created to share and bring happiness and enjoyment, and KyoAni is a shinning light of goodness in this...and has made many of our anime world finest shows and we hope will create many more.
We all share grief at the loss of fine and wonderful people who helped in this work for us, and it may be hard to know how to show that and work thru that.
You can learn and recognize their names in the credits of the shows, and in reading about them, and as you watch and rewatch the shows they made as we are doing now, show respect and send prayers. If you come to Japan, you can visit the site which will be a special park I think but is now a place of prayer for many from all over. We cannot bring them back but we can always remember them and love what they gave us.
If the Admins here allow maybe memorial watching threads for the shows can be created to allow all to share about individual KyAni Shows, and episodes. I know I often have new insights about shows I have seen many many times before. But alone or together KyoAni has asked us to help them move forward and to honor and protect the privacy of those lost. We have in our homes a Butsudan or shrine to honor loved ones and ancestors.Families honor lost loved ones at Bon. Such remembrance is part of our culture. It is up to you how you show your respect but the posting here and the outpouring of support has been a tremendous source of strength and healing already. thank you all.
Peace and Healing to all. Many of us took time off or a leave or stay of work to help and honor it is time to go on with work, but to remember and thank KyoAni lost and present and future. May it be bright and healing.
どうもありがとうございました
Jul 27, 2019 11:30 AM by CrisGer_San_AA
News Update
Kyoto Prefectural Police announced on Saturday, July 27, that a second man being treated in the hospital for injuries sustained in the fire has died. The death toll now stands at 35.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun
Kyoto Prefectural Police announced on Saturday, July 27, that a second man being treated in the hospital for injuries sustained in the fire has died. The death toll now stands at 35.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun
Jul 27, 2019 9:35 AM by arsonal
The death toll is now at 35. Someone else didn't make it at the hospital today.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190727/k10012011181000.html
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190727/k10012011181000.html
Jul 27, 2019 4:47 AM by DatRandomDude
this tragic event a few moments in time must not be allowed to overshadow the lives of those lost, their gifts and sharing and creativity and how much they gave to us all. Let us focus on that and keep their spirits and their gifts alive with us.
As I think most of us know that each anime show is created by a unique team gathered just for that or for its sequels at times. The staff grow very close, even if they all know each other already the shared days and nights, meeting of production schedule, the creation of the art style, dialog and VAs, the story boards and the animation cycles...and then the final steps to finish of each episode....all is like a unique family and their children that all shared in creating together is are the shows we all love. The days, and nights, weeks and months of planing, and development and completion are forever part of the finished show....but then when we watch them that is the final completion of the cycle.
Then when the shows are viewed in TV or seen later around the world, each time each of us watches them and loves them, they come alive again ..again and again. Often we re watch then over and over, and our feelings, attachment and understanding and perception of what the author of the story, the director, the art director, all of the staff and workers meant to do and did grows and so the shows live in thru each of us.
The KyoAni productions are some of the very best ever yet. So much variety and so much depth. So let us celebrate and honour the memory of all who helped, and esp those who survive and heal, and know that we have shared in what they have shared...and we can hope for the best for all to come.
:)
UPDATE: 7-26
The police have stated they have thru DNA identified all of the victims now but that the news will not be released until after funerals have been held to honor the families.
As I think most of us know that each anime show is created by a unique team gathered just for that or for its sequels at times. The staff grow very close, even if they all know each other already the shared days and nights, meeting of production schedule, the creation of the art style, dialog and VAs, the story boards and the animation cycles...and then the final steps to finish of each episode....all is like a unique family and their children that all shared in creating together is are the shows we all love. The days, and nights, weeks and months of planing, and development and completion are forever part of the finished show....but then when we watch them that is the final completion of the cycle.
Then when the shows are viewed in TV or seen later around the world, each time each of us watches them and loves them, they come alive again ..again and again. Often we re watch then over and over, and our feelings, attachment and understanding and perception of what the author of the story, the director, the art director, all of the staff and workers meant to do and did grows and so the shows live in thru each of us.
The KyoAni productions are some of the very best ever yet. So much variety and so much depth. So let us celebrate and honour the memory of all who helped, and esp those who survive and heal, and know that we have shared in what they have shared...and we can hope for the best for all to come.
:)
UPDATE: 7-26
The police have stated they have thru DNA identified all of the victims now but that the news will not be released until after funerals have been held to honor the families.
Jul 24, 2019 3:10 PM by CrisGer_San_AA
The culprit, Shinji Aoba, has much to answer for. After his trial is over, they should put him down like a sick dog.
Jul 24, 2019 1:55 PM by SwatKat1990
From Hollywood Reporter
My heart just aches.
"... Takemoto’s father told The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper on Monday that he called his son's cellphone after hearing news of the attack but couldn't reach him, and was later asked by police to help with a DNA test to identify the victims.
"I've cried and cried. I'm exhausted from crying," Takemoto's father told the paper.
At the request of KyoAni president Hideaki Hatta, the police are not releasing the names of the dead who have so far been identified.... "
"I've cried and cried. I'm exhausted from crying," Takemoto's father told the paper.
At the request of KyoAni president Hideaki Hatta, the police are not releasing the names of the dead who have so far been identified.... "
My heart just aches.
Jul 24, 2019 3:52 AM by huntress1013
Rest in peace
My condolences to their friends and families, fans, and people who'll miss them T_T
My condolences to their friends and families, fans, and people who'll miss them T_T
Jul 23, 2019 4:17 PM by SkyFullOfStars
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