I am absolutely horrified to learn about the recent arsonist attack on the studio building of Kyoto Animation. The studio was responsible for many great anime that brought joy to millions of people all over the world. Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, Violet Evergarden, Hyouka, and Clannad are just a few of the amazing anime they have produced over the years. They were also one of the few studios in Japan to treat their animators to stable employment with fixed salaries, which is the reason for their above average level of animation quality.
Yesterday, a man entered their studio and started spreading gasoline everywhere, and set the building, as well as himself, on fire. At this time, there have been 33 confirmed deaths and many injured. Among them were many great animators and directors that had worked for Kyoto Animation for years, such as Takemoto Yasuhiro (UPDATE: Confirmed missing, not dead), the director of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, and Hyouka. Kawanami Eisaku, Director of Free!, Nishiya Futoshi, Director of A Silent Voice, Nishiya Futoshi, character designer for HYOUKA and Nichijou, Kadowaki Miku, Animation Director for Miss kobayashi’s Dragon maid. These are the names available right now.
Among them were other animators and staff who spent their days creating anime not for the sake of money (other jobs pay better) but for the sake of love. Loving the work they did, and spreading joy to the people who loved their work.
They will be missed.
If you can, please donate to the GoFundMe setup by Sentai Filmworks titled ‘Help KyoAni Heal’. They are a closely tied company to Kyoto Animation.
