Kyoani News Thread
We wanted to make this post to help spread the news/awareness of the horrible situation in Japan and make an effort to combat some distasteful misinformation and theories going around about the event. We’ll be updating and editing this post as more information comes to light. If you wish to support Kyoani in this time of need, go donate to either the GoFundMe by Sentai Filmworks or order products directly from them. As a note, after the current round of orders, they won’t be taking anymore, and future items will be postponed for the time being. However, downloading digitally is still an available option if you still want to support them directly. If you or someone you know happens to live in Japan, here are a list of sites that are accepting donations for Kyoani. On a more recent note, a direct deposit account has been set up by Kyoani on July 24, and it is the most straightforward way to aid them financially. Said donations will go to the victims’ families, the remaining staff, and towards rebuilding the company.
More Details (will be updated as much as possible):
On July 18, 2019, Kyoani Studio 1 was set on fire at 10:30 A.M. and was put out by 1 P.M.
The perpetrator in question is a male in his forties according to his ID (out of respect for the victims and their loved ones, we will not be adding any other details in regards to the perpetrator)
The attack left 34 people dead, 35 people in the hospital, 7 uninjured, and 5 missing. Ten of the people who were reported to be injured were in critical condition.
The Kyoani arson attack has been reported to be one of the deadliest massacres in Japanese history post-World War II and the deadliest building fire in eighteen years. (Sources 1, 2)
By the next day, it was reported that all the rescue efforts were finished and no one was left in the building.
Kyoani President Hatta made a statement commenting on some of the victims and mentioned that he has plans to demolish the building, replacing it with a park and a monument: "Thinking about staff and locals, there's people who don't want to see such a ghastly sight. I want to take care of it quickly."
Hatta has also stated that he and the remaining staff wish to continue to press on for those who passed and so as to not waste their carefully crafted work. (Sources: 1, 2)
Hatta also mentioned that they’re taking measures to help the workers and families who are showing signs of PTSD. (Source)
Kyoani’s attorney, Daisuke Okeda, also made a statement where he expressed his condolences to friends and relatives of the victims, as well as the fact that he will be the spokesman for Kyoani from now on.
Voice actor Mamoru Miyano has also showed his support for Kyoani in a moment of grief at his recent concert. Even during his performance, he seemed to be in pain, as his role as Rin (Free!) was very dear to him. (Source)
Kyoto Prefectural Police have established a 100-person team of officers trained in victim care who will work with and support the victims and their families. (Source)
The CEO of Takasu Clinic has announced that any and all of the reconstructive surgery treatments the victims need will be free.
President Hatta has also made another statement about the incident that was aired on TV. The translation can be read here.
The town of Toyosato, where the school model for K-On is located, has given a statement on the incident. Other similar locations have also shown support for Kyoani as well, such as Demachiyanagi Shopping Street, the inspiration for the Usagiyama Shopping Street in Tamako Market, which has produced calligraphy expressing condolences to Kyoani. Ogaki, the model city for A Silent Voice, and Iwami, the city that the setting of Free! is modeled after, have both set up donation boxes.
Despite rather popular belief and speculation, the Kyoani Studio 1 building had sufficient fire safety measures. However, fire safety regulations for offices is not meant to deal with fire bombing, hence the devastating result. (Source)
One of the survivors of the incident recalled his experience during the event and how he had to jump out of the building in order to escape. (Source)
The Fire Department Chief at the Kyoto City Council confirmed that the Studio 1 building had substantial fire safety measures prior to the incident. In fact, they even received an award for said measures in 2014. (Source 1, 2)
Family members of the victims have requested for the public to not further share lists of the deceased, misinformation, or speculation of any kind. Please respect them and their wishes.
An autopsy report on the 34 deceased was released, but no names were given. (Source)
Kyoani has officially announced that they have submitted a request to both the police and media to refrain from releasing names/a list of the victims until funerals have been held out of consideration for grieving loved ones. (Sources: 1, 2)
General Sources Used:
Kastel’s Twitter Thread
Ultimatemegax’s Twitter Thread
