2 Years On, KyoAni Arson Attack Victims Remembered

Kyoto, July 18 (Jiji Press)--Victims of the July 2019 arson attack on a studio of Kyoto Animation Co. were remembered in a memorial ceremony on Sunday to mark the second anniversary of the deadly incident. About 70 people, including victims' family members and Hideaki Hatta, president of the company, better known by anime fans as KyoAni, attended the ceremony, held at the site of the heavily damaged No. 1 studio in Fushimi Ward of Kyoto, western Japan. The ceremony, sponsored by the company, started around 10:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m.), the time of the attack two years ago, and participants offered a minute of silent prayers for the victims. In an address, Hatta said: "This is a truly sad incident that is beyond description. I hate the culprit." "I am really sorry for having been unable to protect you. I offer my heartfelt apology," he said. "We will never forget you. You always provide emotion support to us." On July 18, 2019, the suspect, Shinji Aoba, poured gasoline at the studio and set it on fire, leaving 36 people, including anime creators, dead and 32 injured. Aoba, now 43, himself suffered severe burns and was hospitalized for about 10 months. He was indicted in December last year on murder and other charges. Kyoto Animation is currently reconstructing itself with a workforce of 180 after losing many experienced employees in the arson attack. A first-year employee said in a statement, "I will inherit the history and passion for production passed down (at the company) and connect them to the future." The company asked fans not to visit the studio site in an effort to prevent novel coronavirus infections, as it did last year. A 47-year-old corporate worker from Minoo, neighboring Osaka Prefecture, put his hands together near the site. Noting that KyoAni works were part of his life, he said, "I haven't gotten over the sorrow yet even after two years." After the ceremony, Hatta held a news conference. "After two years, my feelings (about the victims) have not changed at all," he said. "We are making headway by a millimeter as we create new works." Also on Sunday, Kyoto Animation released a 13-minute memorial video on YouTube, in which messages from victims' family members and anime production staff members were shown anonymously. "I want to see you. I've been wishing ever since that day, although I know this is an unfulfilled wish," one family member said. A staff member said, "The thoughts and passion of all of you will continue to be delivered to many people in the world through the works." END