(Photo Source: asia.nikkei.com)
Kyoto Anime Studio Hit By Arsonist
Kyoto Animation, one of Japan’s most popular anime studios located in Kyoto’s Fushimi area, was reportedly set ablaze this morning in Japan. At around 10 am, residents living near the studio alerted the police of the sound of an explosion and claimed that smoke was emitting from the building.
A man in his 40s was allegedly seen pouring a what appeared to be gasoline and setting the building on fire. He is currently in police custody. About 48 fire engines were dispatched to the area and working on trying to get the fire under control.
The Kyoto Fire department confirmed that 13 people have died, and more than ten people were found with “no vital signs” inside the building.
In response to the tragic incident, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tweeted that he was left speechless at the “gruesomeness of the crime,” and offered his condolences to the victims. Twitter users also expressed their grief and condolences on social media.
Kyoto Animation was founded in 1981 and produced animations and anime novels, comics and books. It is one of Japan’s most well-known studios and is the studio behind famous series such as “Free!”, manga series “K-On!”, and the anime TV adaptation of “Haruhi Suzumiya” and “Violet Evergarden.”
By: Maytinee Kramer
