Almost two weeks after the tragic arson perpetuated against popular anime studio Kyoto Animation, we get a mixture of good and bad news: the incident has sadly claimed a new victim last Saturday evening. According to news reports, the newest casualty was a male employee in his 20s who was trying to recover from serious burns. The death toll now stands at 35. Let us all hope that this number does not rise anymore.
However, there is still hope in this bleak situation, something that Kyoto Animation president Hideaki Hatta imparted on the studio’s official statement released Monday. The heartfelt message “to everyone around the world” was written in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, German, and English. The full message in English reads:
”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”
Adding to the hopeful message of this statement is the good news that all data stored in a server located in the burned Studio 1 building were all fully recovered without damage. According to KyoAni’s lawyer Daisuke Okeda, the server containing digital versions of production materials from past and ongoing works was found safe, as it was surrounded by thick concrete. As such, the tragic fire and the water used to put it out did not affect the server.
Many perished in the fire, but with this news their hard work will live on as a legacy. May all the 35 victims rest in peace.