July 18 was probably the saddest day for all anime fans as Kyoto Animation (popularly known as KyoAni0 was hit with an arson attack. A lot of people were injured, while some have passed. Many have mourned for the animation studio is home to the creation of popular anime series and franchises like Hibike Euphonium, K-On!, Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, Violet Evergarden, and so on. Around 70 workers were in the building when the incident happened. Half the workers have passed away while 33 were injured.
The anime fan community immediately responded and wanted to donate as much as they can to have studio come back on its feet. On July 25, a special bank account was created specifically for donations.
To those who still want to send their donations to Kyoto Animation as a way to help them get back up, you have until this week as they have recently announced that they will be closing the said donation account. A statement was posted on the studio’s official website and reads:
“Five months have passed since the fire. Since then, we have received kindhearted support and encouragement from around the world, and our company is now focusing on our animated work which is scheduled to debut in theaters this coming spring, with each division putting their heart and soul into the project in order to reach as many viewers as possible. Meanwhile, through our professional training program we are training and cultivating professionals who will carry Kyoto Animation into its next generation.
The wounds of the fire are not the sort of things that heal with time, but thanks to our partners and people around the world, Kyoto Animation is able to go on fighting to contribute to society and the local community, creating works that provide the world with hopes and dreams, and allow our employees and staff to achieve the happiness they seek.
Once again, we wish to express our deep gratitude.”
As of this time, over 3.2 billion (USD $29.6 million) has been deposited to Kyoto Animation and the said donation account is expected to close on December 27 (Japan time). As of this post, you still have a few days left to make your donations. Details can be found below:
Bank Name : The Kyoto Shinkin Bank
SWIFT : KYSBJPJZ
Branch name : Minami Momoyama Branch
Branch number : 048
Address : 16-50, Yosai, Momoyama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu, 612-8016, Japan
Account number: 0002890
Account holder: Kyoto Animation Co., Ltd.
Representative director: Hideaki Hatta
Once the account is closed, a committee will then be set up to handle and distribute the funds evenly to bereaved family members and the survivors. Kyoto Animation has officially stated that they will not use the funds in any way to help prop up the business again. “Please be aware that, on principle, we cannot accept any direct financial support [for the company] in relation to the fire.”, they said.
Aside from sending money to the mentioned bank details above, you may also help support Kyoto Animation through buying their official merchandise and supporting their upcoming animation projects. Although some of them are delayed, at least we know the fact that this animation studio will continue and start again after this devastating tragedy.
On the talk of donations, Sentai Filmworks, a company notable for licensing and distributing number of Kyoto Animation’s anime shows and movies in the West has made their own donation drive as a way to support the company. When the company opened a GoFundMe page specifically for this purpose, they were met with mixed criticism as online users stated that it would be best that the donations will be given to KyoAni directly instead of through Sentai Filmworks.
However, Sentai Filmworks’ official Twitter account confirmed recently that they have sent the “final disbursement of reserved funds” to Kyoto Animation last November 21. The said GoFundMe the campaign has raised a total of $2,367,030 and a representative from Kyoto Animation has confirmed receipt of the donations.
The Kyoto Animation fire was the first tragedy of its kind in the anime industry and just thinking about it still gives the feeling of sadness and fear. Let’s hope that there will be stricter protocols to follow in the company so that such individuals going inside the studio will not happen again. Also, we look forward to Kyoto Animation’s comeback offering another great line-up of productions for every anime fan out there. We wish the studio a speedy recovery and hope the people affected in this tragedy will all get the justice they deserve.
Source: SoraNews24