A GoFundMe page, titled Help KyoAni Heal, has been set up following news on Thursday morning of the deadly arson attack on Kyoto Animation studio in the Uji suburb of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan.
Officials have confirmed that 33 people died in the attack, and 36 injured have been taken to the hospital. Some of the injured were in critical condition.
According to police, about 70 people were believed to have been inside the building when a 41-year-old man broke in and started the fire by spraying flammable liquid and then igniting it, Monsters and Critics reported.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_pyIbi0oqs
Police said they have arrested the suspected arsonist, who was taken to hospital after being injured in the incident. Eyewitnesses said the man looked angry and upset before he set the building ablaze early on Thursday morning.
Yashihiro Takemoto is still missing and while some have said that he died in the #KyoAni fire, that has NOT been confirmed #KyotoAnimation #kyoanifire #kyotofire https://t.co/exzkDUSBry
— Monsters and Critics (@monstersandcrit) July 18, 2019
A shocking attack on Kyoto Animation has left at least 33 dead and even more in the hospital – Here's what we know about the fire devastating the popular #anime studio #KyoAniStrong #KyotoAnimation #kyotofire #kyoanifire #KyoAni https://t.co/Gl3S4UGhcs
— Monsters and Critics (@monstersandcrit) July 18, 2019
Sentai Filmworks sets up GoFundMe page
Sentai Filmworks, a U.S. licensing company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on Japanese anime and films, set up a GoFundMe page titled Help KyoAni Heal hours after news of the deadly arson attack broke.
“Sentai Filmworks hopes to help the KyoAni team during this time of need and asks that you join us in this endeavor,” writes John Ledford, President of Sentai Filmworks on the GoFundMe page.
It is clear that our friends at Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) have suffered greatly… we wanted to take action to help however we can. That is the purpose of this Gofundme effort.
Your pledges and the funds we raise are intended to provide the most direct, meaningful assistance possible to the victims of this heartbreaking tragedy. We are coordinating with others in the Japanese anime industry within Japan to ensure that funds collected reach those in need.
The response to the appeal by Sentai Filmworks has been overwhelming. At the time of writing — 12 hours after the page was set up — the Help KyoAni Heal fundraising campaign has surpassed the original target of $750,000, having raised more than $830,000.
The outpouring of sorrow and grief over the tragic incident in which 33 people died has also been overwhelming on social media.
Kyoto Animation is a beloved, organized, & independent studio full of talented people who’ve worked/helped tirelessly on these gorgeously animated & heartwarming shows that spread joy to millions. My condolences to all the brilliant staffs & their families. pic.twitter.com/B2lbrYf1qh
— ThrowMyselfAtTheSun (@pridewrathtoday) July 18, 2019
Some sick fuck used gasoline to light the Kyoto Animation studio on fire, killing some and injuring many.
How any human person could do something so horrific is beyond me.
My condolences to all those hard-working employees and their families who were affected in this tragedy. https://t.co/TfTJKY4O5e— Joey (@TheAn1meMan) July 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/TimmyTubeHD/status/1151907138056441857
My deepest condolences to all people affected by the fire at Kyoto Animation, I love so much of the studios work and hope to see them overcome this #PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/6UfLBCAhAo
— Geecey (@_Geecey_) July 18, 2019
Kyoto Animation is one of the best studios out there, which made so many of my favorite anime.
My deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
May they Rest In Peace and always be remembered. #PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/HlaUm9BWSu
— Es (@bunilla_205) July 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/JulianZomparel1/status/1151883479564656642
My condolences to Kyoto Animation for the tragedy that happened this morning.https://t.co/AUt9l4G2Nv#PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/z8lQ9x8X10
— Jacob Camil (@JacobCamil) July 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/gereck_burton/status/1151889777098207232
https://twitter.com/acoolstraw/status/1151898263701864448
https://twitter.com/sobabobawoba/status/1151903847075307521
https://twitter.com/gugah151/status/1151884633216344064
I would like to take a moment of silence for the victims from the arson attack in the Kyoto Animation as well as thanking them for creating such legendary anime shows and movies. Deep condolences to the family and friends of the vicims🙏🏻😔 #PrayForKyoani #prayforkyotoanimation pic.twitter.com/ksgeW700ZD
— acid ♡ (@acidicsalt) July 18, 2019
Sentai Filmworks’ best known licensed anime series include titles by Kyoto Animation, such as K-On!! and Clannad.