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Kyoto Animation (A Silent Voice, Haruhi, Free, Clannad) on fire in premeditated arson attack. Update: Death toll reaches 36 (see staff post)
- Thread starter Twingsy
- Start date
There's a summary of the rumour here:
if anyone is unfamiliar with the studio and would like a short taste of the culture surrounding kyoani, two years ago they produced a 20-minute short film featuring their mascot and set in their offices. it encapsulates the spirit of slice-of-life and the commitment to expressive character animation that's made them so beloved and I highly recommend checking it out to get a sense of what we've lost today. unfortunately it's not streaming anywhere internationally, but it's on youtube (without subtitles though)
There was a video of the smoke - it was thick, and very very dark. Since it was a gas fire, and there was that spiral staircase thing in the center of the offices - well, it probably engulfed the top floor very, very shortly after it started. Literally didn't matter how close or far the door was - a few breaths of thick smoke, especially gas smoke, and you're going to lose consciousness. The rest is well... as we saw. Literally not enough time to even really comprehend what was happening, let alone escape.
They said it spread incredibly fast because of the gasoline, and the spiral staircase that went through all three floors. Basically the suspect lit the fire on the first floor right by the spiral staircase. He used so much gas that there was what appeared to be an "explosion", and the flames immediately shot up to the floors above. He also mentioned that there was a bunch of flammable stuff on the 2nd floor that contributed.
They're now saying he used to work at an affiliated company, and that he's had a history of cops being called to his apartment for noise complaints and shit.
Not sure if its already been posted. Maybe it should go in the OP?
Multiple times, but maybe not until they confirm KyoAni OK'd it. I don't believe it's a scam or anything, but it feels like it got rushed out (perhaps to get it out before somebody tries to pull an actual scam fund?).
I agree with one of the mod posts in that thread. Any of the chan rumours are unverifiable at this stage; it's useless to put stock in any of them.
There's a recording of a legit news report from TV Asahi posted elsewhere in that thread though (no real new information, and some distressing images from what I skimmed).
I'm weary because we have no idea how the funds are actually going to reach KyoAni and until anything official happens we shouldn't signal boost any donation things, even if they're from the western anime industry. This is the sort of thing that desperately needs that disclosure.
I mean gofundme with sentai reassures people that the money would be on hold with gofundme until they know how it would reach the victims.
If sentai can't do it all would get refunded so I think its fine to signal boost it
Say what you will about otaku and weebs. They'll throw down some cash when they need to.
The worst that will happen is GoFundMe refunds the donations..
For campaigns like this their time of maximum impact is directly after the incident while people who normally wouldn't be paying attention to this news, or even aren't fans of anime etc., are still wanting to find some way to help - KyoAni are in no position to be doing something like this at this moment which is why a third party have taken the initiative. We absolutely should spread it as wide as possible.
It's weird that the reaction on Japanese social media, news, etc. to this has been overwhelmingly positive and thankful, with people setting up guides and translations to help people donate in other languages etc but on western sites there is bizarre cynicism and negative opinions everywhere..
Also have to make special note of the Chinese fans donating, making up the majority at times and many of whom going for $100, $200. As much as there are tensions between the countries at times mutual love for cute anime conquers all.
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Yep. It's incredibly important to get the donations to help people while everyone is still paying attention.
Damn duders this news story still is messing with me man
It even made the local (as in STL) news
Genuine depressing to think about
It even made the local (as in STL) news
Genuine depressing to think about
I don't know if there's really anything I could add other than this was heartbreaking after I learned the full scope of what happened. They're the studio that got me back into anime, so it feels very personal to me.
The above mention of Miku Kadowaki is the first name we've heard today. Naoko Yamada and Tatsuya Ishihara were said to be safe yesterday, by Suguru Yamaguchi (Tamako Market music producer) and Shoji Gatoh (Fullmetal Panic author) respectively.
Since it's for hunting, I guess having great accuracy would help ensure there aren't accidents with the gun owner hitting someone or something besides their target.
What's the story here? Is it because it has to do with the subject of anime, or people are more angry with the situation?
It would help if you read the page you were on. People are just concerned the money won't go to the victims, that's all.
Best to wait for official news confirmation than to believe any rumors.
I do hope they realize how important it will be for them to remain communicative and transparent with this process. Any notion of some kind of subterfuge with handling this would backfire stupendously on them.
At least it seems that the support still flows in. They passed $1.2 Million now:
But again, for those who want to have a Direct line of support to Kyoto Animation itself. The best way to accomplish this is to purchase from their shop:
And here is a handy guide to do so. Because all these things are digital there will be no burden on workers or such. And all the proceeds are direct to KyoAni without any middleman:
This isn't a natural disaster where the country is overwhelmed by a lack of resources. This is pure criminal activity. There's nothing that a foreign state can contribute to a private entity here unfortunately. Private donations are welcomed though.
I do hope they realize how important it will be for them to remain communicative and transparent with this process. Any notion of some kind of subterfuge with handling this would backfire stupendously on them.
At least it seems that the support still flows in. They passed $1.2 Million now:
But again, for those who want to have a Direct line of support to Kyoto Animation itself. The best way to accomplish this is to purchase from their shop:
And here is a handy guide to do so. Because all these things are digital there will be no burden on workers or such. And all the proceeds are direct to KyoAni without any middleman:
Like i said on Twitter... Buying the digital art is fine but its no way directly giving to kyoani or the victims
Keep in mind most of the money re: merchandise sales would be given to the production comittee
Unless they say all profits would be given to the victims I don't think its a much better way to give money
Anyways feel free on which method to use
Sentai Filmworks isn't some shady business (afaik). I'm not sure where all the suspicion is coming from unless a). you've literally never heard of them before now or b). you're suspicious of a majority of donation-type things, which is understandable. If you're wanting to wait until you know for sure KyoAni will even accept it, or if it can even get to them, that's also understandable.
But I highly doubt they would pull any funny moves with the money and risk their business with such negative press, that would be like shooting themselves in the head.
But I highly doubt they would pull any funny moves with the money and risk their business with such negative press, that would be like shooting themselves in the head.
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Sentai Filmworks has had a working relationship with KyoAni for many years. They'd be stupid to try to scam them, especially considering how high profile this incident has been.
Update from Japan today regarding situations and about the condition of the suspect.
Japan today "More details emerge about anime studio arson attack"
Japan Times article Updated
Japan today "More details emerge about anime studio arson attack"
Japan Times article Updated
yeah, john ledford was kind of a dick yearrsss ago but he's not gonna fuck up and scam people during a tragedy.
I work in the anime industry. I know who Sentai Filmworks is! They're fine! The charity is well meaning, but it was also set up hastily without much foresight. It's those two things that get me. You can stumble into something without thinking it though and having a plan, out of a desire to do good by people. But something like this needs that foresight in my opinion, and it needs that disclosure of how exactly the money's going to get to where it's said to be going. Because there are things even the best intentioned people can't account for if they don't, well, plan something out.
They might have done this in the 12h since I've checked in on it, admittedly, but it wasn't like that when I went to bed.
Anyone thinking shady business is chasing the wrong rabbit hole though, definitely.
They did say every dollar except for gofundme facilitation fees would go to the intended recipients also money won't be touched until they are confident on reaching them
Yeah, it's kind of the same with a lot of people instantly donating food to disaster victims, but when asked, those people needed blankets more than food. It's not that they're shady, it's just the hastiness. It's not that you made a mistake by donating to Sentai's Gofundme anyway, but people are also right if they want to wait a bit.