Families and staff held a private memorial ceremony Saturday at the site of Kyoto Animation's first studio to honor victims of a 2019 arson [1].
The gathering marks seven years since the attack, highlighting the enduring trauma and the studio's ongoing efforts to preserve the creative legacy of those lost.
About 140 people attended the ceremony in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City [2]. The group observed a moment of silence at the vacant lot where the first studio once stood [1], [2]. The 2019 attack killed 36 people and injured 32 others [1].
President Hatta Shinichiro said during the event that the studio has a responsibility to honor the deceased. He said it is important to carefully inherit the works, thoughts, and attitudes toward craftsmanship left behind by those who died [1].
Family members also shared reflections on how the victims continue to exist through their art. One family member said that even if names disappear from the end credits, they can still meet the victims through the techniques, feelings, and dedication preserved within the works [2].
The event served as a private space for grief and remembrance, a stark contrast to the public nature of the animation industry's global success. The site in Fushimi Ward remains a focal point for the community's collective memory of the tragedy [2].
“It is important to carefully inherit the works, thoughts, and attitudes toward craftsmanship left behind by those who died.”
The seven-year anniversary underscores the long-term psychological impact of the 2019 attack on the Japanese animation industry. By centering the memorial on the 'inheritance' of creative spirit and technique, Kyoto Animation is framing the recovery process not just as a rebuilding of infrastructure, but as a commitment to maintaining the artistic standards of the lost staff.
