In a new statement via their official website, Kyoto Animation has announced that they have already received much support from a lot of people. In that statement, the beleaguered studio has said that they’re doing their best to rebuild after the horrendous fire which killed 34 people. And because many people have been asking for where to donate money to help in that rebuilding, the studio has revealed their bank account details:

BANK NAME : THE KYOTO SHINKIN BANK
SWIFT : KYSBJPJZ
BRANCH NAME : MINAMI MOMOYAMA BRANCH
BRANCH NUMBER : 048
ADDRESS : 16-50, YOSAI, MOMOYAMA-CHO, HUSHIMI-KU, KYOTO-SHI, KYOTO-HU, 612-8016 , JAPAN
ACCOUNT NUMBER : 0002890
ACCOUNT HOLDER : KYOTO ANIMATION CO.,LTD., REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR, HATTA HIDEAKI

As this will be an international bank transfer for many of us who don’t have Japanese bank accounts, those who wish to donate to the bank directly should expect bank transfer fees for their donations. For more information, please visit KyoAni’s official website

The studio will be giving some of the money to those who were affected, as well as the relatives of those who passed away. Some of the money will also be going to reconstruction, and they will be revealing the information on how they will spend the donated money publicly. The company wants to be transparent when it comes to the donations, so they will post more information on their website as the donations come in.

The Fire department stated that the 41-year old male suspect was seen carrying two 2-Litre cans of gasoline to the building. He was yelling curses to the people inside the building before pouring the gasoline and lighting it up. He also shouted “Die!” as he lighted the fire. He then ran away to a nearby train station where he was captured, presumably by KyoAni staff members. The New York Times noted that of the 34 people killed, 20 of them were women.

The disgruntled suspect was confirmed to not be a staff member or even a former one. Several eyewitnesses even stated that he was claiming that Kyoto Animation ripped him off. During his interrogation, the suspect said that the studio “stole his novel”. Several Japanese news sites have also revealed the suspect’s name, though we here at So Japan have decided not to publish his name. He could be facing Arson charges, as well as murder or homicide charges, in addition to property damage and many more crimes.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

The fire has certainly ravaged the legendary animation studio, and to help them out, we suggest buying the digital print products from their official KyoAni store. The money spent would be going directly to Kyoto Animation and you would get a digital print from anime titles like “Free” and Sound! Euphonium.

Overseas’ effort,

Alternatively, Sentai Film Works, a licensee to various Kyoto Animation’s works in North America, has set up a Go Fund Me Page.

The campaign has now reached over a million US dollars in donations, well passed the original 500,000 USD goal. With the company promised that it will be donating the entire amount to KyoAni’s rebuilding.

Crunchyroll is collecting supportive messages from fans to give to KyoAni, so if you cannot donate, you can at least let the people back in Kyoto know you are thinking about them.

Kyoto Animation,

Founded in 1981, Kyoto Animation is affectionately known as Kyoani. As an animation company, they are known for their excellent storytelling technics and animation quality.

They are also credited for many works that every anime lover would have at least heard of. Just to list a few, AIR, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-On!, Lucky Star, Free!, A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden and more.

In the time of outsourced animator and cost-cutting, they stand out as one of the only to provide full-time employment to all their animating staff and crew.

We here at So Japan deeply condemn the actions of the arsonist. We would like to convey our condolences to the deceased’s mourning families, and our support to the company and its employees.

#prayforkyoani