Latest news with #KyotoAnimationCo.
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Kyoani Arson Victim's Picture Book to Become Anime Series; Former Colleagues Aim to Carry on Creator's Legacy
KYOTO — Friends and former colleagues of Yoshiji Kigami, an animator who died in the July 2019 arson attack at a Kyoto animation studio, are pushing ahead with a plan to turn a children's book he wrote into an anime series. The project intends to carry on the legacy of Kigami, who was determined to create works 'that touch the hearts of children.' Kigami was 61 when he died in the blaze at the studio of Kyoto Animation Co., or KyoAni. 'Kigami was a genius. There was nothing he couldn't draw,' said Toshiyuki Honda, an animator at Tokyo-based anime production company Ekura Animal. 'Even now when I start on a new project, I wonder how he would have drawn it.' In 1982, Honda, Kigami and several others established the company that would eventually become Ekura Animal. Kigami also wrote a picture book titled, 'Small Jam and Opp the Goblin.' Published in 1989, the book tells the tale of an apprentice magician boy called Jam who grows as a person while he considers 'what courage really is' during his interactions with a goblin named Opp. In the postscript, Kigami wrote that he 'made it a point to create works that broaden children's dreams.' The company considered turning the story into an anime, and Kigami created manuscripts for seven sequels and prepared sketches for the project. However, Kigami moved to KyoAni in 1991 and plans for the anime faded away. After Kigami's death in the attack, Honda reached out to animators and other contacts in the industry. They worked together to create a 17-minute anime film version of the book, which was completed in 2024. The credits named Kigami as the work's original author. Kigami's wife and mother conveyed their thanks to the production team for including his name. Honda and Ekura Animal employees are now planning to create a new anime series based on the book and manuscripts Kigami wrote, along with original stories they created. Honda, 74, has asked individuals and companies in Japan and overseas for donations to help cover production costs. 'I hope we can make anime in which the children watching will feel friendship and compassion,' Honda said.
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Kyoto Animation arson marks 6th anniv. with death penalty finalized
KYOTO (Kyodo) -- Kyoto Animation Co. held a memorial on Friday to honor the 36 victims of the 2019 arson attack, with families renewing the memories of their loved ones on the anniversary day that came months after the assailant dropped an appeal to overturn his death sentence. "Works that have been left (by the victims) are still moving the hearts of many people. You have clearly made a mark on the world, and we are proud of that," a representative of the families said in a message read out in a ceremony at the site in Kyoto where the burned down No. 1 Studio once stood. About 150 people, including bereaved family members and Kyoto Animation President Hideaki Hatta, attended the event that was held privately. A total of 36 sunflowers -- the same number of the victims -- were laid at an altar under a tent. The deadly attack delivered a heavy blow to Kyoto Animation, often referred to as "KyoAni" and known worldwide for producing hit anime works including "K-On!" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya." Hatta said in his speech at the ceremony that he feels the absence of the victims as their peers continue their work. The company, as it did last year, asked fans to refrain from coming to the site of the studio on the day of the anniversary. But it expressed its appreciation for their continued support. The assailant, Shinji Aoba, 47, was sentenced to death by the Kyoto District Court in January 2024 for the arson that triggered one of Japan's worst mass murder cases, after the court found him mentally competent to be held accountable for his crimes. Aside from those killed, 32 others suffered injuries of various degrees. The capital punishment was finalized after Aoba submitted documents to drop his appeal in January this year, but his lawyers contested the validity. In July last year, Kyoto Animation set up a monument to remember the victims at a park in Uji, a city in Kyoto Prefecture where the company's headquarters is located. It also plans to build a monument at the site of the No. 1 Studio.
Kyodo News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Kyoto Animation arson marks 6th anniv. with death penalty finalized
KYOTO - Kyoto Animation Co. held a memorial on Friday to honor the 36 victims of the 2019 arson attack, with families renewing the memories of their loved ones on the anniversary day that came months after the assailant dropped an appeal to overturn his death sentence. "Works that have been left (by the victims) are still moving the hearts of many people. You have clearly made a mark on the world, and we are proud of that," a representative of the families said in a message read out in a ceremony at the site in Kyoto where the burned down No. 1 Studio once stood. About 150 people, including bereaved family members and Kyoto Animation President Hideaki Hatta, attended the event that was held privately. A total of 36 sunflowers -- the same number of the victims -- were laid at an altar under a tent. The deadly attack delivered a heavy blow to Kyoto Animation, often referred to as "KyoAni" and known worldwide for producing hit anime works including "K-On!" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya." Hatta said in his speech at the ceremony that he feels the absence of the victims as their peers continue their work. The company, as it did last year, asked fans to refrain from coming to the site of the studio on the day of the anniversary. But it expressed its appreciation for their continued support. The assailant, Shinji Aoba, 47, was sentenced to death by the Kyoto District Court in January 2024 for the arson that triggered one of Japan's worst mass murder cases, after the court found him mentally competent to be held accountable for his crimes. Aside from those killed, 32 others suffered injuries of various degrees. The capital punishment was finalized after Aoba submitted documents to drop his appeal in January this year, but his lawyers contested the validity. In July last year, Kyoto Animation set up a monument to remember the victims at a park in Uji, a city in Kyoto Prefecture where the company's headquarters is located. It also plans to build a monument at the site of the No. 1 Studio.
5 days ago
- Entertainment
6 Yrs On, Victims of Fatal KyoAni Arson Attack Remembered
News from Japan Society Jul 18, 2025 13:26 (JST) Kyoto, July 18 (Jiji Press)--A ceremony was held in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Friday to mourn the victims of a deadly arson attack on Kyoto Animation Co.'s No. 1 studio six years ago. "United as one, we will continue to create our works together," Hideaki Hatta, president and CEO of the anime production company known as KyoAni, said in a statement. Some 150 people including bereaved relatives and employees attended the ceremony at the former site of the studio, offering silent prayers for the victims. "I believe you are still making animations even in the sky," a bereaved parent whose daughter was killed in the attack said in a memorial speech. "They must be cheerful, enjoyable and wonderful pieces," the parent added. "I will never forget you." In his speech, Hatta noted that the company has created seven animated films and four television anime series in the past six years. "We want to continue creating works that we can be proud of," he said. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
