Arson attack on Kyoto animation studio leaves at least 33 dead, dozens injured

Japan and much of the world is in shock after an arsonist entered a Kyoto animation studio, doused the interior with gasoline and set it on fire, killing at least 33 people and injuring dozens of other people who were in the building.

Kyoto Animation Company (KyoAni), where the attack took place, creates anime and manga, much of it about teenage school life. They are known for paying their animation staff a regular salary, unlike other anime houses that pay a stress-inducing per-frame rate. It's suspected that famed director Yasuhiro Takemoto is among the dead.

Just found out that Yasuhiro Takemoto who directed Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu, The Second Raid, Amagi Brilliant Park, Hyouka, and Ms. Kobayashi's Dragon Maid was among the deceased at KyoAni. I cannot begin to imagine what his family is going through. RIP pic.twitter.com/JoTd4RtjKs

- AnimetalViking (@russellgainsfo1) July 18, 2019

The alleged attacker, who survived, is a 41-year-old man. Witnesses say he was yelling about his work being copied or stolen by KyoAni. He did not work for the company.

"I'm speechless," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a tweet. "I pray for the souls of those who have passed away. I would like to express my condolences to all of the injured and wish them a speedy recovery."

(Tweet translated from Japanese to English)

Image: Kyoto Animation Company