Monday, July 18, 2022

Third anniversary of Kyoto Animation arson attack

Today is the third anniversary of the horrible arson attack at Kyoto Animation (KyoAni), which resulted in 36 fatalities and 33 injured.

At 10:30 Japan time, Kyoto Animation streamed a video in memory of the victims.

(Note: This video will only be available on July 18, 2022.)

I have translated the contents below since I don't want to reproduce the video here without permission.
 
<prior to video's premiere>
Kyoto Animation Co., Ltd.
Third Anniversary Memorial Ceremony
Streaming is scheduled to start at 10:30 on July 18
 
<start of video's premiere>
Kyoto Animation Co., Ltd.
Third Anniversary Memorial Ceremony
The video will start at 10:34. Please wait a while more.

<start of memorial video at 10:34 local time>
Kyoto Animation Co., Ltd.
Third Anniversary Memorial Ceremony

Today marks three years since July 18, 2019.
We are streaming this video for everyone who have been showing us your support.

We will now observe a minute of silence.

<Observe a minute of silence>
<End of a minute of silence>
Thank you

For three years, we continued to pray in hope of seeing you again. It was a blink of an eye, but it also felt like eternity.
In times when it felt like sadness will overcome us, we were supported and guided by the days spent with our comrades and our shared passion for animation.

We wish to express our deepest prayers for our beloved comrades.

For this memorial service on the third anniversary, we have received messages from family members as well as affiliates who create animation together with us. There are also messages received from our staff. Please allow us to introduce some of these messages without the names of their authors.
 
 
From a family member:
Greeting your picture with a smile and "Good morning!", placing the same food for you during meals, and going to bed at the end of the day after saying "Good night"... this has been our daily routine since three years ago.
 
At one time, you had hit a wall. "I want to further improve my skills! I'm going to start from what I can do." Just when you were walking toward a ray of hope, an unimaginable event, both for you and me, happened.

Three years have gone by... time has stopped for you. At times, my heart would be overwhelmed by thoughts of you and my eyes will overflow with tears. I want to see you! I want to hold you!

There seems to be no end to this sadness... it is really okay for me to try to get over this? As I think about you and cry when I want to, I imagine you creating animation with your comrades. I feel you are always beside me, watching over us.

Thank you to everyone who has been giving us your support.

 
From an affiliate:
I wish to express my deepest condolences.
 
Three years have passed since the event that cannot be put into words.
 
You continue to be with us, no matter how many days have gone by. 

Our work is an amazing work that allows us to create something treasured by somebody out there. Even today, the animation that you have meticulously created is bringing smiles to someone, touching their hearts, and pushing them forward.

This is the same for works that will be created. Bringing people together as they inspire each other to do better, these works that carry on your aspirations will likely also be something deeply treasured by somebody out there tomorrow.

Even today, everyone remains together as fellow comrades. There is nothing more heartening. Your aspirations light our path like bright, shining stars. And we will continue to walk right down this path.
 
 
From a staff:
You always gave me courage when I had problems.
 
Looking at you go about work without wavering has encouraged me so many times in the past.

Although a quiet person, when it comes to animation, you would talk passionately about the interesting points of a work or the kind of works you want to make. I was surprised by this gap, and the time spent talking with you was really interesting.

I am here today because of the days spent with you.

I will never forget you. I hope you will let me continue to consult you when I am troubled.

Please watch over us.

<end of messages>
We wish to express our deepest gratitude for your continued support.
We believe in the power of animation and will continue to create works together with everyone.
We look forward to your support.
 
July 18, 2022, Kyoto Animation
 
Kyoto Animation Co., Ltd.
Third Anniversary Memorial Ceremony
The video has ended.
Thank you.
 
<end of video> 

List of 35 victims who appeared in credit roll of Violet Evergarden the Movie
 
News article of memorial service:
Kyodo News video of the memorial service that took place at the site of Studio No. 1.




Posted by Teck at 7/18/2022 11:27:00 AM 0 comments

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Sunday, July 17, 2022

Violet Evergarden Piano Concert 2022

Back in April, there was an announcement of an event "Though Seasons Change ~Violet Evergarden Piano Memories~ Piano Concert" to commemorate the launch of the piano album "Though Seasons Change - Violet Evergarden Piano Memories". I had tried and failed to get a ticket during the first round of balloting, but got lucky and managed to get a ticket when it was opened for general sales.

The concert itself was held on July 16 and 17, 2022 at Kawaguchiko Enkei Hall, which can house up to 100 people. There are two sessions each day, with Sato Koichi (who performed the pieces in the piano album) playing at the afternoon session of each day, and Morioka Shiho playing at the evening session each day. Since I already have the piano album, I thought I would listen to Morioka's performance instead, so I got the ticket for the evening session on July 16.

Well, it turned out to be... wet. It was raining when I attended the orchestra concert in 2021. This time, there was a storm. It was a miracle I made it to and fro in one piece, especially with the heavy storm during the return at night on poorly lit expressways.

The hall itself is in Yamanashi Prefecture, which is also the setting for Yuru Camp. In fact, there was a Yuru Camp: Movie event on the very same day, and during a break during the drive there, I stopped by a store which was selling Yuru Camp snacks.

On the way, I also visited Asama Shrine, which was about 10 minutes by car from the concert hall. Except that it wasn't any fun visiting a shrine in the rain.



There were some really really huge Japanese cypress tress at the shrine.

The concert venue itself was a small and cozy place.

Made of wood and concrete, it has a dome roof.

This was the piano used for the performance.


The performance itself took place in three broad parts. First were mainly pieces from the anime series and Gaiden movie. This was followed by a 15-minute break, and the second part which was pieces from the 2020 movie. Finally, music producer Saito Shigeru came out to talk a bit about this event and showed an video of an interview with composer Evan Call.

Morioka Shiho performed these pieces during the first part:
  1. Theme of Violet Evergarden
  2. Sincerely
  3. A Doll's Beginning
  4. A Simple Mission
  5. Another Sunny Day 
  6. Back in Business
  7. The Voice in My Heart
  8. Across the Violet Sky
  9. Always Watching Over You
  10. Letters From Heaven
  11. Wherever You Are, Wherever You May Be
  12. Fractured Heart
  13. What It Means To Love
  14. One Last Message
  15. Violet's Letter
  16. Michishirube
  17. Violet and Isabella
  18. Amy
 
After the break, she played these pieces during the second part:
  1. Discovering the Past
  2. The Legacy of Violet Evergarden
  3. A New Era Begins
  4. A Young Boy's Last Wish
  5. The Hardships of Gilbert Bougainvillea
  6. Tears in the Rain
  7. Violet's Final Letter
  8. Echo Through Eternity
  9. Her Spirit Lives On
  10. WILL
  11. Violet Snow
"Sincerely", "Michishirube", "Amy", "WILL", and "Violet Snow" are not in the piano album, so it was nice to be able to hear the piano versions. I like how the first part played out with "Sincerely" and "Michishirube" being used at the start and end, just like their places as the opening and ending themes for the anime series. As well as "Amy" being used to close the first part, since it was also the theme song for the Gaiden movie. And just like the 2020 movie, "WILL" came in at the credit roll, and "Violet Snow" was used to round of the entire performance, just like the orchestra concert.

When the concert ended, the rain had let up a bit.

Or so I thought. Because the moment I reached the expressway, it poured like a waterfall. The two-hour drive back in the storm with poor visibility, poorly lit expressways, and trucks that sped past me was... harrowing.

Personally, I think Morioka Shiho's rendition of the pieces was not as good as the pieces you hear in the piano album (played by Sato Koichi). I think this could be due to her age (being in her early 20s), which means she lacks a bit of the life experiences to be able to fully convey all those emotions in these pieces. Also, her slender arms also meant that some of the parts, which required a bit more power, were somewhat lacking. But I also tell myself that I have my own copies of the piano album (yes... don't ask me how many I bought 😅) and can always listen to the rendition by Sato Koichi (which I really like).

Looking forward to the next event!

My overall thoughts on Violet Evergarden The Movie.

Events:
 
Translations of short stories:
Gilbert Bougainvillea and the Fleeting Dream (unofficial translation of "ギルベルト・ブーゲンビリアと儚い夢")
The Starry Night and the Lonely Two (unofficial translation of 星降りの夜とさみしいふたり)
Diethard Bougainvillea's If (unofficial translation of ディートフリート・ブーゲンビリアIf) 
The Tailor and the Auto-Memories Doll (unofficial translation of 仕立て屋と自動手記人形)
 
Insights on the movie:
 
Audio commentary notes:

 
All posts related to Violet Evergarden.

Posted by Teck at 7/17/2022 04:38:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Laid-Back Camp: Movie (映画 ゆるキャン△)

Laid-Back Camp: Movie (映画 ゆるキャン△; also Yuru Camp: Movie) opened in Japan on July 1, 2022, and I duly made my way to catch it on opening day. In fact, the first show at the local theatre, because they were handing out a special volume 13.5 of the manga.

Wait, why is this post on July 12 if I really went to catch the movie on July 1? Well, I was thinking of waiting till I watched the movie for a second time before writing about it. But since my first viewing of the movie on July 1, almost two weeks have gone by without a second chance to watch it, so I thought I better get down to writing something and update it later when I watch the movie a second time. And yes, I will be watching it again, since I still haven't used my pre-sale ticket.

The story is actually an original one based on the characters in the Laid-Back Camp manga/anime series, one that takes place when they have grown up and are went their separate ways, pursuing different jobs. Rin is now working at a publisher in Nagoya, while Nadeshiko has moved to Tokyo and works at an outdoor goods store. Chiaki used to work in Tokyo but quit her job and moved back to Yamanashi, where she works for the local tourism promotion board. Aoi is still in Yamanashi, working as an elementary school teacher, and Saito has moved to Yokohama, where she works at a pet salon.

The broad story brings these five girls back together to work on a project: turn an abandoned site into a campsite using their camping knowledge. Rin, being the most knowledgeable about camping, is the leader of this group, although it is officially a project of the local tourism promotion board where Chiaki works. Of course, no story is complete without a bit of challenges and setbacks for the team, and we see that here too, when a surprise find at the campsite derailed the project. But the girls eventually found a way to get back on track.

I really like how the producers of this movie managed to come up with an original "X years later" movie that brings back the familiar characters, but in an older, more mature way, yet still very much themselves. Saito's dog Chikuwa is now a lot older and it is hinted that it won't have much longer to go, and it is heartwarming (and a bit sad) to see how Saito handles this. I guess a large part of this movie is about moving on. Well, they are no longer teenage high-school girls now; they are working adults, each having to fend for themselves. Rin no longer rides her cute Vino scooter; she has moved to her grandfather's bigger motorcycle. But... spoiler! The cute Vino does make a special appearance in the movie.

In the end, I think Laid-Back Camp: Movie shows how it is possible to have a sequel "years later" story for all those anime/manga series based on high-school kids. I really hope to see HTT from K-On! make a come back as a band for a final gig in such a sequel.

Posted by Teck at 7/12/2022 01:47:00 PM 0 comments

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Wednesday, July 06, 2022

Seiko's Violet Evergarden watch

Seiko is making a Violet Evergarden watch. Or rather, two. One with a metal band, and another with a leather band.

(Picture source: IEI)

Official announcement on Violet Evergarden website (in Japanese)

There will only be 1,000 made for each design, and customers are limited to buying one watch (I think it is one watch per design). Each watch costs 39,800 yen (43,780 yen with taxes) and shipping is scheduled to take place in early September 2022 for the first batch of orders.



(Picture source: IEI)
 
The compass rose in the centre symbolises that Violet will go anywhere her customers desire. The second hand's design is based on her parasol. The knob is based on her brooch, and there are violet flowers at the 6 o'clock position.
 
You can place orders here: https://iei.jp/violet-evergarden/
While not stated, I think shipping is within Japan only, so those living outside Japan will need to use a forwarding service.
 
It is nice to see that such collaborations with the Violet Evergarden franchise are still taking place after the end of Violet's story in the 2020 movie. Looking forward to more collaborations!
 
My overall thoughts on Violet Evergarden The Movie.

Events:
 
Translations of short stories:
Gilbert Bougainvillea and the Fleeting Dream (unofficial translation of "ギルベルト・ブーゲンビリアと儚い夢")
The Starry Night and the Lonely Two (unofficial translation of 星降りの夜とさみしいふたり)
Diethard Bougainvillea's If (unofficial translation of ディートフリート・ブーゲンビリアIf) 
The Tailor and the Auto-Memories Doll (unofficial translation of 仕立て屋と自動手記人形)
 
Insights on the movie:
 
Audio commentary notes:

 
All posts related to Violet Evergarden.

Posted by Teck at 7/06/2022 02:23:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, July 04, 2022

Kyoto Animation to hold memorial service on July 18, 2022

Like last year, Kyoto Animation will be holding a memorial service from 10:30 to 10:40 for those who passed away in the fire of July 18, 2019.

Official press release from Kyoto Animation
 
As usual, the public is being asked to refrain from visiting the site of the fire on the anniversary itself as well as the days prior and after the anniversary.
 
The memorial service will be broadcast live on KyoAni's YouTube channel, and the video will also be available for the rest of the day.

Let's observe the request from KyoAni and honour the deceased together online.

Posted by Teck at 7/04/2022 05:31:00 PM 0 comments

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