Today is the second anniversary of the horrible arson attack at Kyoto Animation (KyoAni), which resulted in 36 fatalities and 33 injured.
At 10:34 Japan time, Kyoto Animation streamed a video in memory of the victims.
(Note: This video will only be available on July 18, 2021.)I have translated the contents below since I don't want to reproduce the video here without permission.
<The video will start at 10:34. Please wait a while more.>
Two years have passed since July 18, 2019.
We were preparing to create an opportunity for everyone to gather in memory of those departed, but due to COVID-19, we decided to mourn using this video. We hope you understand.
<Observe a minute of silence>
<End of a minute of silence>
Two years ago on this day, we suddenly lost comrades who made anime together with us.
Nothing can wash away the pain, and we continue to feel the strong presence of our comrades even as time flies by.
In these two years, we never forgot the treasured memories we had with them.
Our condolences.
For this memorial service on the second anniversary, we have received messages from affiliates, family members, and our staff.
Please allow us to introduce some of these messages without the names of their authors.
From an affiliate:
As we go about our work, your names naturally turn up in our conversations. Even today, we continue to create works together with you.We can no longer talk face to face, but we can talk through our hearts. "What should I do in this case?" "How should I deal with this problem?" Such words come naturally.
Even today, your passions continue to live on in us. Your presence and the spirit you left behind. They continue to support us today. Please continue to watch over us. We will do our best to create works that you can be proud of.
From a family member:
The life that I thought would continue forever, your future full of dreams--two years have passed since the day when everything disappeared.There is no day when I did not think about you.Together with your smiling face comes a great sense of loss.Sad, lonely... the tears do not stop no matter how much time has passed. Love only grows.
Since that day, when the rain suddenly stops, when light shines through the cloudy sky, when a refreshing breeze blows by, I always think it is a miracle brought by you.I still want to see you. I just want to see you. I want to see you.I know it is impossible, but I have been hoping since that day.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts.
From a staff (1):
All of you continue to be with us, encouraging and supporting us, even as the seasons change, at every corner, at every moment in life.When I hit a wall, I motivate myself by remembering your determination. On days of clear, blue skies, it warms my heart to know you are happy. Memories of days spent with you flow into my mind when I stand at places shared with you.
Your passions will continue to be delivered to people around the world through your works. No matter how much time goes by, our ties will not change as we weave our thoughts.Please watch over us.
From a staff (2):
Two years have passed since that day. Nothing can soothe the loneliness and sadness. Even today, memories of you, your voices, come to mind.Days spent polishing techniques, days spent working on anime. It is heartbreaking to know that our important comrades, whom we believed would always be around to create the future together and deliver excitement to everyone in the world through our works, are no longer here today.
Let me shout from the heart: I want to see all of you! There is so much more to talk about.We can no longer hear you directly, but your thoughts continue to be with us. Let us continue to create anime together as we converse in our hearts. We will always be comrades.
<end of messages>
Our sincere appreciation for your continued support.
We will continue to create works, and deliver excitement and hope for the future to everyone through our works.
We look forward to your support.
July 18, 2021, Kyoto Animation
<End of video. Thank you.>
List of 35 victims who appeared in credit roll of Violet Evergarden the Movie
News article:
Update: The actual video from KyoAni was only available on 18 July, 2021. The following is a news clip about the memorial service that was held at the site of where the studio used to be.
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