July 19, 2019, 04:11 PM 
Kyoto Animation studios was doused with gasoline and set ablaze in a suspected arson case on the morning of July 18.
Suspect was angry, accused studio of plagiarism
According to Reuters, the suspect, an unidentified man who is 41-years old had no apparent connection to the studio.
His driver's license listed an address in Saitama, Tokyo.
A witness report mentioned that the man was angry, discontented and was "shouting something about how he had been plagiarized”, Reuters reported.
The blaze has killed 33 people, and 10 others are currently in critical condition.
No victims have been named so far, with conflicting unverified reports as to whether certain key directors and animators of importance were amongst the deceased.
Anime studio deeply loved by fans
Some of the world's most influential anime and movies such as The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Clannad, Lucky Star, Free!, K-On!, Violet Evergarden, and A Silent Voice were made by Kyoto Animation.
The studio is well-known for its stunning, high-quality work, something which anime fans have linked to the ethical treatment of their employees.
Their animators are provided with a proper salary and even training, a rarity in an industry where cases of animators being overworked and severely underpaid are the norm.
As such, despite producing fewer shows than their competitors, the studios' animated work is held with high regard.
Fans and distributor companies who were shocked and saddened by the incident took to social media, expressing their grief and gratitude for the studio's influence on their lives.
To the ones who passed, the survivors, their family and friends, and the people who loved their work#PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/7sIOaBKeLy
— deeKei (@_deeKei) July 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/rahmanfais/status/1151883159149006849
#PrayForKyoaniが世界に拡散 it pains me to know that Kyoani was a target of an arson attack that took so many lives. The many works produced at Kyoani will be remembered and treasured forever including my favourite, A Silent Voice. Deepest prayers to the victims and families pic.twitter.com/Hw0JGVESWo
— ᴮᴱqueen⁷ studying 📚 (@killuateez) July 18, 2019
Heart broken about Kyoto Animation news. The studio has done so much that has touched me. My heart goes out to the entire staff and the families affected #PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/SCQk7G4aGa
— Posting2D (@Posting2D) July 18, 2019
#PrayForKyoAni
— Ortega Stephon (@Stephon7105) July 18, 2019
People, who gave us such high-quality and pure animation, like Clannad, K-ON!, Violet Evergarden, and a lot more,
shouldn't have passed away like this.
Even the kindness and talent can be ruined by one's cruelty and madness.
Rest in peace. We won't forget. pic.twitter.com/kmFSbIo52S
People have started placing flowers around the vicinity of the studio and prayed for the victims of the incident.
highlights of NHK report:
— ji @ 呪術廻戦+ワートリ沼 (@soukatsu_) July 19, 2019
- locals and KyoAni fans have begun leaving flowers and prayers near the Studio 1 building
- family members and friends of KyoAni employees came to KyoAni HQ today to be updated on current status and safety of their loved ones https://t.co/vFe9Tu1Wpp pic.twitter.com/2IIGLWzmVS
Overnight tribute and flowers pour in for the Kyoto Animation arson attack, which killed 33 people in Japan, in what is considered one of the country's largest mass killings in decades pic.twitter.com/Nf7oxlsNqK
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) July 19, 2019
Crowdfunding page set up for the studio
Sentai Filmworks, a U.S.-based distributor which has licensed and distributed some of the studio's works has since set up a crowdfunding page for the animation studio.
More than US$1.2 million has since been donated to the GoFundMe page as of July 19.
Sentai Filmworks assured donors that the funds are intended to be used to provide the "most direct, meaningful assistance possible" to the victims, and are coordinating with their contacts in the Japanese anime industry to bring the funds to those in need.
The continued support and love from our community is incredible. Because of you we have raised over $1,000,000. #HelpKyoAniHeal @kyoani
— Sentai (@SentaiFilmworks) July 19, 2019
An update: pic.twitter.com/BRA9zLCGJo
Fans finding comfort through the studio's previous work
At this time, even the studio's own work is providing encouragement and comfort to their fans.
A clip from the 2006 anime The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is seeing a sudden increase in views and comments on Youtube, as fans in Japan and elsewhere in the world flocked to the video.
The clip features main character Suzumiya as she performs the song "God Knows" during a school festival in episode 12 of the series.
The anime is one of Kyoto Animation most famous works and is largely considered as their big break in the animation industry.
With lyrics such as "I'll follow you. No matter where you are in the darkness of this bitter world you will shine, and exceed the limits of the future," the poignant chorus echoed much of the fans' sentiments and emotions during this time.
"Right now, I feel moved while listening to this song for some reason. It feels like the lyrics of the song fits everything that happened in reality.."
"I feel like the meaning of the lyrics is weighing over my heart."
Top image via Help KyoAni Heal's GoFundMe page and MIYO. - Music's Youtube video
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