The Horrors of the Kyoto Animation Fire and What You Can Do to Help

Yesterday morning, Japan saw its worst confirmed mass murder incident since the start of the post-war era. At 10:30 am, a 41-year-old man set fire to Studio 1 of Kyoto Animation — popularly known as KyoAni — killing at least 33 people and injuring many more.

This tragedy comes as a shock to many around the world but especially to the anime fans that have loved and adored the contributions Kyoto Animation has made to the industry over the past couple decades. We at GoombaStomp’s anime section extend our heartfelt condolences to all who are affected by this disaster and hope for their swift recovery.

Hoping isn’t the only thing you can do, though. Even if you find yourself far removed on the other side of the world, there are still ways to show your support. Here are just three:

1. The Monetary Way – Sentai Filmworks, the primary English licensor for Kyoto Animation, has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds that will go directly to the relief and recovery of those affected by the fire. At the time of writing, the campaign has already more than doubled its initial goal, having raised $1.5 million.
   
2. In Our Thoughts and Prayers – Probably the easiest method on this list. We live in the age of social media, where we can communicate with those we want with a click of a button. Show your support by writing an encouraging message on Kyoto Animation’s Twitter page or join the thousands of others in a chorus using the #PrayforKyoani tag.
   
   A word of warning, however. Do NOT mention any hopes for the status of their projects, regardless of if there’s goodwill behind it or not. This is not the time for such things.
   
3. The Physical Way – We tend to forget nowadays that sending letters to others through traditional snail mail is still possible. Simply sending an email or tweet is so much easier and more convenient. It’s because sending a letter is so much less convenient that makes it so much more meaningful, though.
   
   Making a hand-written letter with your thoughts and feelings and sending it to someone shows you care enough to take time out of your day and go through this involved process when simpler methods exist, and that can mean the world to the recipient.
   
   Don’t worry if you can’t write in Japanese. Beyond the fact that English is still understood on some fundamental level in Japan, simply receiving the feelings and support from passionate fans around the world in such a meaningful form has the potential to have an incredibly positive effect.
   
   The address for Kyoto Animation’s main office can be found below. Consider sending your feelings in a physical form.

Kyoto Animation Head Office
32 Oseto, Kohata, Uji-shi, Kyoto
611-0002
Japan

Kyoto Animation has given us so much with some of the most important series in the industry’s history. Now it’s time to give back to them. Show your support and help Kyoto Animation come out of what is surely the darkest moment for the anime medium.