KYOTO: A ceremony was held in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Thursday to pray for the victims of an arson attack on Kyoto Animation Co.’s No. 1 studio five years ago.

Some 144 people including bereaved relatives and Hideaki Hatta, president and CEO of the anime production company, attended the ceremony at the former site of the studio.

The participants offered a moment of silence in the private ceremony which began at around 10:30 a.m., according to Kyoto Animation.

“We have walked step by step, firmly remembering that victims’ thoughts will be passed on by continuing to create works,” Hatta said in a speech. “We will continue to make and deliver works with the aspiration left by everyone in our hearts.”

“Even after five years, I still feel a sense of loss that I lost dear friends,” a Kyoto Animation employee said.

“The days of making things together with everyone remains unfaded,” the employee said. “We will continue to create works and pass on our aspiration to the future.”

The arson attack occurred on July 18, 2019, leaving 36 people dead and 32 others injured. Shinji Aoba, 46, was indicted on murder and other charges for allegedly pouring gasoline at the studio and set it on fire.

Kyoto District Court sentenced Aoba to death in January this year. The defendant has appealed the decision.

A monument to remember the incident was unveiled on Sunday at a park in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, where Kyoto Animation is headquartered. Many anime fans visited the monument Thursday to offer prayers.

“I’m glad there is a place to pass on the thoughts of the 36 people,” said Noriyuki Fukuura, 68, who visited the monument from the city of Kyoto. “The fans are waiting, so I want Kyoto Animation to make works one at a time.”

“I was cheered up by Kyoto Animation works in key moments of my life,” said Ayano Tani, 22, from Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture. “I was questioning whether I should come here, but I was able to feel the thoughts of the victims and their families by coming.”

JIJI Press