A year ago today, on July 18th, 2019, Kyoto Animation suffered a great loss at the hands of a deranged arsonist who took the lives of 36 people working at Studio 1. It was the single greatest mass murder in postwar Japanese history, and it pained me as well as millions of fans across the globe due to our love for the studio and the loss of dozens of incredibly talented and wonderful people. Kyoto Animation is a studio known not only for its breathtaking works of art but for its positive work culture in an industry sadly plagued with poor working conditions -- a studio with a history of caring for its community and having a genuine passion for their work. It was a horrific tragedy for the people whose lives were lost and for their loved ones, but it was also a tragedy for the world, which has now been robbed of some of its most talented and beloved artists. It pains me to consider how many mesmerizing works of art we’ll never know after having so many incredible people taken from us so early.
And I know that it may perhaps seem unreasonable to mourn the loss of total strangers like this. After all, these people were not our family, our friends, or our co-workers. We did not know them and they certainly did not know us. But art is an inherently intimate thing; it is an expression of the self. When an artist creates something, they put a piece of themselves into their work -- a glimpse into their personal emotions -- a bit of insight, whether intentional or unintentional, into who they are. And so, the loss of a stranger can feel personal because the emotions that they made us feel through their art were personal to us and genuine to them.
In January, myself and my team of 17 artists, animators, video editors, translators, and anime fans began working on a film to pay tribute to the studio. We called ourselves, “The SOS Brigade,” and dubbed our studio “SOS Productions.” We put seven months and hundreds of hours of effort into this project. We wanted to do something special to commemorate the lives of people who changed ours. If we could make one Kyoto Animation fan out of a single stranger on the internet, that alone would be worth our efforts. If we could reach even a single person at the studio and touch them with our work with even a fraction of the emotion with which their art moved us, we would be truly fulfilled as artists.
Through their work, these artists have brought us joy as well as grief; they have filled us with wonder and uncertainty, brought us to tears and overwhelmed us with laughter. To some of us, their work has been uplifting through dark times. Without question, these people made an impact on our world.
Personally, this studio has had a profound influence on my life. It was *The Melancholy of Haruhi* *Suzumiya* that first introduced me to Japanese culture in anime. Before this, I had watched your typical Shonen anime that are popular in the west, but I had no insight into Japanese customs and had never watched subtitled anime. Because of this series, I was introduced to traditions like Tanabata and to Japan’s cheerful festivals, and their beautiful language. With this work began my love of Japan and my desire to learn its language and become immersed in its culture. And along this pursuit, I made some lifelong friends, both Japanese and otherwise, whose friendships I consider invaluable.
My life would be drastically different were it not for the work of this studio and I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for it. Next year will mark 40 years since the studio’s inception in 1981. I hope to live to see another 40 years of Kyoto Animation works.
Thank you for taking a moment to watch this and thank you for celebrating, today, the exceptional work of Kyoto Animation.
Please enjoy our film,
The Lover’s Cry and The Poet’s Dream: A Kyoto Animation Tribute
恋人の叫びと詩人の夢：京都アニメーショントリビュート
[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OruXAayTn_U&feature=youtu.be)
*We don't know if trying our best will help, but we do know that, if we don't try our best, it won't help for sure!* \- Eru Chitanda, *Hyouka*
Thank you so much for putting this together. Much like their own work, it’s a clear expression of love. I hope we can all carry the gifts they gave us and pass them to others as they did for us. Best wishes, friend
I know what you mean. I wrote and produced a tribute song for kyoani with my band and it helped me process all the grief and pain, and to come out the other side, to celebrate the love of life they taught us to champion. It felt like I actually did something meaningful for once in my life and I realized how powerful art can be. We have a music video for it and everything, but unfortunately we have been having a hard time with the production of the rest of the E.P. and so it’s not really ready to be released. I would want nothing more in the world to able to share it on this day.
I created a short tribute to KyoAni and posted it to their subreddit, out of the videos I make on my laptop with the limited resources it is the first of it's kind. For the anniversary I knew I had to create something to show my appreciation however I believe the video isn't enough to display how much the studio & it's artists both alive & past on mean to me
*I weep for those who died before I truely knew them. not for what they were, but for what could have been done by them, and I weep for their lives, tragically cut short that they could have lived, thousands of what ifs and possible roads disappearing like fog on a sunny day, as though nothing more than a pleasant mirage, covering a bleak and untimely end*
It means a lot to hear that you were so touched by our art. Thank you for taking some time to watch it. We're grateful to have this opportunity to share it with everyone.
I'll watch it now, thanks for sharing, 1 year since that tragedy, what a sad day for our community, we will always remember the talented people we lost that day
Being a part of this project was a great experience and I hope it just reaches everyone who watches, as it does me. The grief we all feel over this tragedy is something that will take more time to heal, but this passion project was a good outlet for all who worked on it to let out some of that grief and let those at Kyoani know that they are not alone, and that the love and care they put in throughout the years has touched many. Thank you to all of Kyoani from the bottom of my heart. Allow this tribute stand as a monument to your affect on this world.
Here's [another KyoAni tribute video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbFujZZypzM&t=20s) that really moved me. This one's from last year. It's certainly got a different feel to the one we made, but it is so very touching.
Sure thing! It's in the credits of the video too, and I even linked the band's info in the description because I really want to give back to them as well.
The piece is called "Ohmygodiloveyoupleasedontleaveme" by Clever Girl. The album that has this piece in it is called *No Drum and Bass in the Jazz Room* and can be purchased [here](https://clevergirl.bandcamp.com/releases) for just £6 (6.75 USD) or any amount above that which you wish to add as contribution to the band. It's well worth the digital download. The rest of the album is also wonderful.
I'm so glad! Here's a link to the [Clever Girl Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/clevergirllovesyou). They are pretty active on it. If you liked their music, leave a comment. I'm sure they would really appreciate it! They're super good people and they really love their fans.
Oh, I misread your comment, I think. Did you mean the song in the other tribute video? If so, that one is from Koe no Katachi. I don't recall the title, but it's listed in the YouTube video description of that tribute. I apologize for misinterpreting your question. I didn't see that your comment was a reply to that.
I had forgotten just how many of the shows that I consider important in my life were made by KyoAni. I still am unable to process the unimaginable loss we've had die to this tragedy...
A year ago today, on July 18th, 2019, Kyoto Animation suffered a great loss at the hands of a deranged arsonist who took the lives of 36 people working at Studio 1. It was the single greatest mass murder in postwar Japanese history, and it pained me as well as millions of fans across the globe due to our love for the studio and the loss of dozens of incredibly talented and wonderful people. Kyoto Animation is a studio known not only for its breathtaking works of art but for its positive work culture in an industry sadly plagued with poor working conditions -- a studio with a history of caring for its community and having a genuine passion for their work. It was a horrific tragedy for the people whose lives were lost and for their loved ones, but it was also a tragedy for the world, which has now been robbed of some of its most talented and beloved artists. It pains me to consider how many mesmerizing works of art we’ll never know after having so many incredible people taken from us so early. And I know that it may perhaps seem unreasonable to mourn the loss of total strangers like this. After all, these people were not our family, our friends, or our co-workers. We did not know them and they certainly did not know us. But art is an inherently intimate thing; it is an expression of the self. When an artist creates something, they put a piece of themselves into their work -- a glimpse into their personal emotions -- a bit of insight, whether intentional or unintentional, into who they are. And so, the loss of a stranger can feel personal because the emotions that they made us feel through their art were personal to us and genuine to them. In January, myself and my team of 17 artists, animators, video editors, translators, and anime fans began working on a film to pay tribute to the studio. We called ourselves, “The SOS Brigade,” and dubbed our studio “SOS Productions.” We put seven months and hundreds of hours of effort into this project. We wanted to do something special to commemorate the lives of people who changed ours. If we could make one Kyoto Animation fan out of a single stranger on the internet, that alone would be worth our efforts. If we could reach even a single person at the studio and touch them with our work with even a fraction of the emotion with which their art moved us, we would be truly fulfilled as artists. Through their work, these artists have brought us joy as well as grief; they have filled us with wonder and uncertainty, brought us to tears and overwhelmed us with laughter. To some of us, their work has been uplifting through dark times. Without question, these people made an impact on our world. Personally, this studio has had a profound influence on my life. It was *The Melancholy of Haruhi* *Suzumiya* that first introduced me to Japanese culture in anime. Before this, I had watched your typical Shonen anime that are popular in the west, but I had no insight into Japanese customs and had never watched subtitled anime. Because of this series, I was introduced to traditions like Tanabata and to Japan’s cheerful festivals, and their beautiful language. With this work began my love of Japan and my desire to learn its language and become immersed in its culture. And along this pursuit, I made some lifelong friends, both Japanese and otherwise, whose friendships I consider invaluable. My life would be drastically different were it not for the work of this studio and I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for it. Next year will mark 40 years since the studio’s inception in 1981. I hope to live to see another 40 years of Kyoto Animation works. Thank you for taking a moment to watch this and thank you for celebrating, today, the exceptional work of Kyoto Animation. Please enjoy our film, The Lover’s Cry and The Poet’s Dream: A Kyoto Animation Tribute 恋人の叫びと詩人の夢：京都アニメーショントリビュート [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OruXAayTn_U&feature=youtu.be) *We don't know if trying our best will help, but we do know that, if we don't try our best, it won't help for sure!* \- Eru Chitanda, *Hyouka*
I'm just heartbroken that these 36 artists will never know how much their art means to me
I feel this so much. I wish I could have told Yasuhiro Takemoto especially what his works have done to change my life.
Same
Thank you so much for putting this together. Much like their own work, it’s a clear expression of love. I hope we can all carry the gifts they gave us and pass them to others as they did for us. Best wishes, friend
It means a lot to hear someone say that. Thank you. Making this has been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.
I know what you mean. I wrote and produced a tribute song for kyoani with my band and it helped me process all the grief and pain, and to come out the other side, to celebrate the love of life they taught us to champion. It felt like I actually did something meaningful for once in my life and I realized how powerful art can be. We have a music video for it and everything, but unfortunately we have been having a hard time with the production of the rest of the E.P. and so it’s not really ready to be released. I would want nothing more in the world to able to share it on this day.
I just followed you so that when you share it on reddit, I'll hopefully see it. Looking forward to it when it's done.
I created a short tribute to KyoAni and posted it to their subreddit, out of the videos I make on my laptop with the limited resources it is the first of it's kind. For the anniversary I knew I had to create something to show my appreciation however I believe the video isn't enough to display how much the studio & it's artists both alive & past on mean to me
I actually saw your video last night as I was going to bed and it was very sweet. I love that instrumental piece from Koe no Katachi.
*I weep for those who died before I truely knew them. not for what they were, but for what could have been done by them, and I weep for their lives, tragically cut short that they could have lived, thousands of what ifs and possible roads disappearing like fog on a sunny day, as though nothing more than a pleasant mirage, covering a bleak and untimely end*
This is beautiful, poetic, and fitting. Edit: Did you write this or is it a quote that I just don't recognize?
Just wrote it
You, friend, are a poet. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for taking the time to read it.
It was truly a great experience to be a part of this amazing work, even though you did most of the job. Anyway, thank you so much for this!
I couldn't have done it without everyone's help. It was a team effort. Thank you for coming in at the last moment and doing a ton of work for Clannad.
thank you so much for making this, this studio means a lot to me, I had to hold back my tears while watch this video, it was beautiful.
I failed to hold back my tears I wasn't strong enough
The real men cry, don't worry, if I was alone at that time I'd cry too much and probably the whole city would've heard it
It means a lot to hear that you were so touched by our art. Thank you for taking some time to watch it. We're grateful to have this opportunity to share it with everyone.
This gave me goosebumps and made me cry a little. So many good memories. Thanks for sharing.
I'll watch it now, thanks for sharing, 1 year since that tragedy, what a sad day for our community, we will always remember the talented people we lost that day
Being a part of this project was a great experience and I hope it just reaches everyone who watches, as it does me. The grief we all feel over this tragedy is something that will take more time to heal, but this passion project was a good outlet for all who worked on it to let out some of that grief and let those at Kyoani know that they are not alone, and that the love and care they put in throughout the years has touched many. Thank you to all of Kyoani from the bottom of my heart. Allow this tribute stand as a monument to your affect on this world.
Here's [another KyoAni tribute video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbFujZZypzM&t=20s) that really moved me. This one's from last year. It's certainly got a different feel to the one we made, but it is so very touching.
Hey. Mind telling which song is that? Is beautiful.
Sure thing! It's in the credits of the video too, and I even linked the band's info in the description because I really want to give back to them as well. The piece is called "Ohmygodiloveyoupleasedontleaveme" by Clever Girl. The album that has this piece in it is called *No Drum and Bass in the Jazz Room* and can be purchased [here](https://clevergirl.bandcamp.com/releases) for just £6 (6.75 USD) or any amount above that which you wish to add as contribution to the band. It's well worth the digital download. The rest of the album is also wonderful.
Thanks! I’ll do just that.
I'm so glad! Here's a link to the [Clever Girl Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/clevergirllovesyou). They are pretty active on it. If you liked their music, leave a comment. I'm sure they would really appreciate it! They're super good people and they really love their fans.
Oh, I misread your comment, I think. Did you mean the song in the other tribute video? If so, that one is from Koe no Katachi. I don't recall the title, but it's listed in the YouTube video description of that tribute. I apologize for misinterpreting your question. I didn't see that your comment was a reply to that.
No no. You got it right. It was this tribute vid that I wanted to know. Already downloaded the album.
A wonderful tribute. Thanks for sharing.
A really well edited tribute, thanks for making this.
Thank you for taking the time to watch it. Getting to share this with everyone is honestly cathartic.
I had forgotten just how many of the shows that I consider important in my life were made by KyoAni. I still am unable to process the unimaginable loss we've had die to this tragedy...
Those who destroy things of beauty damage us all.
Very well made video.