I was sick on July 18th. I spent the entire day sleeping and didn’t look at the internet at all. I only found out the news on Friday and it made me sicker. I consider myself lucky that I have no clue what to say or do in these situations. I haven’t seen enough tragedy yet to be hardened to it.
I am a pretty big fan of Kyoto Animation as a studio and have great respect for their works. I’m angry, I’m sad… None of that matters. My own feelings about it are irrelevant at best. But that’s how people are, we internalize things in order to deal with them.
I don’t think I need to tell any of you how horrible the situation is. I know you’re all stunned and devastated. That’s how it should be. Let us never get so jaded as to stop feeling horrible about such things.
I have also been heartened by the outpouring of support and love from all over for the studio. This is the side of the community that makes me glad to be a part of it. I’m grateful we get to see it shine a little in dark times.
…I don’t know what to say…
Kyoto Animation has created moments that have made my world better. They’ve made me smile or think or dream. Sometimes all three at once. It created food to fuel my imagination and filled my days with colour and wonder. I want to say thank you. I should have said it sooner. It’s a bad habit to wait until something has happened to appreciate what you have.
Beyond that, Kyoto was a shining example in the industry. Paying animators reasonable wadges, offering benefits such a maternity leave. It was a vanguard and a bright hope for the future of the animation industry in Japan. We should not let that be undone!
In that spirit I would like to take a moment to also thank Bones, Shuka, P.A. Works, Trigger and Gainax, I.G. Productions, White Fox, Brain Base, Madhouse and all the ones I’m forgetting right now. All those studios that have filled our lives with just a bit of excitement and magic. Thank you!
And please take a page from KyoAni and take care of your employees.
I don’t want to be naive. I understand the impact of this tragedy. What’s important right now is to bring whatever solace we can to the victims and their families. But I still want to believe that KyoAni will regroup. That people capable of such amazing artistry are capable of just about anything. And I will happily wait for however long it takes to see Kyoto Animation back on the silver screen.
I know this has been devastating for a lot of you as well. You are very welcomed to share your thoughts.
