Memorial Ceremony of Anime Studio Arson in Japan

Thursday marks five years since an animation studio in Kyoto City, western Japan, was set on fire, leaving 36 people dead and 32 others injured.About 140 people, including bereaved family members and Kyoto Animation staffers and officials, gathered for a memorial service at the site.Kyoto Animation President Hatta Hideaki described his 36 late colleagues as creators who represented the company as well as Japan.

He said the company will continue to produce animation works with the victims’ aspirations in mind.In January, the Kyoto District Court handed down a death sentence to Aoba Shinji, who was charged with murder, arson and other crimes in this case. Aoba has appealed the ruling.