Kyoto Animation was the victim of a suspected arson attack today that left at least 26 people dead.
Around 70 people were in the Kyoto Animation building when the fire started, with 36 people taken to hospital afterwards, some in a critical condition.
Kyoto Animation is the studio behind beloved animes such as A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden, Clanad, Sound! Euphonium, K-On! and Full Metal Panic!
Kyoto Animation also have produced video game cinematics for Konami’s popular baseball series Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyu (or Power Pros as it’s known in the west).
The fire at Kyoto Animation broke out around 10.30am local time with rescue operations still ongoing.
Knives were also found at the scene in Kyoto while broadcaster NHK reported the suspect had been heard saying “drop dead” as he set fire to the building.
Police say the 41-year-old broke into the Kyoto Animation studio, sprayed petrol and then ignited it.
It’s unclear whether the suspect had any relationship with Kyoto Animation.
Japanese newspapers say the suspect ran away from the building after the fire began but fell to the ground.
He reportedly was pursued by employees of Kyoto Animation and is now in hospital being treated for injuries.
In the aftermath Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the incident was “too appalling for words”.
While a fundraiser has also been set up to support Kyoto Animation as anime fans took to Twitter to offer their condolences.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO KYOTO ANIMATION FUNDRAISER
Voice actor SungWon Cho tweeted: “I’m horrified to hear about Kyoto Animation, that someone could do something so horrible to people who have brought so much joy is absolutely sickening”.
Anime News Network editor Mike Toole posted: “Kyoto Animation are a rarity in the anime business: they treat their people well, they strive to own part of their works, and their creations are consistently excellent, at the very least on a technical level.”
The Twitter account for the Crunchyroll anime streaming service wrote: “Our hearts go out to everyone at Kyoto Animation, and to all their friends and family.”
While on Twitter anime makers Funimation posted: “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the Kyoto Animation Studio fire in Japan.”
Sentai Filmworks have also set up a GoFundMe appeal to ‘Help KyoAni heal’.
They are targeting raising $500,000 and, at the time of writing, have raised around $250,000 in the space of five hours.
Click here to be directed to the GoFundMe appeal to help Kyoto Animation.
Express.co.uk Gaming would also like to offer our condolences to everyone at Kyoto Animation, who are in our thoughts and prayers.