KyoAni studio destroyed in deadly arson attack ‘brought revolutionary change to Japan animation’, fans say

It may not be as famous as Japanese anime legend Studio Ghibli, but Kyoto Animation has many core fans and is known as a team of skilled animators that provides top-quality work for others and can produce its own hits, such as Lucky Star, K-On! and the Haruhi Suzumiya series.

The company hit by a suspected arson on Thursday that killed 34 people and injured 36 others also has a unique founding history.

It was started in 1981 by a former animator who recruited housewives from her neighbourhood in Uji city south of Kyoto, where she married and moved from Tokyo, the Centre of the animation industry.

Yoko Hatta previously had worked at Mushi Production, a studio for the works of anime legend Osamu Tezuka, who created Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion.

The company, better known as KyoAni, does not have a major presence in Japan but has won gradual recognition while providing secondary animation work for major productions. Their work included a 1998 Pokemon feature that appeared in US theatres and a Winnie the Pooh video.

While providing work for top artists, the company has been able to make and feature its own stories in Japanese television anime and comic series. Some of its mega-hits include Lucky Star in 2008, K-On! in 2011 and Haruhi Suzumiya in 2009. The company was preparing for a planned release of a new feature animation film Violet Evergarden, a story of a woman who professionally writes letters for clients.