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ANIC, JAniCA's Makuake Crowdfunding Campaign for Kyoto Animation Raises 5.7 Million Yen

The Animation for Next Industrial Innovation Conference (ANIC) non-profit organization and the Japan Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) ended their Makuake crowdfunding campaign to raise money for victims of the July 18 fire at Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 building on October 18 after raising 5,727,000 yen (about US$52,700) from 1,083 contributors. The campaign launched on August 19 with a goal to raise 1,000,000 yen (about US$9,200).

The funds will be used to support the victims of the fire, people injured physically and mentally and who are still recovering, as well as their families. ANIC will forward the messages from contributors to Kyoto Animation.

Kyoto Animation president Hideaki Hatta held a press conference in Kyoto on October 18, and he announced that 27 of the 33 victims injured in the fire at the company's Studio 1 building have returned to work. NHK reported on Friday that four injured victims from the incident are still hospitalized.

Hatta expressed his gratitude for all the messages from everyone around the world such as the "Pray for KyoAni" and "hang in there" messages, as well as all the donations the company has received.

The city of Kyoto announced on October 17 that the bank account accepting donations on behalf of the company has reached 2,915,460,000 yen (about US$26.8 million).

Kyoto Animation will hold a public memorial service for the victims of the fire at the Miyako Messe event hall in Kyoto on November 3-4.

On July 18, a devastating fire broke out at Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 building. A total of 70 people were inside the building at the time. The fire killed 36 people and injured 33 others. In addition to those victims, a man in his 40s on his way to work in the area suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation.

Kyoto Prefectural Police have apprehended a 41-year-old man who allegedly used gasoline to start the fire, and they are investigating the case as arson. Police have yet to arrest the man as he is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries from the fire. The man is now undergoing rehabilitation and is starting to walk and talk.

Sources: Makuake, Anime! Anime! (Kōtarō Nakase)