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Kannagi's Locale Inspiration Seriously Damaged by Tsunami

Manga creator Eri Takenashi reported on her official website on Monday that one of the locales that inspired the Kannagi anime — her own hometown of Shichigahama — received serious damage in the March 11 earthquake (Tōhoku Chihō Taiheiyō-oki Jishin) and resulting tsunami. According to Takenashi, nothing remains in the area close to the shore except for mountains of rubble. The telephone poles have fallen, the land was submerged underwater, and the roads have been broken up. (The photograph to the right is of the town's submerged Shōbuda area on March 13.)

As of Monday evening, 45 were confirmed killed (including three whose identities were still unknown), 38 people were missing, and 16 were injured.

Hanabushi Shrine, the locale that was used as an inspiration for the first episode of the anime, was built on a cliff by the sea. Although stone lanterns had fallen at the shrine, the tsunami did not reach the shrine itself. (The photograph to the left is of the area near Shichigahama's Kokusaimura and Chūō Kōminkan on March 13.)

Takenashi urged people with Japanese bank accounts to contribute donations to the town.

Takenashi had previously revealed on March 13 that her family comes from Miyagi Prefecture (the prefecture closest to the epicenter of the earthquake), but all of them were safe and sound in Tokyo at the time. Takenashi also confirmed that she is preparing to resume her manga.

[Via Temple Knights]

Update: More background information and images from Shichigahama's website added.