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Kyoto Animation Cancels 1 of 2 Planned Fan Events in November

Kyoto Animation revealed on the official website for its "KyoAni and Do Fan Days 2019: This Is What We Are Now!! It's A Festival After 2 Years!" event on Friday that it is cancelling the first of the two planned events.

The first event, titled "Enjoy! The World Of Kyoani And Do," was scheduled for November 3-4. The event was to be held at the Miyako Messe event hall in Kyoto.

Kyoto Animation had previously announced on August 14 that it canceled all of its stage events for the two events, including talk show stages, autograph signing sessions, and lectures. The company had stated at the time that it was reconsidering the content of the first of the two events.

"Complete Works" tickets for the first event include a Blu-ray Disc set for a new animation work, the Baja no Studio: Baja no Mita Umi (Baja's Studio: The Sea Baja Sees) anime short. Those who purchased tickets to the event and those who purchased the Complete Works tickets will be refunded the amount for the tickets, but not the amount paid for the Complete Works set. The Complete Works set with the Blu-ray Disc will now ship in mid-February 2020.

Instead of the event on November 3-4, Kyoto Animation will create a place inside the city of Kyoto during that weekend where fans can go to "say their farewells to creators to whom they felt a strong connection through their works."

The second event on November 9-10, titled "Sound! From Kyoto to the World," will still be held at the Rohm Theater (across the street from Miyako Messe) on November 9-10. The event will host orchestra concerts for Sound! Euphonium, Violet Evergarden, and Free!.

On July 18 at around 10:30 a.m. JST, a devastating fire broke out at Kyoto Animation's 1st Studio building, killing 35 people and injuring 34 others. 30 fire engines responded to the fire, and firefighters were able to extinguish most of the fire within five hours after it started, but the fire was not fully put out until 6:20 a.m. on July 19. Kyoto Prefectural Police have already apprehended a 41-year-old man who allegedly used gasoline to start the fire, and they are investigating the case as arson.

Source: KyoAni and Do Fan Days 2019 event's website