Kyoto Animation president Hatta Hideaki – “It’s a catastrophe”

Kyoto Animation president Hatta Hideaki was able to inspect the offices of Kyoto Animation the morning after the tragic incident which 33 of his employees were killed by an arsonist, and 36 were hospitalized for injuries.

After surveying the damage in his building, media waited for him to come out.

Hatta said, “I have this feeling in my gut, I can not stand it. I did not think that it would be a catastrophe”.

Hatta commented on his employees, who were elite animators from all over Japan, “Each one of them were excellent and wonderful people”.

Many employees were from the Kyushu region and according to the company’s PR, they are preparing rooms for the families of victims and survivors of the arson to stay.

The damage was extensive as past drawings and materials were burned and destroyed in the fire. All computers were damaged.

Hatta said, “The amount of damage is huge. I don’t know the full details of the true extent”.

It was also revealed that the company have received anonymous e-mails of harassment and intimidation for several years with comments of “I don’t like the director” and how they didn’t like a certain work. And the company took measures such as installing multiple security cameras at several locations in the head office, studios and shops.

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