On July 18, 2019, a tragic arson attack takes place at Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 in Japan. A man, who does not work for the studio, enters the building carrying about 40 litres of gasoline. First, he pours the gasoline around the area, dousing several employees before igniting it. This horrific fire kills 36 people, leaving 34 others injured, including the suspect. The building suffers terrible damage, with most of its equipment and materials destroyed in the blaze. This event is notable because it is one of the deadliest massacres in Japan's recent history. Following the incident, many fans and supporters from around the world express their sorrow and sympathy for the victims. They raise over ¥3.3 billion to help the studio recover, and the government makes donations tax-exempt to encourage even more support. After the fire, the suspect attempts to flee but is caught by police about 100 metres from the scene. He later pleads guilty to murder charges, facing severe consequences for his actions, which include a death sentence. The studio's schedule suffers greatly, leading to delays in upcoming projects and the cancellation of various events. This attack shocks the entire animation industry, which has been celebrating creativity and storytelling for decades. Nevertheless, the community remains hopeful, showing resilience in the face of such a tragic loss.
B1 · Intermediate · 219 words · ~1 min
Word notebook · B1
Tap a highlighted word in the text, or study the list below.
- arson
- the crime of deliberately setting fire to property.
- sympathy
- feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
- suspect
- a person thought to have committed a crime.
- plagiarism
- the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.
- condolences
- expressions of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death.
- resilience
- the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
- vulnerable
- capable of being physically or emotionally wounded.
- legacy
- something left behind or passed down from the past.
Comprehension check · B1
Finished reading? See how much stuck.
1.What did the suspect carry into the studio?
2.How many people were killed in the arson attack?
3.What did many supporters do to help Kyoto Animation?
















































