Sense of loss spreads beyond fans of the genre as Justin Trudeau and Tim Cook voice their shock

“I have watched animation since I was a student, and this was a terrible event,” says Jun Shin, a 30-year-old fan from Osaka who visited the site of the Kyoto Animation fire in Japan to say a prayer. “I wanted to come and mourn.”

Jun is just one of the fans of Kyoto Animation, affectionally abbreviated as “KyoAni”, to visit the Studio #1 building in Fushimi, Kyoto, after Thursday’s arson attack in which at least 33 people died, the country’s worst mass-casualty event in decades.

“It’s hard to put into words how I feel,” said 27-year-old Yuichi Kumami, who had taken time off work in nearby Osaka to lay flowers at the site as firefighters and police officers continued their investigations. “They may not be able to produce the same kind of works again and it was my hope that there would be more memorable works in the future, but that may be impossible now and that is very saddening,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

One 23-year-old university student, who paid his respects before going to his lessons, said: “You hear about gun killings overseas, but anyone can get their hands on gasoline and that is pretty frightening.”

Laura Barnhart (@shadylaura) As a person who suffers from depression and anxiety, A Silent Voice touched me in more ways that one with it's beautiful animation and touching story. Kyoto animation has been and will always be one of my favorite animation studios. pic.twitter.com/nJzsjPMuhc

The sense of loss and mourning spread beyond the world of anime, with a mix of world leaders and industry figures voicing their shock and horror at the scale of the disaster.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said the country was mourning with Japan: “Canadians send our deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the arson attack in Kyoto that has taken so many innocent lives.”

Kyoto Animation fire: police search for clues as donations pass $1m mark Read more

Apple chief executive Tim Cook praised the studio and its work. He tweeted: “Kyoto Animation is home to some of the world’s most talented animators and dreamers — the devastating attack today is a tragedy felt far beyond Japan. KyoAni artists spread joy all over the world and across generations with their masterpieces.”

They were joined earlier by Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who said: “I’m speechless at the many deaths that have resulted from the murder-arson case that has occurred today in Kyoto. I pray for happiness in the next world for the victims. I would also like to express my condolences to the injured and pray for their speedy recovery.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest People pray for victims outside the Kyoto Animation building. Photograph: JIJI/EPA

Colleagues in Japan’s creative industries offered prayers as well, including Makoto Shinkai, director of the international hit anime movie Your Name. He said: “We make anime in the hope that the world will be a little bit richer or a little bit better … but this event is too cruel.” In a sign of how cherished the Kyoto studio was, he wrote when news of the fire broke: “Everyone at Kyoto Animation, please, please be safe”.

Masuhiro Sakurai, director of Nintendo’s Super Smash Brothers series, said: “It’s too painful … there are no words”.

Reaction across the internet at large was swift and overwhelming, with fans sharing condolences and celebrating the studio’s many achievements. The hashtag #prayForKyoAni trended worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of tweets posted across multiple languages, a tribute to the studio’s broad appeal.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Emergency services personnel work at the Kyoto Animation studio building after an arson attack. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images

“Will those unfamiliar with anime know that this is also a loss of culture, similar to as if an museum had burnt down in an instant?” asked one user.

Others reflected on the more personal influences of Kyoto Animation’s often emotionally resonant works.

ultimatemegax❤️ (@ultimatemegax) When I was lost in a changing world, a KyoAni work helped ground me.

When I wanted a new direction, a KyoAni work helped me improve as a translator.

When I needed passion in my life, a KyoAni work inspired me to become better.

When I needed friends KyoAni works helped me find ppl

A fundraiser set up by North American distributor Sentai Filmworks has passed over $1m in donations, though the money will remain on hold until Kyoto Animation can determine how best to receive it.