Visitors can pray, view support messages at Kyoto event on November 3-4

Kyoto Animation announced on Friday the details of its planned public memorial service for the victims of the Studio 1 building fire on July 18. Instead of a previously planned fan event, the studio will hold a "Memorial and Joining-Our-Prayers Service" at the Miyako Messe event hall in Kyoto on November 3-4. The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days, and admission will be free.

People who attend the ceremony will be able to approach an altar and pray individually. Attendees will receive bookmarks and postcards. Some of the messages of support received from fans so far will be on display.

The event planners anticipate that a large number of people will attend the ceremony. Due to anticipated crowding particularly in the mornings, the staff requested that attendees stagger their planned attendance times throughout the event hours. The event will have a strict policy to not accept any gifts or donations from visitors.

Kyoto Animation had announced in September that it was canceling the first of two planned events for its "KyoAni and Do Fan Days 2019: This Is What We Are Now!! It's A Festival After 2 Years!" event. The "Enjoy! The World Of Kyoani And Do" event was scheduled to be held at Miyako Messe on November 3-4. The studio 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 held a private mourning event in late September for bereaved families, employees, and injured victims. Around 250 people attended the event.

Kyoto Animation president Hideaki Hatta held a press conference in Kyoto on Friday, and announced that 27 of the 33 victims injured in the fire at the company's Studio 1 building have returned to work. NHK reported on Friday that four injured victims from the incident are still hospitalized.

Hatta expressed his gratitude for all the messages from everyone around the world such as the "Pray for KyoAni" and "hang in there" messages, as well as all the donations the company has received.

The city of Kyoto announced on Thursday that the bank account accepting donations on behalf of the company has reached 2,915,460,000 yen (about US$26.8 million).

On July 18, a devastating fire broke out at Kyoto Animation 's Studio 1 building. A total of 70 people were inside the building at the time. The fire killed 36 people, and injured 33 others. In addition to those victims, a man in his 40s on his way to work in the area suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation.

Kyoto Prefectural Police have apprehended a 41-year-old man who allegedly used gasoline to start the fire, and they are investigating the case as arson. Police have yet to arrest the man as he is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries from the fire. The man is now undergoing rehabilitation and is starting to walk and talk.

Sources: Kyoto Animation, Comic Natalie