Kyoto Animation Co., Ltd. was founded in 1981. It has worked comprehensively in planning through production of animated TV shows and movies. It is based in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, where its head office is located, and has several studios. Its works have been released both in Japan and abroad. As many of its animations, such as the "K-On!" and "Sound! Euphonium" series, feature landscapes in Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures as part of the story, it is popular among fans to visit the actual locations depicted in their favorite anime. The visits are referred to as a "pilgrimage to a sacred place." Among its major works are "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya," "Tamako Market," which was set in the shopping mall in Demachiyanagi, Kyoto, and "A Silent Voice." The company also produced the theatrical film, "Free! -Road to the World- the Dream," which is currently playing. Animated film directors, Tatsuya Ishihara and Naoko Yamada work for Kyoto Animation. On July 18, 2019, its 1st St
udio suf
fered from an arson attack, which killed 35 people and 33 people suffered serious or minor injuries.