Tomoyo Kurosawathe talented voice actress who plays Kumiko Oumae in "Hibike! euphonium“, confirmed via Twitter an exciting detail in the final episode of the third season of the series. In the scene of Kumiko’s award ceremony, Kyoto Animation's animation team members were drawn from the audience, including those who died in the tragic 2019 attack.. This tribute was made as a gesture of respect and remembrance at the end of the story.

The actress shared the following message on her Twitter account: «At the venue, everyone was there. The characters and the creators were all present! Oh, I'm so happy. I wonder if this will echo to the heavens.».

“Hibike! Euphonium” is a franchise that has gained enormous popularity since its launch. The series, produced by Kyoto Animation, tells the story of a high school marching band and their efforts to achieve success in national competitions. Its realistic depiction of student life and dedication to music resonated with many fans around the world.

The tragedy that claimed the lives of several animators in the arson attack on Kyoto Animation in 2019 left an indelible mark on the anime industry. On July 18, 2019, a man started a fire at Kyoto Animation's main studio, resulting in the deaths of 36 people and leaving many others injured. Among the deceased were talented animators and creators who worked on “Hibike! Euphonium” from its first seasonIncluding Yasuhiro Takemotoepisode director and Futoshi Nishiya, character designer. The loss of these creatives was deeply felt in the anime community.

The tribute in “Hibike! Euphonium” is not only an acknowledgement of his work, but also a reminder of his legacy and the importance of his contribution to the series and to the art of animation in general. The inclusion of these creators in the final episode is a testament to the lasting impact they have had on the industry and in the hearts of fans.

• «May God bless you, may you rest in peace. I will pray for them tonight».
• «This actually made me start crying, haha. Such a beautiful way to honor employees, KyoAni is the best!».
• «One of the reasons KyoAni was the best anime studio».
• «The themes of mentorship and leadership in this show are even more powerful when you consider the incredible legacy of KyoAni’s training program and the blow the industry has suffered with the loss of both veterans and promising new talent. Especially Taki’s emotional response to winning the gold on behalf of his late wife. I’m glad the studio was able to honor those they lost in such a beautiful way.».
• «I still remember how devastating it was. I'm glad to see that KyoAni made a little memorial like this for them. Bless you, your hard work, and may you continue in peace».
• «Forever immortalized in one of KyoAni's masterpieces, Rest in Peace».
• «I have loved KyoAni ever since I was introduced to it through Violet Evergarden and Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon. Then I heard about the tragedy and the 36 souls that were lost. I cried as if it were a death in my own family. So many shows that I love, their creators were taken from me. The joy I felt watching them rise from the ashes was truly immense. The quality of the story, the attention to detail, the sound design, everything is done in a way that sets a benchmark for the industry. The way they incorporate memorials into their shows is both meaningful and cathartic. Seeing them in the audience was like watching their project, which they put so much time and effort into, come to fruition, a truly fitting memorial.».
• «This is beautiful. May they rest in peace, I'm so happy that KyoAni still respects and remembers the members who worked on the show and many others. Beautiful».
• «Damn, I haven't even seen the episode and I'm almost crying».
• «I almost cried when I saw this on Twitter. It's so sweet that they included them like this. I'm forever grateful for the wonderful art they made.».
• «This is making me cry. Rest in peace, KyoAni animators».
• «If this is true, I shed a tear when I saw this. Some of the people who responded to the original tweet seemed to confirm it and identify some of the staff members. I love Nishiya's character designs in Hyouka».
• «This is how you leave a legacy. This is how you can be remembered forever. I get chills».

Source: Official Twitter Account