Tag Archives: News

Anime

Kyoto Animation studio affected by arson to be torn down

Leave a comment

The building that was home to a studio of Kyoto Animation that suffered an arson attack on July 18th, 2019 is to be torn down.

NHK reported that the animation company revealed its intention to demolish the structure with neighbouring residents and businesses on Saturday.

Before demolition can begin, which is expected to start in January 2020, the interior of the undergo further clean up, as well as scaffolding erected on the exterior. No details were provided about how the space is to be used once demolition is completed.

Hideaki Hatta, president and CEO of Kyoto Animation, had brought up the subject of demolition during a press conference in October. He added that it “…pained him deeply” seeing the damaged studio.

Source: NHK World

Anime, News

Death toll from Kyoto Animation fire increases to 34

Leave a comment

The death toll from the tragic arson attack that devastated the Kyoto Animation Company in Kyoto, Japan has climbed to 34.

Kyoto police announced that a man admitted to hospital had succumbed to their injuries after Thursday’s fire.

Hideaki Hatta the president of Kyoto Animation, spoke with reporters on Friday morning, stating he was “crushed by the loss of colleagues” that he had worked with over the years.

The Twitter account for the Free! anime series posted a single tweet stating that the 2020 Summer update that was supposed to be released today is cancelled.

The third episode of the series Fire Force was also postponed, likely in respect to those affected by the fire, according to a tweet from Crunchyroll.

 

Sources: NHK 1, 2

Anime, News

Fire at Kyoto Animation Company kills 33 people

Leave a comment

At 10:30 am local time (6:30 pm Pacific Daylight Time), a fire broke out at building that housed the Kyoto Animation Company in Kyoto, Japan. A man in his 40s was suspected of starting the fire which killed 33 people, with another 36 injured, according to NHK.

Witnesses to the event recall seeing the suspect pour an accelerant on the building and shouting before starting the fire. He was arrested and taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Kyoto Animation Company was founded in 1981 and worked on a number of anime series including K-ON, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Free!.

Anime fans from around the world took to social media posting messages of condolence and support for those affected by the fire.

 

 

Source: NHK

Local

Downtown Vancouver’s Canada Day Parade cancelled for 2018

Leave a comment
The Parade in 2017 for the Canada 150 celebrations.

This July 1st, the streets of downtown Vancouver won’t be filled with floats or lined with crowds waving miniature red and white maple leaf flags as the Canada Day parade is cancelled going forward.

Citing rising costs, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which hosts the parade, made the decision to cancel the procession instead choosing to focus on the events at Canada Place and the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has run the parade since its start in 2009.

Source: Canada Place

Local

Changes to BC Ferries polices regarding smoking, and staying inside vehicles

Leave a comment
BC Ferries' vessel the Coastal Renaissance
BC Ferries’ vessel the Coastal Renaissance

Get ready for some big changes coming to BC Ferries if you like to stay in your car while sailing or go out for a smoke on the ships or at terminals.

Starting Wednesday, October 11th, 2017, passengers will be unable to stay in their vehicles on any enclosed decks on a ferry — this means the lower decks of the ships that are enclosed by the loading doors; upper vehicle decks are not affected by this directive. According to a release by BC Ferries, this is to be compliant with Transport Canada regulations for passenger safety, highlighted under section 152 of the Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act. BC Ferries added that passengers can ask the upper vehicle deck on a vessel with an enclosed vehicle deck when they pay for their fare at the ticket booths; though this may not be fulfilled due to demand, vessel or other situations.

A list of routes affected include:

  • Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay
  • Tsawwassen – Duke Point
  • Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands
  • Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay
  • Horseshoe Bay – Langdale
  • Powell River – Comox
  • Port Hardy – Prince Rupert
  • Port Hardy – Bella Coola
  • Prince Rupert – Haida Gwaii

For smokers, as of Monday, January 22nd, 2018, you won’t be able to light up, or use an e-cigarette on any vessel or at any terminal or facility, even inside your own vehicle. This is due to changes to British Columbia law in 2016 that increased smoke free zone to 6 meters (19.6 feet) from 3 meters (9.8 feet) near any door, window or air intake. Because of the limited space on the decks, the increased buffer makes it hard to comply with this updated regulation.

Sources: BC Ferries [1, 2]

Local

Vancouver purchases Arbutus railway line for $55 million

Leave a comment

The future of the abandoned rail line that snakes through Vancouver’s west side along Arbutus Street is now sealed. Both the city and Canadian Pacific Railway reached a decision that ends the contentious back-and-forth that intensified last summer when CP began clearing the land around the tracks.

While trains have not run along the corridor since the early 2000’s, the railway company held onto to the property, even offering it to the City for $400 million during early negotiations.

For $55 million, the City acquires 17 hectares of land stretched over 9 kilometres between 1st Avenue near False Creek down to Milton Street on the Fraser River. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson states that “…the City will be able to transform the area into an outstanding greenway and connect neighbourhoods from False Creek to Marpole.”.

Now walkers, strollers, and cyclists instead of freight trains can enjoy this new greenway — legitimately, at last. City officials will look to the public for input on improvements and final design.

Sources: City of Vancouver, CBC

Local

Fare gates close for all SkyTrain stations and SeaBus April 8

Leave a comment

Those open fare gates at SkyTrain stations and SeaBus terminals aren’t going to stay open forever. TransLink announced today that closure of the outstanding open fare gates begins Monday, April 4th and continues through Friday, April 8th, 2016 when all gates are completely closed.

During the week, extra transit staff will be on hand to help to passengers making the jump to Compass if they haven’t already done so. They can also aid passengers requiring assistance through the fare gates.

In order for proper calculation of the fare, the Compass card must be tapped in at the station’s (or terminal) entrance and then again upon exiting the station/terminal. Travelling by bus is different as passengers only need to tap in when boarding the vehicle — they do not need to tap out upon exiting.

Once all the gates have closed, only Compass cards and single use fare cards can open them. TransLink ceased sales of FareSaver tickets back in January; remaining FareSavers are convertible to Compass and staff at the Compass Customer Service Centre can help transfer the value to a Compass card. The Compass Customer Service Centre is at the Beatty Street entrance to Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station.

Concern raised regarding how passengers with disabilities can tap in and out at stations is a concern for the transit operator and their statement acknowledged this. TransLink is working with individuals, support groups and stakeholders on solutions that can make the system more accessible.

TransLink also included a few statistics surrounding Compass noting that there are more than 675,000 cards in use with an average of 300,000 being tapped on a weekday. There are some 300,000 cards registered to their owners and that 70,000 of those cards use the auto-load feature to keep their cards funded.

Compass cards are available for purchase in stations, online or at the Compass Customer Service Centre.

Source: TransLink

Hockey, Videos

John Tortorella to coach the Canucks

Leave a comment

After days of speculation, the Vancouver Canucks have finally announced John Tortorella as their head coach.

At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis introduced Tortorella as the 17th head coach of the west coast hockey club.

Tortorella brings a 13 years of NHL coaching experience to Vancouver, having previously worked with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning in 854 regular season games — 410 wins, 340 losses, 37 ties and 67 overtime losses. Tortorella has also lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup during the 2003-2004 season. In addition, he has served as an assistant coach to the New York Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres.

The Boston-born Tortorella is perhaps most well known for his brash interviews with the media. It’s hoped that during his time here in Vancouver he is able to bring much needed change to make the Canucks a Stanley Cup contender.

Interestingly enough, as Tortorella comes to Vancouver, former head coach Alain Vigneault heads to New York to fill the open coaching spot.

Source: Vancouver Canucks

Hockey

Canucks fire Alain Vigneault

Leave a comment
Alain Vigneault
Alain Vigneault during a pre-game warm-up

Following the Vancouver Canucks’ early exit from the Western Conference Quarter Finals, the team has decided to part ways with head coach Alain Vigneault.

The announcement was made by team President and General Manager Mike Gillis on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, stated that Vigneault, associate coach Rick Bowness and assistant coach Newell Brown have been let go. The decision was made after the team had been swept out from the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the San Jose Sharks earlier in May.

Vigneault, who came to Vancouver in June 2006 had established himself as the winningest coach in the team’s history and brought them to the Stanley Cup final in the 2010-2011 season. The Quebec City native was also awarded the Jack Adams Trophy for his coaching during the 2006-2007 season.

Names of potential replacements were not provided.

Source: Vancouver Canucks

Local

Evergreen Line station names announced

Leave a comment
Lougheed Town Centre Station
Lougheed Town Centre Station

The Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, and TransLink released the finalized names of the stations along the progressing Evergreen Line.

The contentious transit project has been subject to delays, funding issues and controversy; but now it’s clear that the new SkyTrain line is moving forward. While a list of station names might not be significant, it at least shows that progress is being made. As construction continues, it’s expected that the route will be ready for the summer of 2016.

Station names, running north from the junction at Lougheed Town Centre are as follows:

  • Lougheed Town Centre Station
  • Burquitlam Station
  • Moody Centre Station
  • Inlet Centre Station
  • Coquitlam Central Station
  • Lincoln Station
  • Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station

So far, the Evergreen Line is estimated to cost around $1.43 billion; $424 million coming from the Government of Canada, $586 million from the Province of British Columbia, and $400 million from TransLink.

Source: BC Newsroom