An {#blank#}1{#/blank#} arson attack on a respected Japanese animation studio left a shocked nation grieving, as investigators looked to identify victims and determine a possible motive in one of the deadliest acts of {#blank#}2{#/blank#} in Japan's modern history.

    A total of 33 people — many of them young — were killed a day earlier when a man {#blank#}3{#/blank#} to douse flammable liquid through the Kyoto Animation Co. studio and set it alight, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} an inferno, officials said. Some 36 others were injured, about 10 critically.

    The blaze at the production house struck at a pillar of Japan's anime industry, an obsession in the country and a cherished cultural {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Kyoto Animation, known as KyoAni, had produced hits such as "Lucky Star," "K-On!" and "Haruhi Suzumiya, " {#blank#}6{#/blank#} worldwide acclaim for its skilled drawings.

    Outside the charred shell of the company's workspace in Kyoto's outskirts on Friday, crowds of well-wishers left flowers and messages of support for the victims. Many bowed, or {#blank#}7{#/blank#} down and prayed as they offered their respects.

    The {#blank#}8{#/blank#}, Shinji Aoba, aged 41, remained in the hospital after {#blank#}9{#/blank#} burns all over his body. A woman who saw police detain the man a day earlier told reporters that he "seemed to be discontented, he seemed to get angry, shouting something about how he had been plagiarized, " according to Reuters.

    Hideaki Hatta, a co-founder and president of Kyoto Animation, said Thursday that the studio had been receiving {#blank#}10{#/blank#}, including emails threatening murder. He said the attack had "broken our hearts."