As Kumamoto Prefecture continues to cope with the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of April 14 and 16, figures from the anime and manga industry are sending their support.
The Straw Hat Pirates — or at least their voice actors — also lent their support to the region. Ikue Ohtani (Chopper), Kazuya Nakai (Zoro), Akemi Okamura (Nami), Yuriko Yamaguchi (Robin), Kazuki Yao (Franky), Kappei Yamaguchi (Usopp), and Mayumi Tanaka (Luffy) each promise to heal or help the victims in some way or encourage them to stay strong and happy.
The cast also signed this board exhorting Kumamoto and Ōita (a nearby prefecture) to stay strong.
Hajime Isayama (Attack on Titan), another manga artist from the affected region (he is from Hita in Ōita Prefecture), also contributed a drawing as support for the victims. It shows Eren, Mikasa and Armin with Kumamon and Mejiron, Ōita Prefecture's bird mascot, all facing a giant enemy. On his blog, Isayama wrote, "When times have been tough for me, even under very harsh circumstances, I'm reminded of manga heroes who fight for their lives, and I remember that they toughed it out. I drew the illustration with those feelings."
