Japan: Man sentenced to death for Kyoto anime fire which killed 36

A man was sentenced to death for the arson attack on a Kyoto animation studio that killed 36 and injured many. This tragic incident shocked Japan and the anime community.

The arson attack in a revered Kyoto animation studio killed 36 people and injured dozens more.

In 2019, a Japanese man was sentenced to death for setting fire to a Kyoto animation studio, resulting in the deaths of 36 people and injuring many others. This tragic incident, one of Japan’s most deadly in recent memory, primarily claimed the lives of young artists, sending shockwaves throughout the anime community.

Shinji Aoba, aged 45, admitted to the attack, yet his defense team argued for a mitigated sentence citing his alleged “mental incompetence.” However, the court dismissed this plea, affirming that Aoba was fully aware of his actions at the time of the crime.

Chief Judge Masuda, speaking at the Kyoto District Court, emphasized the gravity of the tragedy, stating, “I have determined that the defendant was not mentally insane or weak at the time of the crime.” He underscored the profound suffering and loss experienced by the victims, particularly the young animation staff who were trapped on the upper floors as the fire raged below.

This arson assault stands as one of Japan’s deadliest incidents in recent history, prompting widespread mourning and reflection across the nation. The case has garnered significant attention from the Japanese public and media, reflecting the profound impact of the tragedy on the collective consciousness.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty for Aoba, contending that his motivation for attacking the studio stemmed from his belief that his work had been plagiarized by Kyoto Animation, also known as KyoAni. He claimed that the studio had plagiarized a novel he had submitted to their contest.

In July 2019, he forcefully entered the studio during a regular work day, dousing the ground floor with petrol and igniting it while repeatedly shouting “Drop dead.”

During his guilty plea in September 2023, he admitted that he had not anticipated so many casualties, stating, “I felt I had no alternative but to take the actions I did.” He expressed profound remorse, acknowledging a profound sense of guilt.

Aoba himself sustained burns covering over 90% of his body in the fire. He was apprehended only after recovering from extensive medical treatment.

Prosecutors informed the court that the belief that KyoAni Studio had plagiarized his work influenced the defendant’s motivation. However, they asserted that he was not under the control of such delusions and possessed full capacity and understanding of his actions.

During the verdict announcement on Thursday, the judge provided a detailed rationale accompanied by victim testimonies. More than half of the animation studio’s 70 employees perished in the tragic event, with 32 others sustaining injuries.

Judge Masuda expressed, “Some witnessed their colleagues engulfed in flames, and others continue to endure psychological trauma, plagued by feelings of guilt and remorse.”

Families of the victims were present in the courtroom, many visibly emotional as the judge recounted the specifics of Aoba’s crime, as reported by NHK.

Aoba remained with his head bowed as the judge pronounced the death penalty sentence. Japan upholds capital punishment for its gravest offenses, such as multiple murders. Those convicted often spend years, if not decades, on death row before the sentence is carried out, traditionally by hanging.

The KyoAni studio in Kyoto holds a cherished place in Japanese culture, renowned for its creation of films and graphic novels highly esteemed by both fans and critics alike, including “K-On!” and “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.”