Man sentenced to death for Kyoto anime fire which killed 36
A sentence of death has been handed down to a Japanese man for the arson attack on a Kyoto animation studio in 2019, resulting in the deaths of 36 individuals and injuries to many others, marking one of Japan’s most lethal incidents in recent years.
Shinji Aoba, 45, admitted to the assault, but his legal team had sought a more lenient sentence, citing “mental incompetence” as a factor. Despite their plea, the judges dismissed the claim, asserting that Aoba was aware of his actions.
Chief Judge Masuda, speaking at Kyoto District Court on Thursday, stated, “I have determined that the defendant was not mentally insane or weak at the time of the crime.” He emphasized the gravity of the incident, expressing, “The death of 36 people is extremely serious and tragic.
The fear and pain of the deceased victims was indescribable,” as reported by Japanese broadcaster NHK.
The majority of the victims were young artists from the animation studio, trapped on the upper floors as the fire rapidly spread. The attack sent shockwaves through the anime world, prompting national mourning in Japan.
Aoba’s motive, as outlined by prosecutors, was a belief that his work had been plagiarized by Kyoto Animation, also known as KyoAni after he entered a novel into their contest. Despite his guilty plea, prosecutors pressed for the death penalty for the severity of the crime.
In July 2019, he burst into the studio during a work day, splashing petrol on the ground floor and setting it alight while repeatedly shouting “Drop dead”.
He later said during his guilty plea in September 2023 that he did not think so many people would die.
“I felt I had no other option but to do what I did,” he said at the time.
“I feel tremendously sorry and the feeling includes a sense of guilt.”
Aoba himself suffered burns to over 90% of his body in the fire and was only arrested after he had recovered from operations.
“The delusion that KyoAni Studio had plagiarised his work influenced his motivation,” prosecutors had told the court.
But they said he was not controlled by such delusions and had full capacity and understanding of his actions.
On Thursday, the judge read out a lengthy reasoning with victim testimonies before announcing the verdict. More than half of the animation studio’s 70-strong workforce was killed in the event, and another 32 were injured.
“Some of them saw their colleagues engulfed in flames, and some of them are suffering from psychological effects, and they are tormented by feelings of guilt and remorse,” said Judge Masuda.
Families of the victims were seen in the courtroom, with many visibly emotional as the judge read out the details of Aoba’s crime, NHK reported.
The outlet reported that Aoba kept his head bowed as the judge read out the death penalty sentence.
Japan retains capital punishment for its most serious crimes, like multiple murders. Those convicted typically remain on death row for years, or even decades. The death penalty is conducted by hanging.
The KyoAni studio in Kyoto is a beloved institution, known for producing films and graphic novels that are well-regarded by fans as well as critics – including K-On! and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.
