In a shocking decision, The Kyoto District Court in Japan has handed down the death penalty for Shinji Aobathe individual responsible for the devastating arson attack on the studios’ first building Kyoto Animation. This unfortunate incident occurred on the morning of July 18, 2019, when Aoba entered the building carrying around 40 liters of gasoline.
The attack resulted in the tragic loss of 36 lives, while another 32 people suffered serious injuries, marking one of the deadliest events in Japan since the end of World War II. The fire destroyed much of the materials and computers in Kyoto Animation’s first building.
The investigation revealed that Aoba, who had no employment affiliation with the studio, sprayed the gasoline in the area and on several employees before lighting it. After setting himself on fire while lighting the fuel, he tried to flee but was captured by police about 100 meters from the building. During the incident, witnesses reported that he accused the studio of plagiarism.
The attacker, Shinji Aoba, was arrested on May 27, 2020, after more than ten months of recovery from life-threatening burns. On December 16, 2020, he was formally charged and finally, on September 5, 2023, Aoba admitted his guilt to the charges.
This tragic event not only had devastating consequences in terms of loss of life and injuries, but also left an indelible mark on the anime industry. Kyoto Animation, known for its significant contribution to the world of anime, was affected with delays in works and collaborations, as well as the suspension or cancellation of several events.
The admission of Aoba, who claimed that he thought Kyoto Animation had plagiarized several of his works, adds an additional layer of tragedy to this case. The death sentence issued by the Kyoto Court highlights the seriousness of this crime and leaves an indelible mark on the history of Japanese animation.
Fountain: Livedoor News
