By Frances Mao and Shaimaa Khalil in Singapore and Tokyo
ReutersShinji Aoba started a fire in 2019 killing 36 people at Kyoto Animation Studio. A Japanese man has been sentenced to death for an arson attack at a Kyoto animation studio in 2019, which resulted in the death of 36 people and injured many others. The incident was one of Japan’s deadliest in recent times and had a profound impact on the anime world. Shinji Aoba, 45, admitted to the attack, but his legal team had requested a lighter sentence due to “mental incompetence”. The judges dismissed this, concluding that Aoba was aware of his actions. Presiding Chief Judge Masuda stated, “I have determined that the defendant was not mentally insane or weak at the time of the crime.” NHK reported, “The death of 36 people is extremely serious and tragic. The fear and pain of the deceased victims was indescribable.”
Most of the animation staff, mostly young artists, lost their lives when they were unable to escape the spreading fire. The incident triggered national mourning in Japan, with both the public and the media closely following the case. The prosecution had sought the death penalty for Aoba, arguing that he attacked the studio believing his work had been plagiarized. Aoba claimed that Kyoto Animation, also known as KyoAni, had stolen a novel he submitted to their contest. In July 2019, he stormed into the studio during working hours, doused the ground floor with petrol, and set it ablaze while shouting “Drop dead” repeatedly. During his guilty plea in September 2023, he expressed regret, stating, “I felt I had no other option but to do what I did. I feel tremendously sorry and the feeling includes a sense of guilt.” Aoba himself sustained burns to over 90% of his body in the fire and was only apprehended after receiving medical treatment.
Getty Images Aoba explained that he believed only a few people would die. Japan’s capital punishment, which includes multiple murders, remains in effect. Following conviction, individuals commonly spend years or even decades on death row before execution by hanging. The Kyoto Animation Studio, also known as KyoAni, is well-regarded for its popular films and graphic novels such as K-On! and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Watch: The blaze ripped through the animation studio headquarters in July 2019 Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Beta Terms By using the Beta Site, you agree that such use is at your own risk and you know that the Beta Site may include known or unknown bugs or errors, that we have no obligation to make this Beta Site available with or without charge for any period of time, nor to make it available at all, and that nothing in these Beta Terms or your use of the Beta Site creates any employment relationship between you and us. The Beta Site is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and we make no warranty to you of any kind, express or implied.In case of conflict between these Beta Terms and the BBC Terms of Use these Beta Terms shall prevail.
