TOKYO, Japan – An arson attack on an anime studio in Kyoto, Japan resulted in the death of 36 people, as a man was convicted of murder and other crimes for the tragic incident. The attack on Kyoto Animation’s No. 1 studio in 2019 led to an outpouring of grief from anime fans worldwide. The convicted man, Shinji Aoba, was found mentally capable to face punishment for the crimes, as confirmed by the Kyoto District Court, with the judge expected to announce the penalty later in the day according to Japanese media sources.
Aoba stormed into the studio and set it on fire, leading to the death of 36 people from carbon monoxide poisoning, while more than 30 others were badly burned or injured. Prosecutors revealed that Aoba carried out the attack in seeking revenge, believing the studio had stolen novels he submitted for a company contest. The 45-year-old assailant was severely burned and spent 10 months in the hospital before his arrest in May 2020, appearing in court in a wheelchair.
While Aoba’s defense lawyers argued that he was mentally unfit to be held criminally responsible, the survivors of the attack have recounted harrowing experiences from the incident. The company, known as KyoAni, had a significant impact on the anime industry, having produced a popular anime series and trained aspiring animators. Japanese media also shed light on Aoba’s troubled history, describing him as a troublemaker with a volatile work and living situation.
The arson attack at Kyoto Animation’s studio was Japan’s deadliest since 2001, and represented the country’s worst known case of arson in modern times. The incident has left a lasting impact on the anime industry and its fans worldwide, as the victims and their families seek justice for the tragic loss of life.