A man named Shinji Aoba pleaded guilty to committing one of the deadliest arson attacks in recent memory. On July 18, 2019, Kyoto Animation‘s No. 1 studio turned into the site of a horrendous arson attack that killed 36 individuals and left more than 30 others with serious burns and injuries.
As the trial unfolds, it raises questions about the motives behind this devastating incident, the mental state of the accused, and the profound impact on the victims, their families, and the world of anime.
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The day of July 18, 2019, began like some other at the Kyoto Animation studio. Situated in southern Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, the studio was known for its greatness in delivering top notch anime series and movies.
About 70 employees were diligently working inside the three-story building, pursuing their passion for animation. Little did they know that this day would mark a turning point in their lives and in the history of Kyoto Animation.
Shinji Aoba, a 45-year-elderly person, would change everything that day. Aoba entered the studio’s premises with a sinister intent – to exact what he believed to be “revenge” for what he perceived as the theft of his novel.
He had submitted his work to a company contest, and when it was not chosen, he developed a deep-seated grudge against Kyoto Animation.
When inside the studio, Aoba splashed the ground floor with gas prior to setting it burning. As the flares emitted, he purportedly yelled, “Drop dead.” The fire spread quickly through the structure, allowing for those inside to get away. Panic and chaos ensued as the employees attempted to flee from the inferno.
One survivor, an animator, described seeing a black mushroom cloud rising from ground floor, followed by scorching heat that forced him to jump from a window to escape, gasping for air.
Experts later speculated that many of the victims might have succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning due to the rapid and intense blaze.
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The fire was a horrible that nobody might have predicted, and its fallout was similarly devastating. When the flames were finally extinguished, the true extent of the tragedy became painfully clear.
Thirty-six people had lost their lives, and more than 30 others were left with severe burns and injuries, forever scarred by the events of that day. Families were shattered, and the entire anime community mourned the loss of talented individuals whose creativity had brought joy to countless fans.
For Shinji Aoba, tthe consequences were equally severe. He suffered severe burns covering 90% of his body during the attack and came dangerously close to death. He spent weeks unconscious and endured a grueling 10-month stay at a specialized burn treatment center.
During this time, he underwent multiple skin transplant surgeries that ultimately saved his life. His journey to recovery was nothing short of a medical miracle.
Aoba’s arrest came in May 2020 when he was last publicly seen on a stretcher, taken into custody by law enforcement. However, the legal battle was far from over. Prosecutors waited an additional six months for the results of a psychiatric evaluation before formally pressing charges.
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As the judicial procedures started off, the intentions behind Aoba’s activities stayed a subject of speculation and scrutiny.
Aoba’s defense lawyers argued that he should not be held criminally responsible for his actions due to his alleged mental incompetence. They asserted that he was suffering from delusions and that he was unable to distinguish between right and wrong at the time of the attack.
On the other hand, prosecutors argued that Aoba was mentally fit to stand trial and that he could be held fully responsible for his heinous actions. They maintained that Aoba’s beliefs about his work being stolen by Kyoto Animation were delusional but did not absolve him of criminal liability.
On September 5, 2023, Shinji Aoba showed up before the Kyoto District Court for his trial. He showed up in a wheelchair, a stark reminder of the physical toll his actions had taken on him. Clad in a surgical mask, he listened as the charges against him were read aloud.
During the trial, Aoba made a surprising confirmation – he pleaded guilty to the murder of 36 people, attempted murder, and arson.
In a statement, he expressed remorse, stating that the attack was all he could think about at the time but that he never thought so many people would die. He acknowledged that he had gone too far.
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