1 of 2 firefighters battle a fire at Kyoto Animation in western Japan, Thursday (18) Photo: Kyodo News via AP Firefighters battle a fire at Kyoto Animation in western Japan, Thursday (18) Photo: Kyodo News via AP
The case occurred in 2019 and had global impact. In addition to the deaths, 32 people were injured in the fire.
Shinji Aoba, 45, has already admitted causing the fire and said he regrets the crime. His lawyers argued that Aoba suffered from psychiatric problems.
However, during the trial this Thursday, the court found that Aoba was neither suffering from any mental disorders nor weakened at the time of the crime.
When reading out the verdict, the judge noted that the crime was “truly cruel and inhumane.”
When he admitted his guilt last year, Aoba said he had gone too far and he didn't think it would cause so many deaths.
The condemned man also almost died in the fire. 90% of his skin was burned, he had to undergo several operations and was in the hospital in a coma for weeks.
2 of 2 Part of the Kyoto Animation building was engulfed in fire Photo: Kyodo / via Portal Part of the Kyoto Animation building was engulfed in fire Photo: Kyodo / via Portal
On the morning of July 18, 2019, there were approximately 70 people in the Kyoto Animation building when Aoba entered the property and threw a flammable liquid. According to the investigation, during the action he shouted: “Die.”
Witnesses said the flames spread quickly. Around 40 fire engines were mobilized to contain the flames.
According to the Japanese press, Aoba was angry at the studio and believed that the creators had plagiarized one of his works. Kyoto Animation denies any kind of copying.
The company, better known as “KyoAni,” was founded in 1981. The studio produces cartoons, creates characters and designs products derived from series inspired by famous Japanese manga.
His productions include “KON!”, “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” and “Lucky Star.”
Although not wellknown internationally, the company was responsible for secondary animation work used in “Pokémon” and “Winnie the Pooh.”