In a shocking decision, The Kyoto District Court in Japan has handed down the death penalty to Shinji Aoba.the individual responsible for the devastating arson attack on the first studio building Kyoto Animation. The unfortunate incident occurred on the morning of July 18, 2019, when Aoba entered the building carrying about 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 relationship with the studio, sprayed gasoline on the premises and several employees before igniting 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 recovering from potentially fatal 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, has been affected by delays in works and collaborations, as well as the suspension or cancellation of several events.

Aoba's admission that he thought Kyoto Animation had plagiarized several of his works adds an additional layer of tragedy to this case. The death sentence handed down by the Kyoto Court highlights the gravity of this crime and leaves an indelible mark on the history of Japanese animation.

Source: Live News