A man responsible for a devastating arson attack on a Kyoto anime studio, resulting in the deaths of 36 people, has been sentenced to death. Shinji Aoba, 45, executed the deadly crime in July 2019, storming Kyoto Animation No. 1 studio, yelling “drop dead,” and setting the building ablaze. The incident shocked the anime industry and fans worldwide, marking one of Japan’s deadliest crimes in recent history.
Survivors recounted how Aoba, on the morning of July 18, 2019, broke into the studio, spread gasoline, ignited it, and shouted menacingly. Tragically, over half of the studio’s workforce perished in the attack, with 30 others sustaining injuries.
Chief Judge Keisuke Masuda ruled that Aoba’s act of pouring gasoline and setting it ablaze was extremely likely to be fatal and constituted a cruel and inhumane act. The victims, mostly young artists, were engulfed in fire and smoke in an instant, turning the studio into a horrific scene.
Aoba was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and arson, resulting in a death sentence by long-drop hanging. Despite Aoba’s lawyers citing mental incompetence, judges ruled that he knew what he was doing. Prosecutors had long sought the death penalty, asserting that Aoba’s crime was motivated by a desire for revenge, fueled by baseless claims that the studio stole his ideas.
During his guilty plea in September 2023, Aoba admitted to not anticipating the scale of casualties and expressed remorse. Aoba suffered severe burns, and his arrest took place after 10 months of hospitalisation and multiple surgeries.
Japan, maintaining capital punishment, has widespread public support for the practice. Hanging remains the sole execution method, but it has faced criticism for its perceived cruelty and secrecy. Aoba’s death sentence comes amid debates over the ethical aspects of the death penalty in Japan, where inmates on death row often endure prolonged solitary confinement.
The courtroom, filled with family members of the victims, witnessed the sentencing, evoking emotional responses. Outside the courthouse, KyoAni fans gathered, with some expressing hope that the verdict would bring attention to the studio’s work. Founded in 1981, Kyoto Animation is beloved for its anime series, and the devastating attack prompted a global outpouring of support, including a crowdfunding campaign to aid the affected firm. Company president Hideaki Hatta welcomed the verdict while acknowledging the profound loss of their employees.
