The suspect behind the 2019 Arson attack that killed 36 people at Kyoto Animation, an anime studio, admitted charges on September 5th, 2023. His name is Aobashinji. He released gasoline in the studio and set it to light in July 2019.
In the 22nd and final trial for the Kyoto Arson case, the District Court heard the defendant’s and prosecutor’s final hearing argument, as well as Aoba’s final statement, on December 7, 2023.
At the time of the Attack, there were 70 people inside the building, from which 36 people lost their lives and many people were severely injured.
Kyoto Animation is one of the famous production houses and has also produced very popular shows like The Silent Voice Movie, K-On, etc. Kyoto Animation’s production stopped after that attack.
The Real Story Of Aoba Shinji
Aoba said that he did not think that so many people would die from the Attack. During the first hearing of Aoba, his defendant made a plea that he was not mentally competent to take criminal charges for his actions.
When he was questioned why he did such an act, he told the investigators that he attacked because Kyowani stole his novel.
The Prosecutors demanded the death penalty for Aoba Shinji, who had admitted to the attack on Kyoto Animation in which 36 people were killed.
This is one of the largest mass murders in Japan after postwar. The Prosecutors said it is unimaginable the pain and suffering of the families of the victims. It is also by far the largest mass murder in Japanese history.
While Aoba Shinji’s defendant said that he was not mentally competent during his attempt at his action, he also mentioned that he should not receive the death penalty and should be given a reduced sentence.
Aoba Shinji’s defendant also said that he could not differentiate between delusion and reality, which was later confirmed by the doctors, and they agreed that the defendant did suffer from “severe Delusional disorder.”
The Prosecutors did accept that Aoba suffered from Delusional disorder, but it was not enough reason for them to avoid punishment for the crime he had committed.
According to their perspective, Aoba had a selfish intent, and he planned for this attack on his own. They also mentioned the victims had no fault in this matter and did not deserve this faith.
Aoba Shinji’s Final Closing Statement
Aoba’s final statement was that he had answered all the questions asked of him, and there was nothing to add to the hearing, which took place on December 6, 2023.
He apologized for the first time for the crime which he committed and also to the victim’s families.
When Aoba was asked by the Prosecutor about the opinion of the victims’ families of his punishment with the death penalty. Aoba said I think I should be punished in that way.
He also said that he had realized his mistake little by little over time and felt sorry.
He mentioned that only if he had received help from someone before the incident happened, he might not have done it.
Aoba said that he is grateful for receiving assistance for rehabilitation of burns he got from the incident, and if he had been in this helpful environment before, he would not have done this.
The final verdict of the Kyoto Animation Arson Trial will be held on January 25, 2024, and the court will announce the punishment for Aoba Shinji.
Now, all the decisions lie in the hands of the court, and it will decide the faith of Aoba and the family members of the victims. Two memorials are set to be released in July 2024 in memory of the 5th anniversary of the incident to honor the Arson Attack victims.
