Shinji Aoba was sentenced to death on January 25th, 2023 for setting fire to Kyoto Animation’s Studio 1 building in July of 2019, which killed 36 people. Presiding Judge Keisuke Matsuda delivered the ruling that Aoba was mentally competent and fully responsible for his criminal actions.
The judge explained that psychiatric reports following Aoba’s indictment showed he suffered from a delusional disorder. However, his hesitancy right before committing the deadly arson demonstrated rational thinking and an understanding of the consequences.
The court determined that neither insanity nor diminished mental capacity exempted him from culpability.
While acknowledging Aoba’s mental health issues, Judge Matsuda ultimately decided the cruelty and scale of the crime, which deeply impacted victims’ families and society, necessitated the maximum penalty under the law.
The ruling provided a sense of long-awaited justice for survivors and victims’ loved ones still grieving from this tragic and devastating attack on the animation studio.
Kyoto Animation Arsonist Receives Death Sentence
In his ruling, Judge Matsuda emphasized that Shinji Aoba carried out the attack on Kyoto Animation entirely of his own volition, despite his mental health issues.
The judge stated Aoba’s delusional disorder did not impact his decision to commit the deadly arson, which Judge Matsuda labeled as an atrocious and inhumane act.
He emotionally described the immense horror and pain suffered by the victims, as Studio 1 was instantly turned into an inferno from which over 30 artists and creators could not escape.
After the death sentence verdict was delivered, Kyoto Animation President Hideaki Hatta released a statement through his legal team. He expressed respect and gratitude for the jury bearing responsibility throughout the lengthy trial.
Appreciation was also shown to the prosecutors, police, judges, court staff, and all others involved in ensuring a fair judicial process and consideration for the victims.
The statement conveyed that justice had been appropriately served in accordance with the law. This brought a sense of closure for Kyoto Animation after much grief and suffering in the aftermath of the horrific attack on their studio and colleagues.
Aiming for Recovery and Honoring Victims’ Legacies
The statement from Kyoto Animation’s President Hatta went on to convey that despite justice being served, their profound sense of regret and grief remains unchanged.
Their hearts continue to ache when thinking of the employees who lost their lives, those injured, and all the loved ones impacted by the tragedy.
As a company, Hatta said Kyoto Animation hopes to honor those killed by cherishing the creative works they poured their hearts into and carrying on their aspirations through continued animation production.
He shared that daily efforts have been made to recover, including welcoming many young individuals who have joined Kyoto Animation since the arson attack.
The company remains committed to valuing its employees, helping each staff member develop their talents, and creating animated works as much as possible moving forward.
During the trial, Shinji Aoba admitted to setting fire to the studio which took 36 lives – the deadliest mass killing in Japan in nearly 20 years.
He expressed regret over his actions and revealed he committed the crime because he believed Kyoto Animation had plagiarized his novel. This unfounded grudge and false accusation ultimately led to the devastating attack.
Kyoto Animation President Denies Plagiarism Claim
Kyoto Animation President Hideaki Hatta firmly denied Aoba’s claims that the studio had stolen his novel during the trial proceedings.
Since Shinji Aoba admitted to carrying out the deadly arson attack, the focus of the trial shifted to determining his mental state and competence at the time.
The defense argued that Aoba was unable to distinguish reality from fiction when he ignited the blaze, gripped by delusions about his novel being plagiarized.
In closing statements, Aoba’s legal team contended he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity or have his sentence reduced given his mentally incompetent condition during the crime.
Prosecutors pushed for the death penalty and disputed the defense’s diminished capacity arguments.
The tragic fire broke out at Kyoto Animation’s Studio 1 building on July 18th, 2019 with around 70 people inside at the time. Thirty-six lost their lives and another thirty-three suffered injuries after being trapped in the inferno that rapidly consumed the animation studio.
Even a passerby in his forties on his way to work was harmed by the emanating smoke.
