Shinji
Aoba, the man responsible for the arson attack on Kyoto Animation Studios in
2019, has decided to withdraw his appeal to avoid the death penalty ,
the Osaka Prefectural Court of Appeals said in a statement. This confirms the
final sentence for one of the worst mass murders in recent Japanese history.
Aoba, 46, was sentenced to death in January 2024 by the
Tokyo District Court after his actions resulted in the deaths of 36 people at
the renowned anime studio. The court found that he was mentally competent to
stand trial for his actions. Although his defense had initially
appealed the sentence, Aoba decided to withdraw the appeal this week.
The attack occurred on July 18, 2019, when Aoba entered
the Kyoto Animation building at 10:30 a.m., where 70 people were working. Aoba
set the studio on fire using gasoline, killing 36 people and injuring 32 more. Aoba
confessed to his involvement in the crime, but the trial focused on whether he
was mentally well enough to be held criminally responsible.
Aoba justified the attack by saying that he did it
because he thought Kyoto Animation had plagiarized a novel he had submitted to
a contest organized by the studio. His defense asked for a lighter
sentence, arguing that he was not of sound mind due to his delusions. However,
the court acknowledged that although Aoba suffered from a delusional disorder,
his actions were not seriously affected by it.
Relatives of the victims have expressed a mix of anger
and sadness over the situation. The grandfather of Megumu Ono, one of
the victims, said that although he feels some relief, he is still not satisfied
with the process. “ I don’t know if this is an apology, but I feel a
little bit of relief ,” he said. Ono’s grandmother, on the other
hand, continues to wonder why Aoba is still alive, as she prays for her
granddaughter every morning and night.
Kyoto Animation, known for anime such as “K-On!” and “The
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya,” remains one of the most important production
companies in the industry. The attack on the studio left a deep mark
on fans and the families of the victims. And this news did not go unnoticed:
- " The
death of the accused will not pay for his crime ."
- " I
know there is no other option, but the doctors made an incredible effort
to keep him alive ."
- « At
last, although it took a long time. The people who died will not return,
but I pray for their eternal rest .»
- " He
seems to regret his actions, but he still believes he was kidnapped. I
want him to realize the truth before he is executed ."
- " There
was no other possible verdict, but has the motive behind the attack been
fully clarified? "
- " Finally,
it's about time ."
- " Hasn't
his death sentence already been confirmed? Too late! "
- " Thank
you to the medical professionals who helped him, so that he could face his
crimes ."
- " Is
this finally coming to an end? "
- " It
all depends on when it is executed ."
Source: HachimaKikou
Copyright NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). All rights
reserved
