Kyoto Animation Arsonist Withdraws Appeal, Death Sentence Likely to Be Finalized

Shinji Aoba, the man responsible for the devastating Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) arson attack in 2019, has submitted a withdrawal of his appeal, making it highly likely that his death sentence will be finalized. The Osaka High Court confirmed on January 28, 2025, that Aoba, filed the withdrawal notice on January 27. His legal team may still challenge the withdrawal, but experts believe the sentence is close to being legally confirmed.

On the morning of July 18, 2019, Aoba entered Kyoto Animation’s Studio 1 in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, carrying gasoline, which he used to set the building ablaze. The fire claimed the lives of 36 employees, injured 34 others, and left a huge scar on Japan’s animation industry. It remains one of the deadliest mass killings in Japan’s history and the first such tragedy to hit the animation world.

NHK shared two comments from victims’ family members regarding the appeal withdrawal. A father of a male animator who perished in the tragedy commented that only the defendant knows the reason for withdrawing the appeal and that it may be a “way of taking responsibility and expressing a desire to apologize for taking 36 lives.”

A mother of a female animator victim commented that she would like to know why he chose to withdraw, but that she can’t see any outcome other than the death penalty due to 36 lost lives.

During the trial, which began in September 2022, Aoba claimed he was motivated by the belief that Kyoto Animation had plagiarized his work. His defense team argued that he suffered from mental health issues and pleaded not guilty. However, the Kyoto District Court found him fully responsible and sentenced him to death in 2023.

While the legal proceedings are nearing conclusion, Kyoto Animation has slowly returned to action.

Following the tragedy, Kyoto Animation’s first major release after the attack was Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, which debuted in 2021, with late director Yoshiji Kigami credited as one of its key contributors. The studio also continued to produce other beloved works, and they have two projects set for 2025 – Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: The Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved movie and CITY THE ANIMATION.

Founded in 1985, Kyoto Animation is known for many fan-favorite anime, including K-On!, Free!, A Silent Voice, Clannad, Sound! Euphonium, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Violet Evergarden.

Source: Kyoto Shimbun via Oricon, NHK