Kyoto Animation is one of Japan's most renowned animation studios, but the site suffered a large-scale fire that took the lives of 36 people in 2019. So, after almost four years, it has been decided that the studio's arsonist will receive the its verdict in 2024.
Japan – Attack on Kyoto Animation studio ends next year
According to Crunchyroll , the Kyoto District Court has ruled that Shinji Aoba , the 41-year-old man who burned down Kyoto Animation, will receive his verdict on January 25, 2024. Before he receives his trial, the court ruled that Aoba goes to court for the first time on September 5th.
However, he had to undergo two psychological evaluations to determine his mental condition to face trial. One assessment was from the prosecution while the other was from the defense and both stated that he is capable of going to court. The pre-trial process already started in May, so the trial should end by December of this year to give the verdict in January.
Aoba set fire to Kyoto Animation on July 18, 2019, killing several people at the studio, as well as injuring 34 people with burns. However, Aoba was also caught in the fire and was hospitalized for almost a year. After he was released from the hospital, the court indicted the arsonist in December 2020.
Victims who died in the fire include Futoshi Nishiya (chief animation director of Free! ), Yasuhiro Takemoto (director of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya ), Shouko Ikeda (character designer of Sound! Euphonium ) and many other professional animators.
Have you ever watched Kyoto Animation's anime and were also shocked when the studio was set on fire? Leave your comment below!
Source: Crunchyroll
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