According to locals, a man who resembled Aoba was spotted near the studio days before the incident.<ref name="bbc_20190720_daysbefore"/><ref name="kyodo_20190726_photo"/><ref name="guardian_20190729_daysbefore"/> He was also reported to have visited several places of interest related to ''[[Sound! Euphonium]]'' around the city in days prior to the attack.<ref name="guardian_20190729_daysbefore"/><ref name="jt_20190730_daysbefore" /> Following the attack, Aoba fled the scene after being chased by employees of the studio but was apprehended by the Kyoto Prefectural Police near [[Rokujizō Station]] of [[Keihan Electric Railway]], about {{convert|100|m|ft}} from the studio;<ref name="asahi_20190720_arrest"/> Aoba was then taken to a hospital with severe burns to the legs, chest, and face.<ref name="mainichi_20190718_arson"/><ref name="nhk_20190718_arsonrescue"/>
-During his transport to the hospital, he admitted to having started the fire,<ref name="ann_20190717_fire"/> possibly for revenge,<ref name="variety_20190719_motive"/> accusing the studio of {{Nihongo|"ripping off" or "[[Plagiarism|plagiarising]]"|[[wikt:パクる|パクリ]] [[wikt:やがる|やがって]]|pakuri yagatte|lead=yes}} his novels.{{efn|name=Plagiarism|Plagiarism reports from many sources.<ref name="sankei_20190718_shine" /><ref name="cnbc_20190719_arson"/><ref name="chunichi_20190718_arson"/><ref name="asahi_20190718_pakuri" /><ref name="express_20190718_fundraiser" /><ref name="mainichi_20190719_motive" />}} In spite of this, Hatta had initially stated that there is no record of anyone submitting work to their annual writing contest under his name.<ref name="ann_20190720_presresponse"/> Subsequently, Kyoto Animation revealed that they had received a draft novel from the suspect; however, it did not pass the first-stage assessment and was forgotten, and its contents were confirmed to have no similarities to any of their published works.<ref name="jt_20190731_suspectnovel"/><ref name="hr_20190730_suspectnovel"/> It was later revealed that Aoba believed that a stereotypical scene in the fifth episode of ''[[Tsurune]]'' was similar to one in the novel he submitted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kyoto Animation studio marks 1st anniversary of deadly arson attack |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/9fca48bb3ad0-kyoto-animation-studio-marks-1st-anniversary-of-deadly-arson-attack.html |website=Kyodo News |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Baseel |first1=Casey |title=Kyoto Animation arsonist says which scene he feels copied his work and incited attack |url=https://soranews24.com/2021/01/08/kyoto-anime-arsonist-says-which-scene-he-feels-copied-his-work-and-incited-attack/ |website=SoraNews24 |access-date=10 January 2021}}</ref>
+During his transport to the hospital, he admitted to having started the fire,<ref name="ann_20190717_fire"/> possibly for revenge,<ref name="variety_20190719_motive"/> accusing the studio of {{Nihongo|"ripping off" or "[[Plagiarism|plagiarising]]"|[[wikt:パクる|パクリ]] [[wikt:やがる|やがって]]|pakuri yagatte|lead=yes}} his novels.{{efn|name=Plagiarism|Plagiarism reports from many sources.<ref name="sankei_20190718_shine" /><ref name="cnbc_20190719_arson"/><ref name="chunichi_20190718_arson"/><ref name="asahi_20190718_pakuri" /><ref name="express_20190718_fundraiser" /><ref name="mainichi_20190719_motive" />}} In spite of this, Hatta had initially stated that there is no record of anyone submitting work to their annual writing contest under his name.<ref name="ann_20190720_presresponse"/> Subsequently, Kyoto Animation revealed that they had received a draft novel from the suspect; however, it did not pass the first-stage assessment and was forgotten, and its contents were confirmed to have no similarities to any of their published works.<ref name="jt_20190731_suspectnovel"/><ref name="hr_20190730_suspectnovel"/> It was later revealed that Aoba believed that a stereotypical scene in the fifth episode of ''[[Tsurune]]'' was similar to one in the novel he submitted.<ref name="kyodo_20200718_anniversary"/><ref name="soranews_20210108_copyclaim"/>
Due to serious burns sustained during the incident, Aoba was transferred to a university hospital in [[Osaka]] for further treatment, where he received necessary [[skin graft]] surgery.<ref name="nhk_20190720_aoba1" /><ref name="nhk_20190720_aoba2" /> On 5 September 2019, it was reported that his injuries were no longer considered life-threatening,<ref name="fnnprime_20190905_suspectrecovery"/> but he was still being treated in an ICU and required [[respiratory assistance]] from a [[ventilator]].<ref name="ks_20190917"/> Aoba regained speech on 18 September and began rehabilitation by 8 October, being able to sit up on a wheelchair and hold short conversations. The police obtained a warrant for his arrest, but were required to await confirmation from doctors that Aoba could withstand confinement.<ref name="kyodo_20190918_speech"/><ref name="kyodo_20191008_rehab"/>
On 14 November 2019, he was moved to another hospital in Kyoto City for final rehabilitation.<ref name="jiji_20191114_suspecthospitaltransfer"/> He recovered from most of his injuries and acknowledged responsibility for the attack. He expressed feelings of remorse and gratitude towards the hospital staff, who he said treated him better than anyone had ever done in his life.<ref name="ks_20191115_hospitalkindness"/> On the other hand, he told police that he lit the fire because Kyoto Animation had stolen his novel, and that he expected to get the death penalty.<ref name="jt_20191111_questioning"/> Most of Aoba's burned skin was replaced with experimental artificial skin as the victims were prioritized to receive donor human skin first.<ref name="sky_20191127_arsonskingraft"/><ref name="telegraph_20191127_experimentalskin"/> The use of artificial skin on such extensive burns is the first case in Japan.<ref name="sky_20191127_arsonskingraft" /><ref name="telegraph_20191127_experimentalskin"/>
-By January 2020, Aoba remained hospitalized, and was unable to stand or eat unassisted.<ref name="nhk_20200118_suspectstatus"/> On 27 May 2020, Aoba was judged to have sufficiently recovered from his burn injuries, and he was formally arrested on suspicion of murder and other charges.<ref name="reuters_20200527_suspectarrest"/><ref name="bbc_20200527_suspectcharged"/> He was indicted on 16 December 2020 on murder and other charges.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Multiple murder charges filed over 2019 arson attack on Kyoani|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14024516|access-date=2020-12-16|website=The Asahi Shimbun|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/asia/japan-police-murder-charges-kyoto-animation-arson-case-1234864902/|title=Japan Police File Murder Charges in Kyoto Animation Arson Case|publisher=Variety}}</ref>
+By January 2020, Aoba remained hospitalized, and was unable to stand or eat unassisted.<ref name="nhk_20200118_suspectstatus"/> On 27 May 2020, Aoba was judged to have sufficiently recovered from his burn injuries, and he was formally arrested on suspicion of murder and other charges.<ref name="reuters_20200527_suspectarrest"/><ref name="bbc_20200527_suspectcharged"/> He was indicted on 16 December 2020 on murder and other charges.<ref name="asahi_20201216_murderchargefiled"/><ref name="variety_20201216_murderchargefiled"/>
Aoba had a prior [[criminal history]] and suffered from a [[mental illness]]. In 2012, he robbed a convenience store with a knife in [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]] and was subsequently jailed for three-and-a-half years.<ref name="docomo_20190718T1923+09_suspecthistory"/><ref name="cna_20190719_motive"/> Aoba's mental illness may reduce his maximum penalty for the attack from a [[Capital punishment in Japan|death sentence]] to life imprisonment.<ref name="japantoday_20190817_mentalillness"/>
== Aftermath ==
=== Measures to prevent recurrence ===
The [[Fire and Disaster Management Agency]] and the [[National Police Agency (Japan)|National Police Agency]] issued a notice on 25 July 2019, requiring gas stations to maintain sales records of people purchasing gasoline in refillable containers, which conform to fire safety regulations.<ref name="fdma_20190725_gasolinesaleregs"/> Each record is to contain the buyer's personal information such as name, address, the purpose of the purchase, and quantity purchased.<ref name="fdma_20190725_gasolinesaleregs"/> Although the notice had no legal backing, most buyers complied with this additional requirement voluntarily.<ref name="ks_20200131_gasolinesaleregs"/> This measure was formalised with the relevant regulations revised and enforced on 1 February 2020 to make the sales records mandatory.<ref name="ks_20200131_gasolinesaleregs" /><ref name="ann_20191027_gasolinesalelaw" /> Post incident, the Kyoto Municipal Fire Department formulated guidelines for evacuation in the event of arson or terrorism and encouraged the installation of evacuation ladders.<ref name="asahi_20191017_evacuationguidelines"/>
-As a result of the Kyoto Animation massacre, police in Japan are becoming more vigilant with each death threat directed at other companies (especially [[Khara (studio)|Khara]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Man Arrested for Threatening Evangelion Studio Khara on Twitter|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-16/man-arrested-for-threatening-evangelion-studio-khara-on-twitter/.152303|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Anime News Network|language=en}}</ref> [[Square Enix]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-09|title=40-Year-Old Man Arrested For Threatening Square Enix With "A Repeat Of Kyoto Animation"|url=https://www.siliconera.com/40-year-old-man-arrested-for-threatening-square-enix-with-a-repeat-of-kyoto-animation/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Siliconera|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Animate (retailer)|Animate]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Angry anime shopper tells store employees to 'die' 3,852 times in death threat emails|url=https://japantoday.com/category/crime/angry-anime-shopper-tells-store-employees-to-%27die%27-3-852-times-in-death-threat-emails|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Japan Today|language=en}}</ref> and ''[[Clannad (visual novel)|Clannad]]'' developer company [[Key (company)|Key]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-07|title=Man arrested for arson threats to Kyoto Animation-related video game company|url=https://soranews24.com/2019/09/08/man-arrested-for-arson-threats-to-kyoto-animation-related-video-game-company/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=SoraNews24 -Japan News-|language=en-US}}</ref> all of which alluded to the incident and also received similar Kyoto Animation-referenced death threats), were able to identify the source of the threats, and arrested anyone who sent the threats before any further massacres transpire at these companies.
+As a result of the Kyoto Animation massacre, police in Japan are becoming more vigilant with each death threat directed at other companies (especially [[Khara (studio)|Khara]],<ref name="ann_20191016_kharathreat"/> [[Square Enix]],<ref name="siliconera_20190809_squareenixthreat"/> [[Animate (retailer)|Animate]],<ref name="japantoday_20191215_animatethreat"/> and ''[[Clannad (visual novel)|Clannad]]'' developer company [[Key (company)|Key]],<ref name="soranews_20190908_keythreat"/> all of which alluded to the incident and also received similar Kyoto Animation-referenced death threats), were able to identify the source of the threats, and arrested anyone who sent the threats before any further massacres transpire at these companies.
==Reactions==
[[File:Kyoto animation arson attack 2 20190721.jpg|right|thumb|260px|The entrance to the studio after the arson attack. Bouquets and beverages are placed in memorial.]]
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
+<ref name="ann_20191016_kharathreat">{{Cite web
+ |last = Sherman
+ |first = Jennifer
+ |title = Man Arrested for Threatening Evangelion Studio Khara on Twitter
+ |url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-16/man-arrested-for-threatening-evangelion-studio-khara-on-twitter/.152303
+ |website = Anime News Network
+ |date = 16 October 2019
+ |language = en
+ |access-date = 2021-01-05
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191016173223/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-16/man-arrested-for-threatening-evangelion-studio-khara-on-twitter/.152303
+ |archive-date = 16 October 2019
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="ap_20190720_name">{{cite news
|url = https://apnews.com/8a893462b76e41139048b5a50f34ff5d
|title = Suspect in Japan anime studio arson reportedly had grudge
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
+<ref name="asahi_20201216_murderchargefiled">{{Cite web
+ |title = Multiple murder charges filed over 2019 arson attack on Kyoani
+ |url = http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14024516
+ |access-date = 2020-12-16
+ |website = [[Asahi Shimbun]]
+ |date = 16 December 2020
+ |language = en
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201216085020/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14024516
+ |archive-date = 16 December 2020
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="bbc_20190718_arson">{{cite news
|date = 18 July 2019
|title = Kyoto Animation fire: Arson attack at Japan anime studio kills 33<!--title current as of 20190718T135348Z-->
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
+<ref name="japantoday_20191215_animatethreat">{{Cite web
+ |last = Baseel
+ |first = Casey
+ |title = Angry anime shopper tells store employees to 'die' 3,852 times in death threat emails
+ |url = https://japantoday.com/category/crime/angry-anime-shopper-tells-store-employees-to-%27die%27-3-852-times-in-death-threat-emails
+ |access-date = 5 January 2021
+ |website = Japan Today
+ |language = en
+ |date = 15 December 2019
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191215052328/https://japantoday.com/category/crime/angry-anime-shopper-tells-store-employees-to-%27die%27-3-852-times-in-death-threat-emails
+ |archive-date = 15 December 2019
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="jiji_20190718_explosion">{{cite news
|author = <!-- no byline-->
|title = <!-- translation to English needed -->
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
+<ref name="kyodo_20200718_anniversary">{{cite web
+ |title = Kyoto Animation studio marks 1st anniversary of deadly arson attack
+ |url = https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/9fca48bb3ad0-kyoto-animation-studio-marks-1st-anniversary-of-deadly-arson-attack.html
+ |website = [[Kyodo News]]
+ |date = 18 July 2020
+ |access-date = 4 October 2020
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200718150252/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/9fca48bb3ad0-kyoto-animation-studio-marks-1st-anniversary-of-deadly-arson-attack.html
+ |archive-date = 18 July 2020
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="kyotoshimbun_20190718_fire">{{cite web
|url = https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190718-00010005-kyt-soci
|title = <!-- translation to English needed -->
|date = 31 July 2019
}}</ref>
+<ref name="siliconera_20190809_squareenixthreat">{{Cite web
+ |date = 2019-08-09
+ |title = 40-Year-Old Man Arrested For Threatening Square Enix With "A Repeat Of Kyoto Animation"
+ |url = https://www.siliconera.com/40-year-old-man-arrested-for-threatening-square-enix-with-a-repeat-of-kyoto-animation/
+ |access-date = 2021-01-05
+ |website = Siliconera
+ |language = en-US
+ |author = SATO
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191218100236/https://www.siliconera.com/40-year-old-man-arrested-for-threatening-square-enix-with-a-repeat-of-kyoto-animation/
+ |archive-date = 18 December 2019
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="sky_20190718_arson">{{cite news
|url = https://news.sky.com/story/several-dead-in-suspected-arson-attack-on-japanese-animation-studio-11765396
|title = At least 33 dead in suspected arson attack on Japanese animation studio
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
+<ref name="soranews_20190908_keythreat">{{Cite web
+ |last = Baseel
+ |first = Casey
+ |date = 2019-09-07
+ |title = Man arrested for arson threats to Kyoto Animation-related video game company
+ |url = https://soranews24.com/2019/09/08/man-arrested-for-arson-threats-to-kyoto-animation-related-video-game-company/
+ |access-date = 2021-01-05
+ |website = SoraNews24 -Japan News-
+ |language = en-US
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200517053422/https://soranews24.com/2019/09/08/man-arrested-for-arson-threats-to-kyoto-animation-related-video-game-company/
+ |archive-date = 17 May 2020
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="soranews_20191021_returntowork">{{cite web
|url = https://soranews24.com/2019/10/21/over-80-percent-of-kyoto-animation-employees-injured-in-arson-attack-have-returned-to-work/
|title = Over 80 percent of Kyoto Animation employees injured in arson attack have returned to work
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
+<ref name="soranews_20210108_copyclaim">{{cite web
+ |last1 = Baseel
+ |first1 = Casey
+ |title = Kyoto Animation arsonist says which scene he feels copied his work and incited attack
+ |url = https://soranews24.com/2021/01/08/kyoto-anime-arsonist-says-which-scene-he-feels-copied-his-work-and-incited-attack/
+ |website = SoraNews24
+ |date = 8 January 2021
+ |access-date = 10 January 2021
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210108140122/https://soranews24.com/2021/01/08/kyoto-anime-arsonist-says-which-scene-he-feels-copied-his-work-and-incited-attack/
+ |archive-date = 8 Jan 2021
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="sponichi_20190719_computers">{{cite news
|url = https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190719-00000173-spnannex-ent
|script-title = ja:京都アニメーション・八田社長が会見「堪えきれない。こんな大惨事になるとは…」
<ref name="variety_20190719_motive">{{cite web
|url = https://variety.com/2019/film/asia/revenge-motive-possibly-sparked-kyoto-animation-arson-attack-1203272796/
|title = Revenge Motive May Have Sparked Kyoto Animation Arson Attack
- |last1 = Bull
- |first1 = Brett
+ |last1 = Bull
+ |first1 = Brett
|last2 = Frater
|first2 = Patrick
|date = 19 July 2019
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
+<ref name="variety_20201216_murderchargefiled">{{cite web
+ |url = https://variety.com/2020/biz/asia/japan-police-murder-charges-kyoto-animation-arson-case-1234864902/
+ |title = Japan Police File Murder Charges in Kyoto Animation Arson Case
+ |publisher = Variety
+ |last = Frater
+ |first = Patrick
+ |date = 16 December 2020
+ |access-date = 7 Jun 2021
+ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201217063204/https://variety.com/2020/biz/asia/japan-police-murder-charges-kyoto-animation-arson-case-1234864902/
+ |archive-date = 17 December 2020
+ |url-status = live
+}}</ref>
+
<ref name="wapo_20190718_arson">{{cite news
|last1 = Rich
|first1 = Motoko
projects / BK-2020-09.git / blobdiff