Kyoto Animation arsonist’s defense team seeks to reinstate appeal

The legal team representing Shinji Aoba, the man convicted of arson in the 2019 Kyoto Animation fire that tragically claimed 36 lives and injured 32 others, has filed a motion to nullify his recent appeal withdrawal.

Aoba, who was sentenced to death by the Kyoto District Court in January 2024, withdrew his appeal against the sentence on the 28th of January 2025.

However, his legal team has now filed a motion with the Osaka High Court seeking to overturn this decision.

Japanese law allows for the nullification of appeal withdrawals if the court determines that the defendant was unable to make an informed decision due to the significant emotional and psychological impact of the death sentence.

The arson attack, which occurred on July 18, 2019, resulted in a devastating fire at Kyoto Animation’s Studio 1 building, where 70 individuals were present at the time.

Aoba, armed with 40 liters of gasoline, intentionally set fire to the building, causing widespread destruction and claiming numerous lives.

The trial, which commenced in May 2023, included extensive testimony and deliberation.

The prosecution argued for the death penalty, while the defense focused on mitigating circumstances, including Aoba’s mental state at the time of the attack.

Following the Kyoto District Court’s verdict in January 2024, Aoba initially filed an appeal as is standard in many cases where the death penalty is handed down.

However, he subsequently withdrew this appeal in early 2025, prompting his legal team to intervene and seek its nullification.

Though it was widely expected that Aoba’s legal team would seek to have his appeal withdrawal reversed, the latest developments will potentially cause ongoing distress for the families of the victims and for those that survived the attack.

The Osaka High Court will now consider the legal team’s motion and determine whether to proceed with the appeal process.