Kyoto Animation Arsonist Dropped Death Sentence Appeal, But His Lawyers Are Seeking to Override Him

Danica Davidson February 5, 2025

There is another twist in the case of Shinji Aoba, the convicted Kyoto Animation arsonist who was sentenced to the death penalty for murdering 36 people and injuring 32 more. Aoba and his legal team appealed the death sentence after he received it last year, but then Aoba decided to withdraw the appeal on January 27, 2025, meaning the death penalty verdict would go ahead without a fight. He did not give a reason. Nevertheless, now there will be a fight because his defense team is seeking to nullify Aoba’s decision.

Sometimes defense teams in Japan will go after an appeal even if their client doesn’t want it. When Aoba’s defense didn’t do this right away, some people speculated that this meant everything was over and done. However, after some days went by, the defense team leapt into action.

The documents filed to the Osaka High Court have not been made public. The Mainichi Shumbun, a Japanese news outlet, said there are examples in Japan of lawyers nullifying their defendants’ appeal withdrawals by arguing the defendant was so shocked by the prospect of the death penalty that they weren’t thinking straight. Aoba’s defense throughout the case has likewise been that he was too deluded and mentally ill to understand what he was doing when he committed the arson.

Aoba never denied that he committed the crime, and stated he believed that Kyoto Animation plagiarized from his work. Most of the victims’ family members said they were content with him receiving the death sentence, though not everyone agreed with that verdict.

The Osaka High Court now has to go over the new filings. After private discussions, it will be determined if Aoba will receive an appeal trial, or if the court will uphold his withdrawal request.

The arson took place in 2019 and has received attention all over the world.

Source: The Mainichi Shimbun

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.