Kyoto Animation arson attack

The Kyoto Animation arson attack (Japanese: 京都アニメーション放火殺人事件, Hepburn: Kyōto Animēshon hōka satsujin jiken, lit. 'Kyoto Animation arson murder incident') occurred at Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 building in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, on the morning of 18 July 2019. The arson killed 36 people, injured an additional 34 (including the suspect), and destroyed most of the materials and computers in Studio 1. It is one of the deadliest massacres in Japan since the end of World War II, the deadliest building fire in Japan since the 2001 Myojo 56 building fire, and the first massacre ever to have occurred at a studio associated with an entertainment company, and the animation industry.

The suspect, who did not work for the studio, entered the front door carrying about 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) of gasoline, then doused the area and several employees before igniting it. After setting himself on fire while lighting the fuel, the suspect attempted to flee, but was apprehended by police about 100 metres (330 ft) from the building. Witnesses stated they heard him accusing the studio of plagiarism. After awaiting his recovery from life-threatening burns for more than ten months, the police arrested 42-year-old Shinji Aoba on suspicion of murder and other offenses on 27 May 2020. He was formally indicted on 16 December 2020. Aoba eventually pled guilty to the charges on 5 September 2023, and was sentenced to death on 25 January 2024.

In addition to condolences and messages of support from national and international leaders, fans and businesses raised over ¥3.3 billion (US$30.27 million) in Japan and over US$2.3 million internationally to help the studio and its employees recover. A special measure was passed by the National Diet to allow for donations to the studio to be tax-exempt. As a result of the incident, some works and collaborations by the studio were delayed, and several events were suspended or cancelled.