Kyoto Animation-Linked DVD Found at Suspect’s Home

July 28, 2019

Kyoto- Police have found a DVD of a Kyoto Animation Co.-related work at the home of the 41-year-old suspect in a deadly arson attack against the company's No. 1 studio in Kyoto, western Japan, earlier this month, investigative sources said Saturday.

The DVD was among items confiscated during a search by the Kyoto prefectural police of the suspect's apartment in the eastern city of Saitama on Friday

It is the first time for any link to be confirmed between the suspect, Shinji Aoba, and Kyoto Animation.

The company, called KyoAni by anime fans, is believed to have been involved in the production of the work of the confiscated DVD.

Aoba is said to have claimed when he was captured following the attack that he set fire at the studio because the company stole his novel. However, there are no records of Aoba applying for his novel to be made into anime by Kyoto Animation, according to the company.

The items confiscated from Aoba's home also included a smartphone and a badly damaged large speaker, according to the sources.

The police have yet to serve an arrest warrant on Aoba on murder and other charges as he is in intensive care for severe burns at a hospital in Osaka Prefecture, also in western Japan.

Aoba fell into unconsciousness after the attack but has recently started to show subtle responses, informed sources said. Still, a senior Kyoto police official said the suspect's life remains in danger.

The death toll from the arson attack has reached 35. Jiji Press