According to Japanese public broadcster NHK, the arson suspect, who stormed the Kyoto Animation facility has been identified as 41-year-old Shinji Aoba from the Tokyo suburb of Saitama.
The man allegedly bought two petrol cans and doused the flammable liquid all over the studio to set it on fire.
#Kyoto Animation fire: Suspect behind arson attack that killed 33 'believed studio had stolen his idea for novel' https://t.co/8IDgYsqr9I #news pic.twitter.com/yjam7K4fqC
— 💛💙LegoLASS💚🏳️🌈 (@MouseTr1) July 19, 2019
The police previously stated that he didn't work for the studio. Japanese media outlets have, however, reported that Aoba, who is now in hospital, told investigators he set the fire because the studio "stole his novels".
Kyoto Animation is a famous studio, founded in 1981, which has produced such films and shows as "A Silent Voice", "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya", "Lucky Star", "Clannad", "Full Metal Panic", "Nichijou", and many others.
