What motive drove the deadly arson attack on Kyoto Animation?

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Shinji Aoba Admitted to Arson Attack Driven by Delusion of Stolen Ideas

Shinji Aoba admitted to starting the deadly arson attack at Kyoto Animation in July 2019, an act that claimed the lives of 36 people and injured over 30 others. Prosecutors presented the motive as a delusion held by Aoba, who believed the studio had stolen his ideas. However, Kyoto Animation has denied this claim. Aoba's defense team has entered a plea of not guilty, citing mental illness and asserting he lacked the capacity to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the incident.
Aoba's Belief of Stolen Ideas

Prosecutors stated that Shinji Aoba harboured a "delusion" that Kyoto Animation had stolen his creative work. This belief reportedly served as the primary driver for his actions. Despite Aoba's admission of starting the fire, the specific nature of the ideas he believed were taken and the extent of his perceived grievance remain central to the legal proceedings.
Kyoto Animation's Denial of Theft

Kyoto Animation has officially denied any claims that they stole ideas from Shinji Aoba. The company has consistently refuted Aoba's assertion, presenting a counter-narrative to the motive presented by the prosecution. This denial forms a crucial point of contention in understanding the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Defense Plea Based on Mental Incapacity

The legal defense for Shinji Aoba has centered on the argument of mental illness. His lawyers entered a plea of not guilty, contending that Aoba "did not have the capacity to distinguish between good and bad and to stop committing the crime due to a mental disorder." This defense suggests that his actions, while admitted, were not the result of rational intent but rather a consequence of impaired mental faculties.

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What motive drove the deadly arson attack on Kyoto Animation?

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