The arsonist had been undergoing skin graft treatment for third-degree burns, but due to the lack of supply of donor skin for treatment – which was prioritized for the victims – he was given an experimental treatment with artificial skin.
Kyoto police obtained a warrant for the arsonist's arrest back in October but were waiting until he was able to withstand detention to formally arrest him. Due to the lack of facilities in the Kyoto Police Detention Center, and the pandemic closing the Osaka Police Detention Center after an outbreak of the virus among staff, police in both prefectures were hesitant to formally arrest him.
As of yesterday, the arsonist has now finally been formally arrested.
Kyoto Animation issued the following statement: “In regards to the accused, we have no additional comment. All that matters is his actions and their results. Regardless of how he may try to excuse his actions, or what remorse he may speak of after the fact, our friends whose lives were taken will not come back, nor will it help the wounds of our injured friends heal. Bereaved families and friends now have to face a permanently changed reality, as must we [at Kyoto Animation]. As a company, we obviously agree with prosecutors pursuing the maximum culpability that the law will allow.” During the first interview with investigators, the arsonist reiterated statements attributed to him at the time of the arson. “I had a grudge against Kyo Ani,” he told investigators. He also admitted that “I thought that if I sprayed gasoline around the building while setting the fire, I could kill more people, so that’s why I did that.” Most stomach-churning of all, though, was his reaction to learning just how many lives he took. When informed that 36 people died either in the attack or due to injuries sustained in it, and that another 33 survivors suffered serious injuries, he responded with “Oh, is that so?” (“Sou nan desu ka?”). As the first official interview since the attack, he had been unaware of just how many people had perished. “I thought maybe about two people died” he told the investigators.
