One of the most lurid cases in recent weeks is finally solved, with the capture of Junji Matsumoto.
The 59-year-old Fukuoka city resident made headlines when it was discovered that he committed the murder of his parents, Hirokazu and Makie Matsumoto, aged 88 and 87 respectively. Being revealed to media like Yomiuri Shimbun, as well as The Tokyo Reporter.
Her son served as her caregiver and caregiver for both seniors, living in the same family home. However, between June 20 and June 21, Junji would commit the acts that would end his parents’ lives.
Two days later, he would disappear without a trace, fleeing by bicycle and later by train, on a journey that would cover the prefectures of Yamaguchi, Shizuoka, Akita and Yamagata. Finally being arrested in the city of Kyoto, on suspicion of murder.
Anime as an excuse
Once in custody, Matsumoto would confess to the entire crime. Living with his parents was annoying for him, not being able to enjoy his passion for anime, as he explained to the authorities.
“During one particularly good scene, my father called incessantly for me to help him. By complaining about my attitude, I killed him, ”said the suspect in his statement to the police. His fondness for Japanese animation is what has made this case famous outside the borders of Japan, by essentially giving the window to the “homicidal otaku.”
This has not taken long to create a banal discussion about how anime affects people or not and if fanaticism by this means is capable of turning people into criminals of the worst kind.
It is important to make clear that this type of argument takes the burden of the crime away from the perpetrator, who committed a heinous homicide, covered his tracks and fled, with full knowledge that he would suffer prison sentence for his actions.
