Photo/Illutration Under a blue blanket, Shinji Aoba is transferred to a hospital in Kyoto city on Nov. 14. (Taku Hosokawa)

KYOTO--A suspected arsonist said he targeted the No. 1 studio of Kyoto Animation Co. because it was the company’s most crowded office and he wanted a maximum number of casualties, according to investigative sources.

The July 18 attack at the studio killed 36 people and injured 34.

Kyoto prefectural police questioned Shinji Aoba, 41, during his recovery at a hospital from severe burns covering his body.

Aoba said he was determined to carry out the attack when he left his home in Saitama city’s Minuma Ward on July 15 and took a bullet train to Kyoto, the sources said. He claimed that Kyoto Animation had stolen his work.

Before the attack, a man believed to be Aoba was captured in security camera footage near Kyoto Animation’s head office and its No. 2 studio, both in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, as well as the company’s No. 1 studio in Kyoto city’s Fushimi Ward.

Aoba said he attacked the No. 1 studio because it had the largest number of employees among the company’s offices and would result in a heavy casualty count, the sources said.

In the attack, gasoline was poured on the first floor of the studio and set on fire, trapping dozens of employees inside the three-story building. Aoba was also severely burned in the fire.

A hammer and six knives were found near the front door of the studio. When asked about those weapons, Aoba said he was thinking to shatter a window if the door was locked and intended to attack anyone who tried to stop him, the sources said.

Prefectural police have obtained an arrest warrant for the unemployed suspect. They said they will carefully assess the extent of his recovery to determine when to arrest him on suspicion of murder.

Police said Aoba was transferred to a hospital in Kyoto city on Nov. 14 following special treatment for his burns at a hospital in Osaka Prefecture.

The investigative sources said he was questioned mainly about his motives for an hour or two on Nov. 8 before the transfer.