Sato has been charged with three counts of assault but denies all charges, claiming he mutilated himself.
A defense likely to prompt expert forensic analysis, psychiatric evaluations, and legal representation for complex criminal charges, all of which fall under high-expense legal and healthcare advisory categories.
Online, some likened the case to a real-life yandere, a common anime trope involving obsessive and violent lovers.
But experts warn that these narratives often distract from the serious need for trauma-informed care, legal support systems, and ongoing mental health treatment plans.
