The Kyoto Animation Co. arson attack suspect remains hospitalized but his health has improved from a critical condition and police are continuing to wait to serve him an arrest warrant on suspicion of murder and other charges, investigative sources have said.

Shinji Aoba, 41, suffered severe burns in the deadly July 18 attack on a studio of the famed animation house in Kyoto.

According to the sources, Aoba now nods yes or no to questions from his doctor but has not recovered enough to talk.

Following the attack, which killed 35 people, Aoba was captured near the scene and sent to a hospital in Kyoto. Two days later, he was transported by helicopter to a better-equipped hospital in neighboring Osaka Prefecture.

On Friday, the Kyoto Prefectural Police announced the ages and genders of 35 survivors of the attack but refrained from disclosing their names.

Of them, 34 suffered injuries including burns and bone fractures. Seven are still hospitalized.