The Death Note musical solves the anime’s biggest problem

As someone who grew up in Japan and was introduced to Death Note during its initial release, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to this intricate tale of justice, morality, and human nature. The anime captured my imagination with its clever plot twists, complex characters, and dark themes that resonated with me on a personal level.

Although “Death Note” is widely recognized as an exceptional anime, the animated adaptation of Tsugumi Ohba’s manga doesn’t hold a candle to the best telling of the story between Light and L. It’s not just about the live-action Netflix production, which does have some advantages over the anime, but rather a stage musical that you might not have had the chance to watch yet.

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In an intriguing turn of events, “Death Note” introduces us to Light, a brilliant high school student with an exceptional intellect. His life takes an unusual turn when he stumbles upon a mysterious notebook called the Death Note. With this book, one can eliminate anyone in the world just by writing down their name. Accompanying the Death Note is Ryuk, a shinigami demon, who seems to enjoy creating disorder and amusement in his eternal existence.

The “Death Note” anime, debuted in 2007, served as an early warning sign for the impending shift towards darker and complex themes in popular culture. In its initial stages, Madhouse Studio skillfully reimagined typical shonen anime elements to craft a more intricate, mature, and thought-provoking narrative than most offerings during that period. High school students, who were the protagonists, would plan their next actions in slow-motion. However, the overall tone was reminiscent of a gritty adult mystery akin to “Seven,” rather than the carefree spirit of shows like “Dragon Ball.”

In its more brilliant instances, director Tetsurō Araki handles a seemingly whimsical concept with great depth and weightiness.

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of anime, I’ve been hooked on this series for the past 15 episodes. Light and L engage in an intellectual battle that keeps me on the edge of my seat, just like a challenging game of chess. Each move they make is meticulously planned and executed with precision, leaving me guessing their next strategy. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping things exciting while maintaining a delightful level of absurdity. It’s an addictive blend of mental agility and suspense that I can’t get enough of!

As the series neared its finale, the complexity escalated, with the clash between Light and L introducing numerous figures, companies, regulations, strategies, and rebuttals. Consequently, the significance of the conflict became unclear. Not unfamiliar in mystery stories is the tendency for characters to act inconsistently as the plot requires, leading to seemingly erratic behavior that appears to contradict their previous shrewdness – a predicament L unfortunately found himself in.

The interplay between L and Light is the core essence of “Death Note.” When the anime stopped featuring L, it lost its depth. After a five-year gap, two new characters emerge to investigate Kira, but neither matches up to Light in an engaging way, resulting in an unsatisfying ending that diminishes the significance of the events preceding it.

Netflix’s initial live-action adaptation of “Death Note,” which is the first as another version is in development from the makers of “Stranger Things,” altered the original storyline by making loose adaptations and eliminating the post-L narrative entirely. This resulted in a production that had a stronger focus on high school themes and plot, rather than maintaining the dark and intricate tone of the source material. In this adaptation, Light (played by Nat Wolff) demonstrates far less intellectual prowess and motivation compared to the original character. Instead, he employs the Death Note primarily for revenge against tormentors and to eliminate a few criminals. Despite this change in focus, L (portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield) remains compelled to pursue Light due to the violent actions taken.

In a refreshing twist, the American adaptation of “Death Note,” often criticized by fans, doesn’t completely miss the mark. Director Adam Wingard acknowledges and even amplifies the absurdity of the storyline, making it more lighthearted compared to the rigidly serious anime original. However, this rendition falls short when it comes to delivering a fulfilling conclusion to the intense face-off between Light and L. Instead, it settles for an extravagant climax rather than a clever mind game between these two central figures.

The musical “Death Note,” originally composed as a concept album in 2014 by Frank Wildhorn (“Jekyll & Hyde”) and Jack Murphy (“The Civil War”), with a book by Ivan Menchell, has been performed multiple times globally. Its most recent adaptation graced the West End stage in 2023. This musical production is truly captivating. The art of musical theater beautifully accommodates the introspective dialogues that are synonymous with shonen anime, while the melodic numbers preserve the slightly more mature tone that the anime genre aims to convey.

As a devoted fan, I’d describe my experience with the musical adaptation of “Death Note” as follows: This version skillfully brings the first fifteen episodes of the anime to life through captivating rock opera numbers. Wildhorn masterfully transforms Light’s initial anger towards the justice system, their clever tennis match, and Ryuk’s ongoing amusement into memorable songs. The iconic demon costume, previously worn by Broadway sensation Adam Pascal, adds an extraordinary touch.

In a surprising and ironic twist, just as Light believes he’s achieved godlike status on Earth, something beyond his control ends his reign. This stark reminder highlights the limitations of even the most brilliant minds, reminding us that they are still human. It cuts through the intricate plotting and cleverness of the story to emphasize the essential role of both L and Light in this narrative. Without their confrontation, the tale loses its essence. In effect, Ryuk’s intervention validates what fans have long suspected – this story thrives on their conflict.

The main issue with this rendition of the tale is that it’s mostly accessible through a musical not many people will have the chance to watch. However, you can listen to the recording of the concept album on YouTube. And if you pause the anime at episode 15, you can use your imagination to create a superior conclusion. After all, isn’t it more in line with the spirit of “Death Note” to carry out justice a bit prematurely for the greater good?

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2024-07-16 17:19