First came the manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump about a boy who finds a notebook capable of killing simply by having the specific person in mind while writing his name in it. The story contains a fair amount of complicated exposition and character development, very uncharacteristic of a mainstream shonen manga. Even with that, Death Note went on to become a sleeper hit. Perhaps it was the intriguing story line and impressive artwork that propelled Death Note to fame beyond typical Shonen Jump readers. Despite its continued success however, Death Note ended in 2006 with a total of 12 volumes and a special edition that breaks down the story and characters in minute detail. Like many manga before it, its popularity naturally spawned a live-action movie.
Hollywood giant, Warner Brothers, was responsible for the films' production and distribution in Japan. It was released in two parts and took certain departures from the manga. In particular, each half had its own original ending as well as the introduction of characters not included in the manga's storyline. The films went on to achieve commercial success in Japan and were enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike. The DVDs for the films, Death Note and Death Note: The Last Name, will be available on March 14, 2007. They can be purchased on amazon.co.jp for 2,678 yen each.
The Death Note craze didn't end there: merchandising, related novels, and as with all well received manga, an anime adaptation. The anime follows fairly closely to the manga's original storyline and airs in Tokyo on NTV every Tuesday at 12:56 am. The show is currently on episode 19.
(Late night anime in Japan is as common as talk shows on late night American TV. What does this say about cultural differences and audiences?)
The anime DVDs have been released monthly since December of 2006. A soundtrack is also available. Click for DVD/CD details from the official NTV Death Note page.
Of course, what would all of this anime/manga/movie love be without a video game tie-in?
(Late night anime in Japan is as common as talk shows on late night American TV. What does this say about cultural differences and audiences?)
The anime DVDs have been released monthly since December of 2006. A soundtrack is also available. Click for DVD/CD details from the official NTV Death Note page.
Of course, what would all of this anime/manga/movie love be without a video game tie-in?
On February 15th, the Death Note: Kira Game, was released for the DS: the next logical step in the Death Note marketing campaign. In Kira game, the player takes up the role of either Light or L (Ryuzaki) in what Konami is calling a "communication mystery." Your character's goal is simple: Discover your opponent's identity and administer justice. You can do this by speaking with other NPCs, and how you interact with them will determine certain outcomes. Click on the link below to access the official website and game videos.
1 comment:
I remember picking up this manga on a whim, just because I wanted something new to read. The artwork was interesting and the blurb on the back piqued my curiosity. Aren't you glad I recommended it to you way back when ? Ah, life seemed so simple back then.
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