Death Note: The Musical

Death Note: The Musical is a musical based on the manga and anime of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and manga artist Takeshi Obata. The score is by Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Ivan Menchell.

Development for the musical was announced in December 2013.^[1] The musical had its world premiere on April 6, 2015 at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, with a Korean production opening the following July, running through August, at the Opera House of Seongnam Arts Center in Seoul.^[2]

Plot

Act I

Light Yagami is a genius high school student in Tokyo, Japan, who despises criminals. Light gets into an argument with one of his teachers during a lecture on law. Light questions his teacher’s beliefs on the subject, proclaiming that there is no “true” justice in the world anymore and that someone needs to bring it back. Light’s classmates rally to his side in agreement ("Where is the Justice?”)

Meanwhile, in the Realm of the Shinigami, Ryuk, a god of death, whines about how bored he has become to Rem, a female god of death. Both discuss how they view humans as pitiful before Ryuk, seeking entertainment, decides to drop a magical notebook known as the Death Note into the human world (“They’re Only Human”).

Later, Light stumbles upon the Death Note in the middle of an intersection. He picks it up and reads inside that any person who has their name written in the notebook shall die within 40 seconds, so long as the writer knows what they look like. Light, thinking it is a prank, writes down the name of a criminal that is currently holding a group of children hostage. After exactly 40 seconds, news breaks that the criminal suddenly, and unexpectedly died of a heart attack. Shocked, Light realizes that the notebook’s power is real and becomes horrified that he has killed a man. However, Light soon becomes joyful as he realizes that, with the Death Note, he has the power to rid the Earth of crime and create a perfect world, which he will rule over as a god (“Death Note”).

Soichiro Yagami, who is chief of police in Tokyo and also Light’s father, begins to notice the sudden and mysterious deaths of so many criminals in such a sort length of time. Together with his colleagues he proposes enlisting the enigmatic detective known only as L, who has solved every case ever presented to him.

While in his room writing down more names of criminals, Light suddenly discovers an unexpected houseguest, Ryuk. Ryuk introduces himself as the one who dropped the Death Note and explains that only those who have touched the Death Note can see him. He also explains the rules of the Death Note and its power in greater detail to Light. Ryuk is shocked to discover the great deal of names Light has already written in the notebook. Light reveals his plans to become the world’s savior and how joyful the people of Japan have become, labeling the killings as the work of “Kira, the Killer.” Ryuk laughs hysterically at this, declaring that the “hero” of the people is no more than a bratty teenager (“Kira!”).

Light’s little sister, Sayu, enters and invites Light to a concert featuring the famous pop star, Misa Amane. Misa dedicates the concert to her new hero, Kira (“Ready to Love”).

After the concert, Sayu asks Light if he enjoyed himself. When Light replies that he liked how Misa dedicated the concert to Kira, Sayu angrily states that she believes what Kira is doing is wrong. Light retorts that Kira is a hero, but Sayu replies that the only hero she needs is her big brother. Misa, meanwhile, muses over how much she idolizes Kira (“My Hero”).

The next day, a man appears on TV claiming to be L and promises to capture Kira. Light decides to kill the man and writes his name in the Death Note. After the man dies on camera, the real L’s voice enters revealing that the broadcast had been a trap set for Kira to reveal his location and method of killing. Light is enraged that he carelessly fell into L’s trap, but soon becomes intrigued by the notion of having a challenger worthy of his intelligence. L, in a room of computer screens, states that the game between him and Kira has now begun (“The Game Begins”).

Light wishes to kill L but is distressed that he does not know L’s real name or what he looks like. Ryuk, seeking entertainment, attempts to offer Light “Sinigami Eyes,” a power that will allow Light to see someone’s name and how long they have left to live written over their heads; in exchange, Light must give up half of his remaining years of life to Ryuk. Light rebuffs Ryuk’s deal.

Soichiro enters the room and discusses Kira with his son. Soichiro believes that Kira is a dangerous murderer who needs to be taken down, while Light argues that Kira is a hero who is bringing justice to the world (“Don’t Cross That Line”).

The police are having a difficult time trusting L, who’s unorthodox methods have them on edge. L suddenly reveals himself to the team, who are shocked that L is a very young man. L reveals that he has contacted the FBI in America and that the latter has sent over a team of investigators to aid in the capture of Kira. When Light hears of this he hacks into his father’s work files and discovers the name of one of the agents. L and Light share a moment of thought on secrets and on which of them will be the victor of this game (“Secrets and Lies”).

Light tracks down the FBI agent to a train station and tricks him into writing his name, along with the names of all of the remaining FBI agents, on a piece of paper torn from the Death Note. All of the FBI agents die (“Death Note (Reprise)”).

Soichiro’s team is now torn between their duty to capture Kira and fear of being killed. Soichiro gives each man the option to leave, prompting one member to quit the case.

Light wanders through the streets listening as the citizens praise Kira. Light delights in his victory while, elsewhere, L vows to bring Kira to justice. Suddenly, a second Death Note falls from the sky and is discovered by Misa. (“Where is the Justice? (Reprise)”).

Act II

Misa picks up the notebook and nearly faints when Rem unexpectedly appears before her. Rem explains that she has taken note of Ryuk’s meddling on Earth, and seeks to join in out of curiosity; she also reveals that Light is Kira. Misa makes the Shinigami Eye deal with Rem in order to find Light. Misa explains to Rem that she did it because, now knowing the identity of her hero, she has fallen in love with Light. Rem, however, does not fully understand the concept of “love” (“A Cruel Dream”). Soichiro’s team begins to suspect that L might, in fact, be Kira; as there is no one in Tokyo as brilliant as him. L overhears this and retorts that there is someone else who rivals him: Light Yagami. L reveals he has become suspicious of Light as he is “too perfect,” and has come to the conclusion that there is a five percent chance that Light is Kira. L plans to enter the same University as Light to keep an eye on him.

During the University Entrance Ceremony, both Light and L are called on stage to give speeches. After the speeches, L reveals his identity to Light. Light becomes paranoid, not knowing whether or not L really is who he claims to be; he also becomes frustrated that he cannot safely kill L, or else he will be revealed as Kira. The two geniuses begin plotting each others downfall. Meanwhile, Misa writes a new song she hopes will get Light’s attention (“Stalemate”).

Misa records her new song, which Light later hears on Sayu's music player; Misa sings of her undying devotion to the man who is Kira (“I’ll Only Love You More”).

News reports suddenly claim that a second Kira has appeared in Tokyo. Light, fearing the competition, becomes devastated. The citizens of Tokyo, however, celebrate, hopeful that the two Kiras’ will join forces. Meanwhile, L declares that Kira, a psychopath playing god, is more dangerous than ever now that he has recruited a follower. (“The Unshakable Truth”).

Rem, growing concerned for Misa, warns her against meeting Light. Misa eventually finds Light and the two introduce each other’s Shinigami. Misa proclaims her love and reveals that she is the second Kira. Light, only seeing her as a pawn in his plan to become a god, asks her to prove her power by killing one of L’s spies; which she gladly does. After the pair leave, Rem muses over her worry for Misa while Ryuk warns her not to get in the way of his fun (“A Cruel Dream (Reprise))”.

L informs Soichiro that he has become further convinced that Light is Kira. Soichiro refuses to believe that his son could be a serial killer (“Honor bound”).

L challenges Light to a tennis match, hoping to prove the latter is Kira. The two geniuses hope to learn more about the others’ mental state by studying how they play the game. L knows Kira hates to lose, so if Light beats L, the young detective will be sure his opponent is secretly Kira (“Playing His Game”).

Light wins the match, and is embraced by Misa. Light introduces the pop star to L, who claims to be a fan. After the meeting, Misa exclaims that she has seen L’s real name with her Shinigami eyes. Feeling that he has won, Light celebrates; however, Misa is abruptly arrested before she can reveal L’s name.

Misa is chained to a cross in her cell and interrogated by L. L forces her to admit being the second Kira and demands that she reveal the identity of the original Kira, but Misa refuses to betray the man she loves; revealing that her parents were murdered by criminals, thus explaining why she idolizes Kira (“The Value of Life”).

After L leaves, Rem enters Misa’s cell. Having grown close to the young girl, Rem decides to save Misa. Rem explains that if Misa gives up the power of the Death Note she won’t have to betray Light; however, doing so will also erase her memories of the Death Note and of Rem. Misa complies and, while heartbroken, Rem find solace in the fact that she now understands what love is (“When Love Comes”).

Rem finds Light and Ryuk and gives them L’s real name in revenge for L’s torture of Misa. She writes L’s name in her Death Note, along with specific instructions from Light, before departing Earth forever.

The stage set for the final showdown, L searches for Light, now fully convinced that he is Kira, with the intent to arrest him. L tracks Light to an abandoned warehouse and holds him at gunpoint. Light confesses to being Kira, and explains how he committed his murders, revealing the Death Note. Ryuk watches from afar. As L prepares to arrest Light the latter proclaims that he has won, as L’s name has already been written in the Death Note. As Light counts down, L raises his pistol to his own head and is compelled to commit suicide by the Death Note. Light relishes his ultimate victory, laughing maniacally. Ryuk congratulates Light for winning the game, but laments that it means no more fun is to be had. When Light becomes confused, Ryuk explains that he will now become bored with Light, as there is no one left who could challenge him, and betrays the young man by writing his name in the Death Note. Distraught, Light begs Ryuk to spare him, and wails his desire to continue killing and become a god as he dies (“Last Moments”).

Soichiro and Sayu mourn for Light, while the citizens of Tokyo bewail the loss of their hero. Misa also weeps for Kira, but does not remember that he was Light (“Requiem”).^[3][4]

Productions

Highly respected in Japan, Wildhorn was approached to write the musical back in 2013. “Until I was approached to do it, I’d never heard of ‘Death Note,’ but I was immediately intrigued,” Wildhorn tells The Japan Times while visiting the Nishi-Sugamo Arts Factory in Tokyo. “My son told me I had to do it as it would be the coolest thing I’d ever done. As I started looking through the material, I soon realized what he meant.”^[5] The musical received a New York workshop in April 2015 in anticipation of the Tokyo premiere. The New York workshop cast included Andy Kelso, Robert Cuccioli and Adrienne Warren.^[6] The musical premiered on April 6, 2015 and ran until April 29, 2015 at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, with Kenji Urai and Hayato Kakizawa sharing the role of Light, Teppei Koike as L, Kotaro Yoshida as Ryuk, Fuka Yuzuki as Misa, Megumi Hamada as Rem, Takeshi Kaga as Soichiro, and Ami Maeshima as Sayu.^[7] A Korean production ran in Seoul from July 11, 2015 to August 11, 2015. The Korean production sported an entirely new cast, and featured Hong Kwang-ho as Light and Kim Junsu as L. An English concept album was recorded before the show's Japanese premiere and featured Jeremy Jordan as Light, Jarrod Spector as L, Eric Anderson as Ryuk, Carrie Manolakos as Rem, and Adrienne Warren as Misa. Despite the show originally being written in English, no English-language production of the show has been announced.^[8]

Songs

Casts

Critical response

The musical was one of the most highly anticipated musicals of the year in Japan and Korea. The Korean production received positive to mixed reviews from critics. Hong Kwang-ho and Kim Junsu were universally praised for their "powerhouse voices," and "brilliant, subtle acting;" while Park Hye-na and Kang Hong-suk, as the Shinigami Ryuk and Rem, were praised for "practically stealing the show." Wildhorn's score was praised, while the story was criticized for trying to cram 12 volumes of the manga into a two-and-a-half hour musical. The staging was criticized for being very simplistic and lacking in visual spectacle.^[11]

Sources

External Links

• "Death Note: The Musical - NY Concept Album"