• Conspiracy Entertainment

Beginning: Yagami Light is a 17-year-old genius from Japan who is tired of his life, school, and the state of the world as he knows it. One day, on the way home from class, Light stumbles upon a dark notebook with 'Death Note' written on the front. Intrigued by its appearance, Light reads the first few sentences, only to find out that it states that anyone whose name is written inside will die. Discarding it as a joke, Light continues his daily activities.

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Soon after though, his human curiosity takes the better of him and prompts Light to try the notebook, discovering the truth behind first sentence. Now, with power in his hands, Yagami Light is on a quest to change the world and become God of the New World. His path to holy status won't be easy however, as another genius, known as L, is working against Light's beliefs and Light himself.

Who will win this power of Gods between humans? Death Note Rewrite: The Visualizing God (OVA). A special two hour episode of Death Note, mainly a compilation of the confrontations between Light and L, re-edited from Ryuk's perspective with new dialogue and soundtrack along with additional animation that could not be included in the original series. A shinigami comes to Ryuk to question him about his new story in the human world.

Death Note: Rewrite 2: L's Successors (Movie). Recounting the final half of the supernatural suspense story, including the investigators Near and Mello's confrontations with the vigilante Kira.

For those who have not seen the first special (Death Note Rewrite: Genshi Suru Kami) last August or the television series, the genius detective character L and his assistant Watari will provide exposition of the story leading up the second special. Type: Action, drama, horror, mystery, psychological, supernatural, shounen. Latest release: Death Note: Rewrite 2: L's Successors Movies (23rd July 2009). Finished airing.

To watch new episodes online. Death Note ( デスノート Desu Nōto) is a Japanese manga series created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and manga artist Takeshi Obata. The main character is Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook, the 'Death Note', dropped on Earth by a shinigami (a god of death) named Ryuk. The Death Note grants its user the ability to kill anyone whose name and face they know, by writing the name in the notebook while picturing their face. The series centers around Light's attempt to create and rule a world 'cleansed of evil' as 'God' using the notebook, and the efforts of a detective known as L to stop him. Death Note was first serialized in 108 chapters by Shueisha in the Japanese manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 2003 to May 2006. The series was also published in tankōbon format in Japan starting in May 2004 and ending in October 2006 with a total of twelve volumes.

The anime series aired in Japan from October 3, 2006, to June 26, 2007. Composed of 37 episodes, the anime was developed by Madhouse and directed by Tetsuro Araki. A light novel based on the series, written by Nisio Isin, was released in Japan. Additionally, various video games have been published by Konami for Nintendo DS.

The series was adapted into live-action films released in Japan on June 17, 2006, November 3, 2006, and February 2, 2008. Viz Media licensed the Death Note manga in North America and has published all the twelve volumes from the series, a 13th volume which serves as a 'reader's guide', as well as the light novels. The episodes from the anime first appeared in North America as downloadable by IGN. Viz later licensed the anime series and it aired on Bionix. The live-action films briefly played in certain North American theaters since 2008. However, none of the video games have thus far been published in North America or Europe. To date, it is the twenty second best selling manga series of all time from Shōnen Jump at total sales of 26.5 million copies.

Plot Summary: Light Yagami is an intelligent young adult who resents all things evil. He also wishes to end crime in the world and create a utopia in which he reigns supreme. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers the Death Note, a notebook that contains five written instructions. The human whose name is written in this notebook shall die. This notebook will not take effect unless the writer has the subject's face in their mind when writing his/her name. Therefore, people sharing the same name will not be affected.

If the cause of death is written within 40 seconds of writing the person's name, it will happen. If the cause of death is not specified, the person will simply die of a heart attack. After writing the cause of death, the details of the death should be written in the next 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

There are other rules that are revealed as the story develops, usually in the form of chapter title pages. After several experiments with the Death Note, Light realizes the notebook's authenticity and encounters the previous owner, a shinigami called Ryuk.

Light explains to Ryuk his plan of exterminating all the criminals in the world, until there are only people who he has judged to be honest and kind. Once he finishes this, he will begin his reign as the god of this new world. Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of criminals catches the attention of the International Police Organization and the world-famous detective, 'L'. L quickly learns that the serial killer, publicly known as 'Kira' ( キラ), derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the word 'killer'), is located in Japan and can kill people without laying a finger on them.

Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and begins a cat and mouse game with L. Light attempts to create an alibi by helping L and his investigate team track down Kira.

His plan is impeded by a second Kira, famous model Misa Amane, and her shinigami Rem. Misa and Light meet and work together, and become increasingly suspected by L.

To save themselves from execution, Misa and Light temporarily relinquish control of their Death Notes—erasing their memories of the shinigami and the notebooks—and are placed under constant surveillance by L. During their detention, a third Kira under the employ of the Yotsuba Group appears. Light and Misa are freed when it becomes apparent that they are not responsible for the murders of Yotsuba's rivals. The investigative team infiltrate Yotsuba and discover the third Kira is Yotsuba member Kyosuke Higuchi and attempt to capture him. Upon Higuchi's capture, Light regains ownership of the Death Note 'just as he planned' and kills Higuchi, while the investigative team learn of the Death Notes and shinigami. Light completes his complex plan by manipulating Rem into killing both L and herself.

Light becomes the 'new L' upon L's death, and continues a charade of searching for Kira. The narrative continues four years later, with Kira attracting a large network of contacts and a swell of public support. Two children, Near and Mello, raised by L's former guardian Watari to follow L's legacy, serve as antagonists to Light: Near as an independent detective; and Mello as a member of the Mafia. Mello's first action to oppose Kira is to kidnap the director of Japan's National Police Agency, and after his murder, Light's sister Sayu, to use as a bargaining chip to obtain the Death Note. Light's task force recapture Sayu and learn Mello's real name after Light's father Soichiro trades half of his remaining life to Ryuk for the ability to discover anyone's names, but Soichiro later dies of gunshot wounds.

Concurrently, Near and several members of the task force begin to suspect Light of being Kira. In response, Light persuades Misa to give up her Death Note and raises another 'Kira', Teru Mikami, a prosecutor and fervent supporter of Kira. Mikami kills Kira's former spokesman for being greedy and recruits Kiyomi Takada, a newscaster and Light's former girlfriend, to replace him. Mello returns and kidnaps Kiyomi, who manages to kill Mello with a hidden Death Note piece. Light then makes Kiyomi commit suicide to prevent her from implicating him, but Mikami, unaware of Light's actions, attempts to kill her with his own Death Note.

Near reveals that he replaced Mikami's notebook with a fake, and by the names written in it is able to prove Light is Kira. In desperation, Light tries to use the last Death Note piece in his watch to kill the rest of the task force, but Matsuda shoots him several times. Realizing Light has lost, Ryuk uses his Death Note to kill Light with a heart attack, which was a part of their original agreement. Pilot Chapter: The Death Note process began when Ohba brought thumbnails for two concept ideas to Shueisha; Ohba said that the Death Note pilot, one of the concepts, was 'received well' by editors and attained positive reactions by readers. Ohba described keeping the story of the pilot to one chapter as 'very difficult' and he said that he remembered it took over a month to begin writing the chapter. He added that the story had to revive the killed characters with the Death Eraser and that he 'didn't really care' for that plot device. Obata said that he wanted to draw the story after he heard of a 'horror story featuring Shinigami.'

According to Obata, when he first received the rough draft created by Ohba, he 'didn't really get it' at first and he wanted to work on the project due to the presence of Shinigami and because the work 'was dark.' He also said he wondered about the progression of the plot as he read the thumbnails, and if Jump readers would enjoy reading the comic. Obata said that while there is little action and the main character 'doesn't really drive the plot' he enjoyed the atmosphere of the story. He stated that he drew the pilot chapter so that it would appeal to himself. Ohba brought the rough draft of the pilot chapter to the editorial department. Obata came into the picture at a later point to create the artwork. They did not meet in person while creating the pilot chapter.

Ohba said that the editor told him he did not need to meet with Obata to discuss the pilot; Ohba said 'I think it worked out all right.' Death Note Rewrite. Genshisuru Kami (Visions of a God) A two hour episode of Death Note, mainly a compilation of the confrontations between Light and L, re-edited from Ryuk's perspective with new dialogue and soundtrack along with additional animation that could not be included in the original series. An Unnamed Shinigami comes to Ryuk to question him about his new story in the human world. Eru o Tsugu Mono (L's Successors) This story continues where the previous left off, continuing the story of Light. As the previous special told Light and L's battles, this story does the same with the conflicts between Light, Mello, and Near. Anime Adaptation.

Tetsuro Araki, the director, said that he wished to convey aspects that 'made the series interesting' instead of simply 'focusing on morals or the concept of justice.' Toshiki Inoue, the series organizer, agreed with Araki and added that, in anime adaptations, there is a lot of importance in highlighting the aspects that are 'interesting in the original.' He concluded that Light's presence was 'the most compelling' aspect; therefore the adaptation chronicles Light's 'thoughts and actions as much as possible.'

Inoue noted that, to best incorporate the manga's plot into the anime, he 'tweaked the chronology a bit' and incorporated flashbacks that appear after the openings of the episodes; he said this revealed the desired tensions. Araki said that, because in an anime the viewer cannot 'turn back pages' in the manner that a manga reader can, the anime staff ensured that the show clarified details. Inoue added that the staff did not want to get involved with every single detail, so the staff selected elements to emphasize. Due to the complexity of the original manga, he described the process as 'definitely delicate and a great challenge.' Inoue admitted that he placed more instructions and notes in the script than usual.

Araki added that because of the importance of otherwise trivial details, the notes became crucial to the development of the series. Araki said that when he discovered the Death Note anime project he 'literally begged' to join the production team; when he joined he insisted that Inoue should write the scripts. Inoue added that, because he enjoyed reading the manga, he wished to use his effort. When creating the plot of the final chapter, Ohba first thought of the idea of Kira worshipers surrounding Kira's grave; Ohba reasoned that a group of Kira worshipers would exist even if Kira died. Ohba believed that having Light's death be definitively known to the world would 'cause problems,' and he also recalls discussing how 'distasteful' it would be for the readers to see the Yagami family grave. As Ohba and his editor decided on how to end the series in late 2005, Ohba and his editor developed the concept of the line of Kira worshipers.

Ohba said that he made Aizawa the chief of the NPA because he did not want to create a new character for the role, and he decided that Aizawa would be the best choice among the surviving task force members. Ohba added that Aizawa was the best choice since he had connections to the NPA and Near and that Aizawa becoming the chief would have been 'unimaginable' earlier in Death Note.

Ohba explained that Mogi would have been too biased to Near. In regards to Matsuda's theories, Ohba said that he did not decide whether they are right or wrong; he asked readers to decide for themselves whether Matsuda's theories were correct. The only definitive statement Ohba made about the theories is that Light ordered Mikami to not take the Death Note out until the end. Ohba explained that Yamamoto, a character who Matsuda teases, was added at the thumbnail stage and has no significance; Ohba added him to show Matsuda 'bossing someone around.' (While there may not be significance in his use, Yamamoto was first seen in volume 1 chapter 2 as Light's best friend. He was seen again in volume 2, when Light suggests he send him a New Years card, but he didn't appear until this chapter). Regarding the Kira worshipers, Ohba said that he would have been fine having Light simply die 'in his pathetic state,' but Ohba decided to 'redeem' Light somewhat by illustrating that, despite the fact that Light is dead, he becomes a god for a group of people.

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Ohba explained that in Death Note Light wants to become a living god and therefore he would not be happy with dying; he added 'So there's a little irony in there too.' Ohba explained that the fact that the scene goes back and forth with the part shows how he loved Light as a character, even though L was Ohba's favorite. Obata recalled hearing from the editor that a scene in the final chapter will feature Kira worshipers surrounding Light's grave. Obata originally believed that the concept was 'a little lacking,' but when he saw the thumbnails he believed they looked good, and he felt excited when he drew the art for the chapter. Obata said that he wanted to 'set the mood' for the scene, so he had the Kira worshipers wear hoods. Light's name could have some reference here, as they are worshipping god at night under the light of the moon. Obata selected the apple to use as the object for the cover page of 'Finis,' as the apple was used as an important symbol in Death Note and Obata believed that featuring the apple was 'the only way to go.'

The final set of chapter covers feature close-ups of objects, and so the cover page of 'Finis' focused on the apple, with the last rule of Death Note being 'Once dead, they can never come back to life.' English airdate 1 'Director's Cut Complete Conclusion Rewrite: The Visualizing God' 'Direkutāzu Katto Kanzen Ketchaku Riraito Genshisuru Kami' (ディレクターズカット完全決着版 〜リライト幻視する神〜) August 31, 2007 June 23, 2009 (On DVD) A nameless shinigami, interested in visiting the human world, visits Ryuk sometime after Kira case has concluded.

Receiving an apple from the former, Ryuk agrees to tell Light's story, but stops at Light's victory over L. The OVA concludes with the shinigami leaving and setting his sights on the human realm. 2 'Director's Cut: Rewrite 2: L's Successors' 'Direkutāzu Katto Riraito 2 Eru o Tsugu Mono' (ディレクターズカット 〜リライト2 Lを継ぐ者〜) August 22, 2008 October 27, 2009 (On DVD) The OVA summarizes the 'Mello and Near' arc of the anime by omitting most of Mello's involvement in the Kira case. Unlike its predecessor, the OVA merely uses a condensed version of the final episode as its ending, followed by an added scene of Ryuk leaving the human realm. There is also an added scene of Aizawa and Matsuda finding Light's body.

Soundtracks: Several soundtracks for the series have been released. The music from the anime was composed by Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi, while the CDs were also published by VAP. The first one was Death Note Original Soundtrack, which was released in Japan on December 21, 2006.

It contains music from the series with the first opening and ending themes sung by the Japanese band Nightmare in the TV size format. Death Note Original Soundtrack II was first released in Japan on March 21, 2007. It features the new opening and closing themes by Maximum the Hormone in the TV size format. The third CD, Death Note Original Soundtrack III was released on June 27, 2007. The tracks 1-21 were composed and arranged by Taniuchi, while the tracks 22-28 were composed and arranged by Hirano. The album features one track sung by Aya Hirano, who was also the Japanese voice actress of Misa Amane in the anime series. Also appearing on this soundtrack is the ending theme Coda〜Death Note, which can be heard at the end of the final episode of the anime as the credits are shown.

Several soundtracks have also been released for the live action films. Sound of Death Note is a soundtrack featuring music from the first Death Note film composed and arranged by Kenji Kawai. It was released on June 17, 2006 by VAP. Sound of Death Note the Last name is the soundtrack from the second Death Note film, Death Note the Last name.

It was released on November 2, 2006. Death Note Tribute is a tribute album dedicated to the live action movie for the Death Note film. Published by BMG Japan on June 21, 2006 Japan, it contains 15 tracks performed by various artists, such as Shikao Suga, M-Flo, Buck-Tick and Aya Matsuura. The soundtrack came with a cosplay Death Note notebook.

Another tribute album is The Songs for Death Note the movie〜the Last name Tribute dedicated to the second film. Published by Sony Music Entertainment Japan on December 20, 2006, it contains 14 tracks performed by various artist, such as Orange Range, abingdon boys school, High and Mighty Color, Doping Panda and Galneryus. Opening Theme #1: 'the WORLD' by Nightmare (eps 1-19) #2: 'What's up, people?!' By Maximum the Hormone (eps 20-37) Ending Theme #1: 'Alumina' by Nightmare (eps 1-19) #2: 'Zetsubo Billy' by Maximum the Hormone (eps 20-36) #3: 'Coda Death Note' by Yoshihisa Hirano (ep 37) Light novels: A light novel adaptation of the series has been written by Nisio Isin, called Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases. The novel was released by Shueisha on August 1, 2006. It serves as a prequel to the manga series, with Mello narrating the story of L's first encounter with Naomi Misora during the Los Angeles 'BB Serial Murder Case' mentioned in volume 2 of the manga.

Beside Naomi's character, the novel focuses on how L works and one of the criminals L has to chase down. Insight was given into Watari's orphanage and how the whole system of geniuses such as L, Mello, Beyond Birthday, Matt and Near were put to work.

Viz released the novel in English on February 19, 2008. The film L: Change the World was also adapted into a light novel with the same name on December 25, 2007 by 'M', While the novel is similar to the movie, there are many significant changes to the plot (for example, Near is not a Thai boy, but the same Near that appears in the manga). It also reveals more information about L and his past. Viz released it on October 20, 2009.

Video Games: A Death Note video game developed and published by Konami for the Nintendo DS, titled Death Note Kira Game ( デスノート キラゲーム Desu Nōto Kira Gēmu), was released on February 15, 2007. Kira Game is a strategy game where the player takes on the role of Kira or L. These are just titles, as any character can be Kira or L. The player will attempt to deduce who their enemy is (Kira will try to uncover L's identity and vice versa). This will play out in 3 phases: Investigation, where the player will discuss the case and clues with other characters; Voting, where each member of the investigation team casts a vote on who they suspect is L or Kira based on the player's performance in the previous phase; L/Kira, where the player can either focus their investigation on one member to see if they are Kira (L part) or force a member off of the team (Kira part).

A sequel to the game, Death Note L o Tsugumono ( デスノート Lを継ぐ者 Desu Nōto Eru o Tsugu Mono, literally 'Death Note: Successors to L'), was released in Japan on July 12, 2007. The storyline is based on the second part of the manga, featuring characters such as Mello and Near. A third game, L the Prologue to Death Note -Rasen no Trap- ( L the proLogue to DEATH NOTE -螺旋の罠- L the proLogue to DEATH NOTE -Rasen no Torappu-, literally 'L the Prologue to Death Note: Spiraling Trap'), was released for the Nintendo DS in Japan on February 7, 2008. The player assumes the role of a rookie FBI agent who awakens in a strange hotel and attempts to escape with the help of L, who provides assistance via an in-game PDA.

The story is set before the Kira investigation in the original series. Several characters from Death Note appear in Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars, a fighting game featuring a plethora of characters from Shōnen Jump titles. Light, Ryuk and L appear in Jump Super Stars as support characters. In Jump Ultimate Stars Misa, Near, and Mello are added as support characters as well. Live-action Films. The second movie, Death Note: The Last Name, premiered on November 3, 2006, and instantly topped the Japanese box office, remaining at number one for four straight weeks, and grossed 5.5 billion yen in Japan by the end of the year, making it one of the year's highest grossing Japanese films.

The sequel was released in Hong Kong on November 3, 2006, in Taiwan on November 24, 2006, in Singapore on December 28, 2006, and in Malaysia on January 25, 2007, with English and Chinese subtitles. Christy Lee S.W. Of The Star, in her review of the second film, stated that Kaneko 'did a good job' in pacing the film, adding that the increased pacing towards the end made some of the content difficult to understand. She also said that screenwriter Tetsuya Oishi made sure the characters were 'well fleshed out' and easily empathized with. The movie starts with Misa, a TV presenter, getting a 2nd Death Note. Later Misa, using her Shinigami eyes, kills Mogi and two policemen.

Sayu was also almost killed until her father Soichiro crashed into the festival wearing a motorcycle helmet. Light kills Takada to regain ownership of his Death Note. Afterwards Light tricks Rem into killing L and Watari. After they both die, Rem dies for intentionally killing someone to help Misa. Misa then gives up her ownership of the notebook and loses her memory of it.Later it is revealed that L did not die and avoided death by writing his name in the notebook stating, 'L Lawliet will die 23 days from this date'. After proving that Light is Kira, Light pleads with Ryuk to kill L and the task force. Ryuk then agrees but writes Light's name in the Death Note, telling Light that anyone who uses the death note is banned from heaven and hell and will instead spend eternity as nothingness.

Light dies in his father's arms begging him to believe he acted as Kira to carry out justice, which Soichiro had taught him since his childhood, into practice.Later Soichiro goes home and lies to his wife and daughter, saying that Light was killed by Kira. It ends 23 days later, with L dying peacefully.

Character Actor (Original) English Dubbing Light Yagami Tatsuya Fujiwara Brad Swaile L Kenichi Matsuyama Alessandro Juliani Misa Amane Erika Toda Shannon Chan-Kent Naomi Misora Asaka Seto Nicole Oliver Ryuk (Voice) Shidou Nakamura Brian Drummond Rem (Voice) Shinnosuke Ikehata Michael Dobson Raye Iwamatsu Shigeki Hosokawa Michael Adamthwaite Watari Shunji Fujimura Ron Halder Soichiro Yagami Takeshi Kaga Christopher Britton Shiori Akino Yuu Kashii Ashleigh Ball Sayu Yagami Hikari Mitsushima Kristie Marsden Kanzo Mogi Shin Shimizu John Murphy Lind L. Death Note. 'Manatsu no Yoru no Yume' by Shikao Suga. 'Dani California' by Red Hot Chili Peppers (Closing) Death Note: The Last Name. 'Dani California' by Red Hot Chili Peppers. 'Snow, Hey Oh' by Red Hot Chili Peppers (Closing) L: Change the World. 'I'll Be Waiting' by Lenny Kravitz Release The first film, simply titled as Death Note, premiered in Japan on June 17, 2006 and topped the Japanese box office for two weeks, pushing The Da Vinci Code into second place.

Death Note (死亡筆記) was released in Hong Kong on August 10, 2006, in Taiwan on September 8, 2006, in Singapore on October 19, 2006, and in Malaysia on November 9, 2006 with English and Chinese subtitles. The world premiere was in the UA Langham Place cinema in Hong Kong on October 28, 2006, the first Japanese movie to premiere in Hong Kong. The film ended up earning US$41 million in Japan, $1.9 million in Hong Kong. The film was released in the UK on April 25, 2008. Death Note: The Last NameThe second movie, Death Note: The Last Name, premiered on November 3, 2006, and instantly topped the Japanese box office, remaining at number one for four straight weeks, and grossed 5.5 billion yen in Japan by the end of the year, making it one of the year's highest grossing Japanese films.

The sequel was released in Hong Kong on November 3, 2006, in Taiwan on November 24, 2006, in Singapore on December 28, 2006, and in Malaysia on January 25, 2007, with English and Chinese subtitles. Christy Lee S.W. Of The Star, in her review of the second film, stated that Kaneko 'did a good job' in pacing the film, adding that the increased pacing towards the end made some of the content difficult to understand.

She also said that screenwriter Tetsuya Oishi made sure the characters were 'well fleshed out' and easily empathized with. North American release The first movie briefly played in certain North American theaters on May 20–21, 2008 The theatrical version featured actors from the English dub of the anime voicing over their respective characters (with a few notable recasts, and the exception of John Murphy (Lind L.

Tailor's English dub actor) due to Lind L. Tailor already being played by American actor Matt Lagan - in the dub, Tailor's voice is instead dubbed by Ted Cole). The film was broadcast in Canadian theaters for one night only on September 15, 2008. The DVD was released on September 16, 2008, one day after the Canadian showing.

Death Note: The Last Name was given similar treatment. The film was dubbed into English and released in American theaters for two nights only, October 15 and 16.

The film was released in Canada on December 3, the DVD was released on February 10, 2009. L: Change the World was released in the United States on April 29–30 of 2009.

UK release Death Note, Death Note: The Last Name, and L: Change the World were all licensed for UK release by 4Digital Asia, a sublabel of 4Digital Media, formerly Ilc Entertainment. The first title was the inaugural release in this new sublabel, launched in 2008 to fill the gap in the UK for 'Asia Extreme' titles created by the demise of Tartan.

All have received limited theatrical screenings at arthouse venues around the UK, such as the ICA Cinema in central London. All three have received DVD releases in limited editions, featuring two discs in hardback-book-like packaging, mimicking the item of the title. Regular single-disc editions are replacing the limited ones for long-term release. A dedicated website focused on the franchise was also created for public use.

Both films were also broadcast on Film4. Remake In 2007, the Malaysian paper The Star stated that more than ten film companies in the United States had expressed interest in the Death Note franchise. The American production company Vertigo Entertainment was originally set to develop the remake, with Charley and Vlas Parlapanides as screenwriters and Roy Lee, Doug Davison, Dan Lin, and Brian Witten as producers. On April 30, 2009, Variety reported that Warner Bros., the distributors for the original Japanese live-action films, had acquired the American rights for the remake, with the original screenwriters and producers still attached.

On January 13, 2011, it was announced that Shane Black has been hired to direct the film, with the script being written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry. There have also been rumours that Zac Efron has been cast to play Light Yagami, though this has not been confirmed. Legacy: Banning by People's Republic of China Early in 2005, school officials in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province (People's Republic of China), banned Death Note. The immediate cause was that students had been altering notebooks to resemble Death Notes and then writing the names of acquaintances, enemies, and teachers in the books.

The ban was designed to protect the 'physical and mental health' of students from horror material that 'misleads innocent children and distorts their mind and spirit.' Jonathan Clements has suggested that the Chinese authorities acted partly against 'superstition' but also against illegal, pirate publishers of Death Note.

The ban has been extended to other Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Lanzhou in Gansu Province. Legally published Chinese language versions of Death Note are published in Hong Kong and in Taiwan. Copycat crimes and imitations There have been various copycat crimes around the world which were based on Death Note.

On September 28, 2007, two notes written with Latin characters stating 'Watashi wa Kira dess', sic or 'I am Kira' ( 私はキラです watashi wa Kira desu) were found near the remains of a Caucasian male in Belgium. The case has been called the 'Mangamoord' (Dutch for Manga Murder) in Belgian media. The two killers have been found and brought to justice.

A senior at the Franklin Military Academy in Richmond, Virginia, United States was suspended after being caught possessing a replica 'Death Note' notebook with the names of fellow students. In South Carolina, U.S. In 2008, school officials seized a 'Death Note' notebook from a Hartsville Middle School student. District officials linked the notebook to the anime/manga. The notebook listed seven students' names. The school planned a disciplinary hearing and contacted the seven students' parents. In Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.

Two sixth grade boys were arrested for possessions of 'Death Notes' that listed names of several staff members and fellow students. According to Etowah County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Lanny Handy, the notebook was found the previous afternoon by a staffer. The students were suspended from the county's schools. The students, their parents, and school officials had met with Handy and a junior probation officer.

In Gig Harbor, Washington, U.S. One middle school student was expelled and three were suspended on May 14, 2008 for having their own 'Death Note' books. In Illinois, U.S. A middle school student was suspended for two days around May 2012 after being caught carrying a mini version of the 'Death Note' book with fellow students' names inside.

The student claimed it was a joke and the people whose names were written agreed to that claim. Production: The Death Note concept derived from a rather general concept involving Shinigami and 'specific rules.'

Tsugumi Ohba wanted to create a suspense series because he did not feel that he could have created a fight-style series and that the genre had few suspense series. After publication of the pilot chapter the series was not expected to be approved as a serialized comic by the author who did not consider it to 'fit with Jump.' Ohba said that when he learned that Death Note received approval and that Takeshi Obata would create the artwork he 'couldn't even believe it.' Due to positive reactions, Death Note became a serialized manga series.

'Thumbnails' were created incorporating dialog, panel layout, and basic drawings, and were sent to the illustrator. The editor reviewed the thumbnails and sent them to the illustrator (Obata) with the script set in stone and the panel layout 'mostly done.' Obata then determined the expressions and 'camera angles' and created the final artwork. Ohba concentrated on the tempo and the amount of dialogue, making sure that the text was as concise as possible. Ohba commented that he believed 'reading too much exposition' would be tiring and would negatively affect the atmosphere and 'air of suspense.' Significant artistic license was given to the illustrator who worked on basic descriptions, such as 'abandoned building', and this extended to the design of the Death Notes with Obata possessing free rein.

Obata originally thought of the books as 'Bible-like'.something you would automatically think was a Death Note.' He also felt this design would seem 'difficult to use' and instead opted for an easy-to-use college notebook. At a later point the concept of Death Notes looking different from one another, depending on the human era (such as Death Notes in ancient Japan looking like scrolls and Death Notes in medieval Europe looking like The Old Testament) was conceived. When Ohba decided on the plot he internally visualized the panels while being on his bed, drinking tea, or walking around his house, needing to feel relaxed while visualizing the panels. On many occasions the original draft was too long and needed to be refined various times before the desired 'tempo' and 'flow' for the chapter was finalised. The writer remarked on his preference for reading the previous 'two or four' chapters carefully to ensure consistency in the story. The typical weekly production schedule consisted of five days for creating and thinking and one day using pencil to insert dialogue into rough drafts; after this point the writer faxed any initial drafts to the editor.

The illustrator's weekly production schedule involved one day with the thumbnails, layout, and pencils and one day with additional penciling and inking. Obata's assistants usually worked for four days and Obata spent one day to finish it. Obata said that sometimes he took a few extra days to color pages and that this 'messed with the schedule.' In contrast, the writer took three or four days to create a chapter on some occasions, while on others he took a month. Obata said that his schedule remained consistent except when he had to create color pages. Ohba and Obata rarely met in person during the creation of the serialized manga; instead the two met with the editor.

The first time they met in person was at an editorial party in January 2004. Obata said that, despite the intrigue, he did not ask his editor about Ohba's plot developments as he anticipated the new thumbnails every week. The two did not discuss the final chapters with one another and they continued to talk with the editor. Ohba said that when he asked the editor if Obata had 'said anything' about the story and plot the editor responded 'No, nothing', laughingly.' Ohba claims that the series ended more or less in the manner that he intended for it to end; he considered the idea of L defeating Light Yagami with Light dying but instead chose to use the 'Yellow Box warehouse' ending. According to Ohba the details had been set 'from the beginning.' The writer wanted an ongoing plot line instead of an episodic series because Death Note was serialized and its focus was intended to be on a cast with a series of events triggered by the Death Note.

13: How to Read states that the humorous aspects of Death Note originated from Ohba's 'enjoyment of humorous stories.' Ohba said that a theme that he wished to express throughout the series was that, 'no human has the right to pass judgement on another's actions. No one should play god.' He said that he intended Death Note to push an ideology about good and evil, and that Near's statement in Volume 12 about deciding right and wrong came about from his own personal belief. When the writer was asked, during an interview, whether the series was meant to be about enjoying the plot twists and psychological warfare, Ohba responded by saying that this concept was the reason why he was 'very happy' to place the story in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Ohba was also asked what he considered the most important thing in Death Note, and he responded by saying, 'the human whose name is written in this note shall die'; in contrast, Obata responded to the same question by answering 'impossible to say.' MADHOUSE Inc.

( 株式会社 マッドハウス Kabushiki-gaisha Maddohausu) is a Japanese animation studio, founded in 1972 by ex–Mushi Pro animators, including Masao Maruyama, Osamu Dezaki, Rintaro, and Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Madhouse has created and helped to produce many well known shows, starting with TV anime series Ace o Nerae! In 1973, and including western favourites Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Trigun, Di Gi Charat and Death Note. Unlike other studios founded at this time such as AIC and J.C.Staff, their strength was and is primarily in TV shows and theatrical features. Expanding from the initial Mushi Pro staff, Madhouse recruited such important directors as Morio Asaka, Masayuki Kojima, and Satoshi Kon during the 1990s.

Their staff roster expanded in the 2000s to include Mamoru Hosoda, Takeshi Koike, and Mitsuo Iso, as well as many younger television directors. The studio was also responsible for the first Beyblade anime series as well as the Dragon Drive anime. The studio often collaborates with known manga artists, including Naoki Urasawa and Clamp. Madhouse produced adaptations of Urasawa's Yawara!, Master Keaton and Monster, with Masayuki Kojima helming the later two. The company has animated a number of CLAMP's titles, including Tokyo Babylon, two versions of X, Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, CLAMP in Wonderland, and most recently the second Hunter x Hunter anime.

In January 2012, Madhouse announced their acquisition of the animation rights to the Peanuts comic strip. Madhouse's early theatrical work included assistance on the Barefoot Gen films, and Lensman, an anime movie based on the space opera series by pulp science fiction legend E.E.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, director Yoshiaki Kawajiri produced a string of action films including Demon City Shinjuku, Wicked City, and Ninja Scroll. In the late 1990s, the studio aimed at a younger female audience with Morio Asaka's two Cardcaptor Sakura films, based on the popular television series. In the early 2000s, an ambitious collaboration with Tezuka Productions resulted in Metropolis, directed by Rintaro and adapted from the manga by Osamu Tezuka. Earlier collaborations with Tezuka productions included two feature-length films made for Sanrio starring Tezuka's unicorn character Unico. Director Satoshi Kon produced all four of his films with the studio: Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and Paprika, as well as his TV series Paranoia Agent. Kon was also making his fifth film the Dreaming Machine with Madhouse, although it was left incomplete at his death in 2010.

In 2003, Madhouse produced Nasu: Summer in Andalusia, which was adapted from the seinen manga Nasu by Iou Kuroda and directed by Studio Ghibli veteran Kitarō Kōsaka. Nasu was the first Japanese animated film ever selected for screening at the renowned Cannes Film Festival. Kōsaka followed up his film with an OVA sequel in 2007.

In 2006, director Mamoru Hosoda began his career with the studio by directing The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Recent productions included Masayuki Kojima's theatrical debut Piano no Mori (2007), Hosoda's acclaimed Summer Wars (2009), Sunao Katabuchi's Mai Mai Miracle (2009), the company's first CG animated film, Yona Yona Penguin (2009), Takeshi Koike's feature film debut Redline (2009), a theatrical version of the Trigun series, Trigun: Badlands Rumble (2010), and The Tibetan Dog, a co-production with China (2011).

The first film in the Hunter × Hunter franchise, Hunter × Hunter: Phantom Rouge premiered January 12, 2013. Collectively, Madhouse films have won a total of two Japan Academy Prizes, three Grand Prizes in Animation Division at Japan Media Arts Festival, two Gertie Awards, six Mainichi Film Awards (three Ōfuji Noburō Awards, and three Animation Grand Awards), two Tokyo Anime Awards for Animation of the Year, and five Animation Kobe Feature Film Awards. Madhouse's Wolf Children animated film will screen at the Newport Beach Film Festival in Newport Beach, CA, on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Here is the list of Anime produced by Madhouse. A-Girl. Ace o Nerae!.

Akagi. Allison & Lillia.

The Ambition of Oda Nobuna. The Animatrix (Program and World Record).

Anne no Nikki. Aoi Bungaku. Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution. Arata-naru SekaiAzuki-chan. Barefoot Gen. Batman: Gotham Knight (In Darkness Dwells and Deadshot). Battle Angel.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad. Beyblade. Bio Hunter.

Birdy the Mighty. Black Lagoon. Bobby's In Deep!. Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden. Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden Victory. Boogiepop Phantom. Btooom!