“Death Note the Musical” returns to Tokyo for 10th anniversary performances
Frank Wildhorn’s “Death Note the Musical” is set to make a triumphant return to Tokyo this November at the Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall, commemorating its 10th anniversary.
The official X account for the production announced the revival on Friday, alongside the reveal of the musical’s new cast.
Based on the gripping supernatural suspense manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, “Death Note” tells the story of Light Yagami, a brilliant teenager who discovers a mysterious notebook that grants him the power to kill anyone by writing their name within its pages.
Light embarks on a self-proclaimed mission to rid the world of criminals, leading to an intense cat-and-mouse game with the authorities and the enigmatic genius detective known only as L.
The musical adaptation, which first premiered in 2015, features a score by renowned American composer Frank Wildhorn, known for penning iconic songs for Whitney Houston (“Where Do Broken Hearts Go?”) and Natalie Cole.
The revival will see Tamiya Kuriyama, a respected figure in Japanese theatre, returning to direct.
Jack Murphy (lyrics) and Ivan Menchell (script), both veterans of the musical’s previous runs, are also back on board.
Kayoko Jo will handle translation, with Ako Takahashi overseeing lyrics translation.
The new cast bringing this dark and compelling story to life includes a talented ensemble (listed from left to right, top to bottom):
- Light Yagami: Kato Seishiro and Ao Watanabe (double cast)
- L: Hiroki Miura
- Misa Amane: Riho Sayashi
- Sayu Yagami: Riko (from J-pop group HUNNY BEE)
- Rem: Megumi Hamada (reprising her role from the 2015 debut)
- Ryuk: Kenji Urai (who played Light Yagami in the original 2015 production)
- Sōichirō Yagami: Kiyotaka Imai
The “Death Note” musical has enjoyed previous successful runs in Japan in 2017 and 2020, and even held a performance in London in 2023, showcasing its international appeal.
The original “Death Note” manga, which ran from 2003 to 2006, has spawned a significant multimedia franchise, including a popular 2006 television anime adaptation, live-action Japanese films (including sequels and a spin-off), a Japanese live-action television series, and a Netflix live-action film directed by Adam Wingard.
A new live-action adaptation by the Duffer Brothers (of “Stranger Things” fame) for Netflix was announced in 2022, further highlighting the enduring popularity of the source material.
A teaser trailer for the new performance has been released, which shows each announced cast member and also confirms the musical’s return for November 2025:
Specific performances dates have not yet been confirmed, but with a talented new cast and the return of key creative team members, the 10th-anniversary run of “Death Note” the Musical in Tokyo is highly anticipated by fans of the manga, anime, and musical theatre alike.
Source: Official Website
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