Death Note: The Musical – 10th anniversary Tokyo run

Death Note: The Musical will mark its 10th anniversary with a special run this November at Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall. Producer HoriPro confirms the show opens in November 2025 at the Brillia Hall (in Ikebukuro, Tokyo) as the kickoff to a wider tour. This commemorative staging reunites original stars and new cast members for a celebratory revival.The musical is based on the popular Death Note manga (by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata) and anime, a series that originally ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump (2003–2006) and spawned hit films and TV adaptations. Its story – about a student, Light Yagami, who finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it – made a cultural splash. Frank Wildhorn (composer of Jekyll & Hyde, Bonnie & Clyde) wrote the score with lyrics by Jack Murphy and a book by Ivan Menchell. Tokyo director Tamiya Kuriyama (known for intense psychological dramas on stage) helmed the original 2015 production and returns now.The musical premiered in Japan in April 2015 at Tokyo’s Nissay Theatre. It captivated audiences immediately, leading to major revivals in 2017 and 2020. From its first year, Death Note spread beyond Japan: a Korean-language production opened in Seoul in 2015 (with a local cast) and the show has continued there with multiple tours. Notably, a concert-version ran at London’s Palladium in 2023, extending the franchise’s reach to Europe. In each country, the show has been a hit – for example, the Korean runs sold out completely, winning the 2022 Korea Musical Awards’ Best Musical of the Year and mounting a record 4-month run in 2023. Overall, critics note that the musical “has gained a major fanbase in Japan and South Korea” and that the London concerts were “in high demand”.The anniversary production brings back original leads and new stars. Kenji Urai and Megumi Hamada – who originated the roles of Light Yagami and Rem in 2015 – return after eight years. (Urai now plays the Shinigami Ryuk, providing a fresh take on the cosmic figure that spawns the plot.) Light will be played by two young actors alternating performances: Kato Seishiro (a rising star from hits like Newsies and Future Boy Conan) and Watanabe Sō (recently seen in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). Vocalist Riho Sasayashi (formerly of idol group Morning Musume) plays Misa Amane, the pop-idol-turned-Shinigami-ally, while veteran actor Riko (from rock group HUNNY BEE) appears as Sayu Yagami, Light’s sister. The legendary Kuriyama returns to direct, with Wildhorn’s powerful rock score underscoring the show’s dark thrills. As a musical adaptation of Death Note, the show translates the manga’s complex themes of justice and power into song and dance. Its narrative and tone remain faithful to the original: the thriller’s moral questions are dramatized through songs that range from rock anthems to emotional ballads. Since debut, the musical has shown Death Note’s global influence: it not only toured Asia but also attracted Western attention. English-language concept albums and concert editions have built a cult following overseas, and the London Palladium concerts of 2023 sold out immediately. Theatre fans have praised the production values and score, noting that even newcomers can enjoy the story’s suspenseful plot when presented through Wildhorn’s music.Over the past decade, Death Note: The Musical has enjoyed strong fan support and generally positive reviews. In Japan and Korea, it was repeatedly labeled among the year’s most anticipated musicals, with advance buzz driving ticket sales. For example, every Korean run sold out well before opening night, reflecting enthusiastic fan interest. The show has won awards too (the 2022 Korean Best Musical award, for instance). Western critics have also taken note: reviewers of the London concerts highlighted the dynamic performances and sold-out crowds, even as they offered minor critiques on pacing. Fans frequently praise the cast’s vocals and the music; as one London reviewer put it, the score “really fizzes” in key numbers, and the show is a “thrill ride”. Overall, both fans and critics agree that the anniversary production is a major event – an exciting new chapter in the saga of Death Note.Death Note has been a phenomenon since it first appeared in manga form, influencing anime, film, and literature around the world. The musical adaptation has become part of that legacy by bringing the story to live audiences in a new medium. Over its 10-year history, Death Note: The Musical has become known as one of Japan’s successful original stage exports, demonstrating how pop-culture franchises can evolve. HoriPro calls this anniversary staging the culmination of ten years and “the dawn of a new legend”, reflecting how the show has captured imaginations globally. As the musical continues to tour, its creators and fans celebrate not just an anniversary, but the enduring impact of a story that has resonated across cultures for years.